Road, Rail and Air – all routes will lead to Best of Britain & Ireland at the NEC, Birmingham, on 14 and 15 March next year, as the organisers, Expo Management have announced the latest support for the industry’s showcase event for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Cadbury World stand at BoBI 2011
In addition to the already announced ‘BoBI Express’ – six daily coach services from a range of UK destinations bringing trade visitors to the event on both days – Virgin Trains and Birmingham Airport have added their endorsement of their support for the tourism industry’s premiere domestic trade show.
Birmingham Airport have announced their support for Best of Britain & Ireland’s ‘International Hosted Buyers programme’ which will see around 100 key travel agents and tour operators from USA, Canada, France, Germany and Ireland attend the two day trade show meeting and doing business with the 300 plus exhibitors.
In addition to the arranged one to one meetings, the overseas buyers will experience dining in the new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse in the prestigious new ‘Cube’ building in central Birmingham, and, with exhibitors, attend the Networking and Gala at the Hilton Metropole hotel at the NEC.
“These are key overseas markets for the UK and Ireland tourism industry, and we are delighted that Birmingham Airport has agreed to support this important initiative, ensuring our exhibitors get face to face with these important international buyers.” said BoBI Event Director Sam Warnock.
“We are delighted to support the continued hosting of BoBI in the Midlands and the opportunity it gives us all to promote both our region and Britain and Ireland to key travel trade buyers from overseas.” said Birmingham Airport Marketing Manager Beth Gawthorpe.
As well as sponsoring the overseas buyers programme, Birmingham Airport will also be the top line sponsor of the North American Travel Trade Symposium, being organised by Paull Tickner & Associates on the day before Best of Britain & Ireland opens.
Up to four key North American industry speakers will brief exhibitors on the latest travel trade developments in North America, and give the inside track on how to target the lucrative North American visitor audience.
Virgin Trains have also announced their support for Best of Britain & Ireland, by providing a special ‘press carriage’ to bring travel journalists from London to Birmingham on the opening day.
“We are working with the British Guild of Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers Alliance to invite key industry press to BoBI 2012. This support from Virgin Trains is crucial in ensuring we have the crème de la crème of travel writers attend and meet face to face with attractions, accommodation providers and destinations to get the latest tourism news and developments, and in turn, get that information out to their readers.” added Sam Warnock.
“Virgin Trains is delighted to be working with BoBI in helping travel journalists visit this prestigious trade exhibition” said Jim Rowe, Senior Communications Manager at Virgin Trains, “It’s absolutely right that travel providers should come together to assist in promoting the very best that Great Britain plc has to offer visitors.”
“This terrific support from the transport sector for Best of Britain & Ireland is fantastic,” concluded Sam Warnock. “Many more agreements are in the pipeline, and we look forward to announcing these in the coming weeks. Support from the tourism industry has been phenomenal to date, both in terms of exhibitor sign up and industry support, and with visitor registration going live in the New Year, we are on track to deliver a successful event for exhibitors and visitors alike”.
