Messe Berlin ITB Convention

PhoCusWright@ITB Berlin - 11-12 MARCH 2009

PhoCusWright will once again produce a conference-in-a-conference in conjunction with ITB Berlin. PhoCusWright@ITB, now in its fourth year, is a notable gathering that has outgrown the location in Hall 7.1b where it has been for the past three years and is expanding upstairs to Hall 7.3, Europa.

This special event offers unique features of distinct benefit to delegates, sponsors and speakers: a pioneering program designed by PhoCusWright's analysts and produced with our high standards along with an unusual community setting within ITB where like-minded people can interact. PhoCusWright gatherings are distinguished by the senior level of attendees and speakers, the strategic presentation and analysis of trends, the high production value of the proceedings, the savvy audience armed with questions, and the probing perseverance of PhoCusWright analysts who skillfully moderate all the sessions. 

The program calls for speakers to explain travel technology in business terms for business people. Sales, marketing and business development professionals in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry learn how to leverage advancements in technology for revenue gains, margin improvements and operational efficiencies. The conference theme, "Expanding E-Travel Across Europe," makes travel technology relevant for everybody! Attendance affords a rare opportunity to gain insight into simplifying the complex world of travel technology and exploiting industry dynamics for competitive advantage. PhoCusWright@ITB allows attendees to take refuge from the hectic, sometimes over-stimulating ITB experience and accomplish even more while in Berlin.

EXPANDING E-TRAVEL ACROSS EUROPE

The last several years witnessed fundamental shifts from the supply and demand sides of the many markets comprising Europe’s travel industry. New technologies, new travelers and new challenges combine to create unprecedented new opportunities.

Today, more than a quarter (28%) of European travel is booked online, and posed to surpass one-third by 2010, according to research figures from PhoCusWright’s European Online Travel Overview Fourth Edition. European online total gross bookings are projected to grow by more than 15% over the next two years, surpassing €90 billion in 2010. And, 70% of travelers say they are interested in buying travel online in the next 12 months, according to PhoCusWright’s European Consumer Travel Trends Survey.

Technology’s ongoing impact on travel distribution – planning, sharing, purchasing, memorializing – is so significant that the entire program is dedicated to the potential of confluent forces: technology and business. This year’s conference theme is “Expanding E-Travel Across Europe.” The speakers will focus on how business objectives are achieved (directly or indirectly) through good technology execution. Getting technology right is mission critical to travel, tourism and hospitality success. 

A prestigious roster of senior travel executives will take the stage along with industry pioneers and thought leaders in a collection of keynote addresses, talkback sessions, executive roundtables, case studies, exclusive interviews, "five minutes of fame" and point/counterpoints. This distinguished peer group will project to a savvy, influential and connected audience; discussion and debate will explore how regional and global firms seize opportunities before they are too expensive, too competitive and too late.

Interested in speaking at PhoCusWright@ITB? More Information