Networking is a crucial part of any business, and events play a definitive role in this context. Especially in the Hospitality sector, where competition is heavy and hotel technology evolves every day. Attending conferences, events and trade shows therefore gives hoteliers that extra edge in terms of interacting with industry giants, networking with peers from across the world and generally, staying on top of trends that define the season.
In this blog, we discuss some of the top, must-attend trade shows and events for hoteliers to make the most of 2019. Read on…
Event 1: ITB
What is it about:
ITB is one of the biggest Travel and Hospitality trade shows that takes place annually across Europe and Asia. The individual events are ITB Berlin, ITB Asia – Singapore and ITB Shanghai – China.
This is an event where top-level decision makers, industry experts, buyers, vendors and professionals of all levels come together from touristic areas across the world. Hotels, tour operators, tourism organizations, travel agencies, transport companies, booking portals, technology providers and everyone else in between come together to complete the picture for travel and hospitality industry.
When does it take place:
This year’s ITB Berlin will take place from the 6th to 10th of March between 10 am and 6 pm.
Who can attend:
Anybody who associated with travel or hospitality industry in any capacity – hoteliers, service providers, technology providers, students and influencers.
Where is it held:
Berlin, Germany
What to expect:
Great insights from some of the leading minds of the travel and hospitality industry are in store for all attendees. You will also get to meet vendors of all services relevant to the industry, chat with some of the exhibitors, interact with fellow industry-professionals and soak in cultures from across the globe who might put up a show or two!
Hotelogix will be participating at the ITB Berlin as it has been for the past few years. Get ready to come see us at our stand! Stay tuned for more.
Event 2: World Travel Market
What is it about:
The World Trade Market has been synonymous with Travel and Hospitality Trade events since its first show in 1080. Since then, it has come to become one of the most successful trade shows with over $7 bn of industry leads facilitated annually. WTM hosts individual Travel trade shows across the globe.
When and where:
This year WTM London is scheduled to take place from the 4th to 6th of November
Arabian Travel Market, Dubai will be held between the 28th of April and the 1st of May
WTM Latin America will take place at Sao Paulo from the 2nd to the 4th of April
Cape Town will host the WTM Africa between the 10th and 12th of April.
Who can attend:
Exhibitors and vendors from over more than 50 categories of the travel and hospitality sector, Tourism Ministers from across the world, Travel trade professionals of all ranks and roles, Buyers, Students of the hospitality, travel industry and Media.
What to expect:
Last year’s WTM London alone witnessed a record participation over 51,000 participants from around the world. Prepare to run into the who’s who of the Hospitality and Travel industry from Ministers to CEOs to Proprietors. This is a huge networking opportunity for anyone trying to reach out to the fraternity at large and to learn, to explore, to discover, to connect and to network.
Event 3: HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC)
What is it about:
HSMAI is a global organization of sales, marketing and revenue management professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. Founded in the Unites States in 1027, HSMAI is an individual member organization comprising of nearly 7000 members from 35 countries and chapters worldwide. Annually, HSMAI organizes multiple events the world over, helping hospitality professionals address and resolve various aspects of their business.
The Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) has been one of the leading events in the hospitality space for the last 15 years where
When and where:
HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Conference will be held on the 18th and 19th of June, 2019 at Minneapolis, Minnesota in the USA.
Who can attend:
This event is a most-attend for hotel owners of group and chain properties as it brings together over 650 key stakeholders who address the most critical trends affecting hotel revenue management today.
What to expect:
This is where senior leaders in hotel revenue management connect and engage in insightful discussions and conversations about the most pressing and strategic challenges that they are faced with. Faculty members and Doctoral students are given the opportunity to present their research as well network with their peers.
The other noteworthy event that you might want to watch out for this year is:
- HITEC
Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) is the world’s oldest and largest hospitality technology show which takes place at multiple locations around the world. From Dubai to the US to Spain, HITEC is one of the most sought-after events in the hospitality space. It brings the industry’s most influential visionaries and all the state-of-the-art technology from around the world, under one roof.
Source 1 – ITB travel
Source 2 – WTM website
Source 3 – Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
Source 4 – HFTP