Of all the various events at the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin, the ITB Electronic Congress is the one…
Of all the various events at the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin, the ITB Electronic Congress is the one with the longest tradition and it has now undergone a thorough overhaul. Its subject matter has been completely restructured for the ITB 2003. It has also acquired a new name and a new venue, and the entire programme has been revised too.
The editorial team has abandoned the name Electronic Congress, which has been used for the past 24 years, replacing it with the new title ITB Travel Technology – Congress and Exhibition. The intention is to emphasis the closer links with the section of the ITB Berlin that is devoted to the subject of Travel Technology. In future this congress, with sections focusing on Information Technology, Multimedia and Reservation Systems, will occupy Hall 7.1 a, immediately adjacent to the ITB Travel Technology Halls (7.1 b, 7.1 c, 6.1 and part of Hall 8.1). The purpose of this re-organisation is to enable exhibitors and trade visitors at the ITB Berlin to attend the groups of lectures that are of particular interest to them without having to walk long distances around the Exhibition Grounds. Exhibitors displaying IT products and services, along with trade visitors, can register directly in Hall 7.1 a.
Like the fair itself, the timing of this congress has also been altered. In a break with tradition the opening event will be held on a Sunday for the first time (9 March): at 2 p.m. Stefan Pichler, Chairman of the Board of Thomas Cook AG, will give a general introduction outlining the dominant trends in the present day travel and IT sector. The events taking place during the subsequent days have been made more concise. There will now be just six sessions, and consequently these will be accompanied by fewer papers. All the speakers can again be heard at the closing session on Tuesday, 11 March, when they will review the main points once again
The normal services available to participants in the fair will be augmented by the accompanying exhibition in Hall 7.1 b.
ITB Berlin 2003 will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds and in the ICCD Berlin from 7 to 11 March.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
