The second Business Travel Show Dubai, taking place from October 20 to 21, 2008, will see more exhibitors, a wider range of products and a comprehensive seminar programme, all aimed at maximising on business travel opportunities in the Middle East.
The show, which this year will be held at the Madinat Jumeriah Arena, launched in October last year. It provides a unique platform for suppliers of all aspects of business travel, while also affording its visitors - buyers and bookers of business travel and meetings - opportunities to reduce their business travel costs.
New exhibitors already signed for this year’s event include PrivatAir, HRS, EMAAR Hospitality, Kanoo and Rotana Hotels.
“This year’s show promises a broader spread of exhibitors from airlines and hotels, to corporate cards, chauffeur drive and car rental,” said Sally Maltby, event director, Centaur Exhibitions, organiswers of Business Travel Dubai.
Dnata, Alshamel, InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton, Virgin, SilverJet and Jumeirah are among those that have already booked space for the exhibition. British Airways, one of the founding partners of the event, has also pledged its commitment to the 2008 event.
“The debut Business Travel Show last year allowed British Airways to showcase our new Club World product to the region’s business travel market and it was a really good opportunity to meet travel buyers from across the region. This year, however, we want to continue showcasing and demonstrating the value of our industry leading business products.
These include both hard products, such as our Club World and FIRST Class cabins, and specific service related products, such as our small business loyalty programme – OnBusiness, our dedicated account management for important large corporate customers and our new Terminal 5 home at London Heathrow,” said Paul Starrs, British Airways’ Commercial Manager Middle East.
Over 50 exhibitors took part in the inaugural event, while more than 2,000 visitors attended Business Travel Show Dubai 2007 across the two days and Centaur Exhibitions predict strong growth for the 2008 event.
A new format educational programme, in association with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), will offer interactive and strategic sessions for corporate travel and meetings buyers.
“Our seminar speakers are experts in buying and managing business travel and our educational sessions will help visitors to improve their skills and knowledge of business travel buying, managing and arranging,” Maltby adds.