CMW recently previewed the ITB Berlin Convention, 8-10 March 2021, and Digital Business Day, 17 March, which both occurred virtually from the Messe Berlin Studio. Click here to read the feature in the CMW March/ April 2022 Magazine.
ITB Berlin Convention, the world’s largest tourism trade show, is set to take place virtually, broadcast from the Messe Berlin Studio, Germany, 8-10 March 2021. This will be followed by the Digital Business Day, 17 March, where buyers and exhibitors will be able to exchange ideas and network online.
Staying virtual
Messe Berlin made the decision to continue with the originally planned dates, albeit through a virtual format, owing to the importance of holding the convention for the travel and tourism industry just before the integral summer months.
Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin, explained: “The annual dates of ITB Berlin are deliberately chosen as our customers mostly do business now or around March. For this reason, we are strengthening the digital elements of ITB Berlin at the ITB Berlin Convention and Digital Business Day.”
ITB Berlin will use Slide, the Q&A and polling platform, that enables interaction between both the audience and the speakers. It will be possible to ask questions, which will be addressed by the moderator in the respective session.
What to look forward to?
This year’s ITB Berlin Convention is focusing its attention on digital, sustainable and resilient solutions.
On the first day the emphasis will be on ‘future and resilience’, highlighting the mega trends in industry and society and key topics concerning the global travel and tourism industry.
Day two will be devoted to eTravel and the topic of digitisation, which received a huge boost during the pandemic.
On the final day, the topic of ‘responsible tourism’ will be discussed, looking into climate change, environmental protection, responsible tourism and sustainable solutions.
The Digital Business Day
The Digital Business Day, 17 March, will be a virtual platform which aims to act as a catalyst for business networking. The event will be supported by the IPK’s World Travel Monitor, an annual survey examining global outbound travel volume and behaviour, which will provide global trends and forecasts for 2022.
David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, commented: “It will be a major attraction for the global tourism community. It is offering tourism market professionals and providers worldwide an opportunity to network from anywhere around the globe. It also gives companies sponsorship options, as there are no virtual display areas.”
All users can list their business interests in advance, based on which they’ll receive personalised contact suggestions to conduct audio-video meetings with. They can also take part in two one-hour Speed Networking sessions at which, based on their interests, they’ll automatically be assigned several meeting partners.
