This year will be WTM London’s 40th anniversary, and they have pulled out all of the stops. The event is set to run from 2nd November to the 4th November, with an additional date added (6th November) to celebrate WTM’s fortieth anniversary.
WTM London launched in 1980 and has since played host to hundreds of tourism boards, travel operators, hospitality providers, and numerous members of the British royal family. The event has run annually for over forty years and made its way through iconic London venues such as Olympia, Earls Court and ExCel London.
Here at Quadrant2Design, we look forward to the three-day event each year. Over 5,000 exhibitors come together from all over the world to showcase some of the biggest travel brands and destinations. ExCel London is the perfect venue for an event of this scale, situated in the heart of the UK’s business and travel community.
This year will be WTM London’s 40th anniversary, and they have pulled out all of the stops. The event is set to run from 2nd November to the 4th November, with an additional date added (6th November) to celebrate WTM’s fortieth anniversary.
The question is, will it go ahead? According to Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director of WTM, the show must go on.
The organisers of the World Travel Market London are still charging ahead with their planning, despite no confirmation from the government that the event will be allowed to go ahead. Currently, no business events are allowed to commence, with gatherings of 30 or more people illegal unless under specific circumstances.
Across Europe we’ve seen these restrictions lifted, allowing business events to take place with social distancing measures in place. Simon Press and the WTM London team are confident that the same will soon happen in the UK. They are currently working closely with Public and Private Sector sponsors to make sure the event can run safely according to the government and UFI guidance whilst providing the experience that we have all missed.
Already, we have seen a series of webinars and virtual events come from WTM London. The team are working on creating value for those who have already faced an extremely difficult period. Now, businesses are keen to get back on the trade show floor.
This year, exhibitors from a broad range of travel sectors have already booked their space, including those from businesses such as:
• Venues
• Airlines
• Destinations
• Event Management Companies
• National Tourism Organisations
• Hotels
• And so many more
The event will also be attended by over 3,000 journalists looking to get the inside scoop on the innovations in the travel and tourism industry.
Trade shows are a fantastic place to showcase your product, whether it’s a destination, hotel chain or online booking system. Visitors have already expressed an interest in your industry, often having intentions of finding a new supplier. Exhibiting at WTM London is a great way to get your brand in front of a highly targeted audience.
Using a custom modular exhibition stand is an effective way to stand out on the trade show floor. With so many exhibitors, visitors and journalists in attendance it is important to make a big impression. But of all the cancelled and postponed events, why are we so confident that WTM London will go ahead as planned in November?
For forty years, businesses in the travel and tourism industry have seen WTM London as an opportunity. They have no intention of giving up without a fight this year. We know that they won’t let you down.
The event organisers are working tirelessly around the clock, adapting to any new information that is being drip-fed to us by our government. They find themselves in unknown waters when it comes to hosting a socially distanced event, but if anyone can achieve it – they can!
The final concern many exhibitors and attendees are facing is travel. With all but essential travel still discouraged in the UK, will restrictions be lifted in time to make WTM London accessible to an international audience?
Hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars have been given the green light to reopen. Within the first week, they welcomed thousands of visitors through their doors. The social distancing measures that have been put in place are working and we are beginning to see domestic travel rebound.
This, surely, is a positive sign for attendees and organisers of WTM London.
Indeed, the event will likely look different. Without official guidelines in place, it is impossible to say how business events will run when they are given the green light. What we do know is that Simon Press and his expert team of organisers will not let the travel and tourism industry down.
If you’re thinking of exhibiting at WTM London, get in touch to start designing your exhibition stand. We can’t wait to see you there.
