Specialists in destination marketing and new technologies from national tourism organisations (NTOs) all over Europe are gathering in Lillehammer from 17th to 19th September at the e-Business Academy, a conference organised by the European Travel Commission (ETC) in association with Innovation Norway.

With tourism technologies developing rapidly, Europe's NTOs are at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the continent's many world-beating destinations and attractions capitalise on the many opportunities that they create.

ETC's annual e-Business Academy is a key date in the NTOs' calendar. Organised by one of ETC's strategic advisory groups, the Marketing and Technology Network (MTN), it gives NTOs the chance to share practical experience and professional insights with each other and with leading representatives of the commercial sector. It is the only event of its kind to be organised specifically for national tourism organisations.

This year's academy has attracted an impressive array of speakers from the commercial sector. The keynote speech will be given by Rebecca Jennings, Principal Analyst for Forrester Research, the leading research company that focusses on the business implications of technological change. Delegates will also hear presentations from Dennis Funch Jensen, the e-Business Director of the Rezidor Hotel Group, and four of the event's commercial sponsors: ASOMO, New Mind Internet Solutions, WAYN.com and Wilken.

A fifth company, Webconomy, has been so impressed by the e-Business Academy in its two previous years of sponsorship that it is sponsoring the event even though it is unable to be in Lillehammer on these dates. Wilken is sponsor for the third successive year.

All companies are leaders in their field, offering services of direct relevance and value to the online marketing programmes run by national tourism organisations.

Rob Franklin, ETC's Executive Director, said, "This is another excellent programme for our members and the MTN is to be congratulated on its achievement. The interest of commercial companies in joining us and sponsoring the event is very encouraging, and demonstrates the importance they attach to the work of ETC and its members."