Speed Networking will now take place as one hour-long session before the exhibition opens on Monday, November 7 at 9:00 am–10:00 am in Platinum Suite 3 and 4.

Previously, Speed Networking took place in five sessions – based around the regions of the exhibition - throughout the first day of World Travel Market.

The change increases the amount of time at the event for exhibitors and Meridian Club members to carry on and conclude negotiations that start in the Speed Networking session.

Crucially, it also allows exhibitors to remain on their stands throughout the first day of WTM – conducting even more business with Meridian Club buyers.

WTM 2010 was the catalyst for a record £1,425 million in travel and tourism industry deals – a 25% increase on the £1,139 million generated by WTM 2009.

World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “Speed Networking has been a great success since World Travel Market introduced it in 2009.

“Independent research revealed WTM 2010 generated a record £1,425 million in industry deals, with Speed Networking playing a crucial role.

“With the changes to this year’s Speed Networking, which will give exhibitors and Meridian Club buyers even more time to conduct and conclude business deals and allow exhibitors even greater time on their stands, I would hope WTM 2011 will be the catalyst for a greater amount of travel industry deals than ever before.”

City.Mobi

Also in Europe today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to London.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

London.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.