Organiser of the Group Leisure & Travel Show, Sharon Yandell, updates us on this year’s event and why it’s set to be another great day for GTOs, coach operators and the travel trade.
The GLT Show takes place on 5th October at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. How are preparations going?
Things are going well and we’re working hard to ensure we deliver a great day for our visitors and exhibitors.
We have more exhibitors booked than at this point last year, so I’d like to think that reflects an event that delivers for all concerned. Plus, there is new lighting within the Marshall Arena that will make the venue brighter so everything will look even better.
What was the feedback from last year’s event?
We were delighted with the results of our visitor and exhibitor feedback surveys following last year’s show. 95% of visitors said their show experience was good or very good and 98% said their visit gave them good ideas. Plus, 95% of exhibitors said they met the right type of people and 95% said the show produced good leads for groups business.
But also, the GLT Show ranked most popular exhibition to visit for group travel ideas and contacts in the 2023 ‘Organising Group Trips & Holidays’ survey which, as you can imagine, we were delighted to see.
The Seminar Theatre is always popular. Who’s speaking this time?
Visitors tell us that one of the reasons they visit is to see great speakers such as Simon Calder. He is always popular and is a good friend of Group Leisure & Travel.
This year, Simon will be joined by Gardeners’ World presenter, Frances Tophill who’s unsurprisingly going to talk about… garden visits. Plus, we have TV presenter, Matt Allwright who is best known for appearing on The One Show, Rogue Traders and Watchdog.
Matt is going to be giving his insights and tips on avoiding travel scams and how to travel safely. They’re set to be another three great sessions everyone can attend and enjoy.
Tell us about some of the exhibitors that have confirmed they will be at this year’s show…
The show works so well for group travel organisers, as well as coach operators, because we showcase a fantastic variety of specialist exhibitors that really understand groups. This year is no different. We have Ambassador Cruise Line, Disney Tickets, Chester Zoo, Brighton i360, Great West Way, HF Holidays, Malta Tourist Office, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Aerospace Bristol, to name just a few.
You can see full details on the website. There’s still nothing like discussing ideas and requirements face-to-face and building those relationships.
The show has been staged at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes since 2019. Has the move worked well?
The overall feedback has been very positive. In fact, 100% of exhibitors who completed our 2022 feedback survey said they liked the Marshall Arena venue, and 92% of visitors surveyed said they would visit the exhibition again if it was held there.
It’s easy and hassle-free, whereas some venues have poor infrastructure or are just too big, or the parking is costly and far away. A visitor and exhibitor experience starts on arrival and so we want to ensure their experience begins well.
The Group Leisure & Travel Show takes place on Thursday 5th October 2023 at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.
Entry is free and visitor registration is now open at grouptravelshow.com/register.
For information about who is exhibiting and speaking, and to see floorplans together with options and details of how to exhibit go to grouptravelshow.com. You can also telephone Sharon Yandell on 01908 613323 or send an email to sharon.y@yandellmedia.com.
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