CONFERENCE
TBTC'21
RECONNECT, RESET, RESTART With just days to go until The Business Travel Conference 2021, here's a reminder of what's in store...
Long-awaited and much-needed, The Business Travel Conference is back for 2021 and promises to be one of the most memorable in its 15-year history. The intimate event, with a maximum of 200 buyer delegates, is being held at the Hilton London Bankside on September 14-15 with a top line-up of speakers and a programme packed full of content that will help you and your travellers get back to business travel. With a theme of ‘Reconnect, Reset, Restart’, the event will kick off with a keynote speech from MP Stephen Hammond, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) dedicated to business travel. Delegates will then hear from industry leaders, including Ian Sinderson, CEO of ATPI, and James Parkhouse, CEO of Agiito (formerly Capita Travel and Events), and Dave Bishop, CCO Gray Dawes Group, who will set the scene before the
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conference sessions begin. Programme highlights include a Back to the Futurethemed immersive experience, with headline sponsors Blue Cube Travel, where delegates will step into Doc Brown's time machine for an unforgettable journey back to the origins of business travel and into its future. Alongside lively and engaging sessions, there'll be plenty of time for the networking that we've all missed so much during the pandemic and exhibitors representing all corners of the sector are looking forward to meeting you and updating you about their products and services.
Peace of mind
With the safety and comfort of visitors in mind, the conference organisers and the Hilton London Bankside have put a number of measures in place. Hilton is continuing to implement EventReady, its stringent global meetings and events programme designed to create event experiences that are clean, flexible, safe and socially responsible. This includes room seals for guest and meeting rooms, sanitising stations in public areas and meeting spaces and an EventReady Room Checklist. Hilton Bankside staff will continue to wear masks throughout the conference and will also be taking regular voluntary lateral flow tests. There will be numerous
hand sanitisation stations positioned throughout the venue and attendees will be encouraged to use them frequently.
Speedy arrivals
To minimise queuing and speed up the arrivals process, conference registration will be open an hour early each morning (8am) and registration teams have been expanded. Registration teams and all conference staff will wear masks when interacting with attendees and will also take daily lateral flow tests in the run-up to and during the event. Attendees will also be asked to take a voluntary lateral flow test prior to attending.
The right signals
In order to meet different levels of comfort with regards to social distancing, visitors to the conference will be offered optional wristbands in three colours, based on a traffic light theme. Wearing a green wristband will indicate to others that you're comfortable with hugs and physical contact, amber will show that any greetings should be restricted to fist or elbow pumps, while red signals that you're comfortable to chat but prefer to avoid any physical contact. Wristbands can be changed during the conference. “We hope this will help all attendees relax and respect comfort levels and avoid any awkward moments!” says Kirsty Hicks, Publisher and Head of Business Travel for event organisers BMI Publishing.
Risk factors
In collaboration with the Hilton London Bankside, a full risk assessment has been completed for the event. The hotel has an NHS check-in/check-out code displayed at the entrance to the property and if anyone presents with Covid symptoms at the conference there are plans in place to protect them and others from the risk of transmission.
Double celebration
All of the safety measures outlined here will also apply to the conference refreshment breaks, lunches and evening events. On the first night, delegates will be able to catch up with friends and colleagues over drinks and canopés and, for the first time, the Business Travel People Awards will be held on the evening of the second day of the conference. There's so much to catch up on and we can't wait to see you there. thebusinesstravelconference.com
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
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