Changes are taking place at THETRADESHOW in Las Vegas this September. Among the most notable is that this year, trade show hours have been condensed and educational seminars have been scheduled so that they will not…
Changes are taking place at THETRADESHOW in Las Vegas this September. Among the most notable is that this year, trade show hours have been condensed and educational seminars have been scheduled so that they will not overlap with trade show floor hours, allowing exhibitors and agents the chance to focus their attention on business networking and education, respectively, without sacrificing time for the other as the organizer said. Additional changes include a separate (and optional) consumer day, the introduction of theme-based education days and special booking incentives for travel agents, including specially priced post-trips, as well as complimentary Las Vegas show tickets and monorail passes.
“While last year’s inaugural event was successful, the decision was made to further enhance the program for 2007,” said William Maloney, CTC, ASTA executive vice president and COO. “Based on the feedback we received from attendees, exhibitors and the Show Board, we are confident these changes will provide more value to participants–travel retailers and exhibitors, alike.”
To draw travel retailers from every sector, each day of this year’s show will feature education highlighting specific themes: Home-Based, Business and Technology, Niche, Cruise, Luxury and Destination. Through specialized seminars and education, travel sellers will gain the knowledge to increase their profits.
For exhibitors, THETRADESHOW format has been re-designed to give them the more time with travel sellers, helping them generate new leads and establish new business relationships. This year with new, shorter trade show hours, educational seminars will be held before and after the trade show, rather than concurrently, allowing for increased trade show floor traffic. Exhibitors also will now have two full days for pre-scheduled, one-on-one appointments with travel retailers, wholesalers, tour operators and other exhibitors.
Unlike last year, this year’s consumer day will be a separate event and optional for suppliers. THETRADESHOW has partnered with Prestige Travel American Express, a Las Vegas travel agency.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
