Business Travel Summit London 2018 — 4 opportunities for SME suppliers

When you consider all of the short- and long-haul corporate travel trips taken each year, it’s easy to calculate that the business travel industry is big business.

And on 17 October 2018, London’s Business Design Centre will be bustling with buyers, suppliers and expert speakers attending the Business Travel Summit.

With ample speed meetings, sessions and dedicated conference streams, it’s an opportunity for suppliers of all sizes to flex their expert muscles in front of major buyers from the media, public sector and corporate world.

If you’re thinking of attending, here are four opportunities for SME suppliers.

1. Data protection

With the introduction of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and changes to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), travel marketers are experiencing a tension between providing personalised customer interactions and protecting privacy.

So a data protection e-learning provider like Cylix attending the summit’s data privacy session might connect with large organisations looking for a way to increase awareness amongst all staff in a cost-effective manner.

2. Accommodation

After corporate travel buyers have sourced the best deals on air travel, making appropriate arrangements for accommodation can often be complex.

It’s important to provide staff with clean and comfortable accommodation that isn’t overly expensive, and some thrifty firms even ask executives to share rooms when possible.

So a serviced apartment operator like Urban Stay with a range of quality properties across London might enable firms to implement accommodation policies that are acceptable to employees and their accounts departments alike.

3. Digital

With workshops on using data intelligently in business travel, travel payments in a virtual world, predictive data and developing a business travel tech roadmap, there’s a significant focus on all things digital at this year’s Business Travel Summit.

So lots of buyers will probably be interested in travel apps, online booking tools, digital marketing and accurate analytics.

With that in mind, an expert website development and search marketing agency like Attercopia should find it reasonably easy to connect with buyers looking to benefit from their digital savvy.

4. Ground transport

The traditional corporate ground transportation market has been disrupted in recent years by usurpers like Uber, Lyft and Sidecar.

And the ways these firms seamlessly integrate with mobile technology to offer cheap and reliable services means they’re hard to compete with.

However, an executive coach and limo firm like Swans Travel might still convince buyers that vehicle comfort and safety and experienced drivers combine to make their old-school offering preferable.

These themes represent just four prime picks for SME suppliers looking to connect with their next big contractors — there are also seminars on subjects like blockchain, risk management and loyalty rewards.

So attending the Business Travel Summit 2018 might prove to be a springboard for the future success of your small or medium business.

Tell us what aspects of the Business Travel Summit you’re looking forward to in the comments section.