EUROPE - World Travel Market (WTM) is introducing an extra Speed Networking Thursday event in an attempt to drive more industry business at its 2012 edition at Excel London in November 2012.

Speed Networking was introduced at WTM 2009 and, organisers claim, led to an increase in the amount of business WTM generates for the travel and tourism industry. WTM 2011 was responsible for £1.5m in travel industry deals, a 16 per cent increase on the previous event.

Over 200 buyers and 438 exhibitors took part in the Speed Networking event at WTM 2011, with the event taking place on the Monday morning before the exhibition opened to give buyers and exhibitors more time to discuss and conclude business deals.

The WTM Meridian Club Networking Breakfast was introduced on the final morning at WTM 2011 to give buyers and exhibitors an informal opportunity to discuss business deals with new contacts.

For WTM 2012, the Networking Breakfast will be followed by the WTM Speed Networking Thursday event.

"WTM Speed Networking has been a great success since it was introduced in 2010," says Reed Travel Exhibitions' Director of WTM, Simon Press. "Both exhibitors and WTM Meridan Club buyers have embraced the concept of quick initial business meetings to discover if there is an opportunity for further detailed discussions."

WTM 2012 takes place at Excel London, 5-8 November.

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