The 2024 edition of IFTM Top Resa kicks off on 17 September. The final sprint is on...
Laurence Gaborieau - Yes, the timetable has changed due to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (JOP 2024), and in particular the Paralympic part organised from 28 August to 8 September. We therefore had to postpone and reorganise a number of shows. In this great game of dominoes, the date of theIFTM Top Resa 2024 has been put forward. That's the reality of the events business in Paris, which doesn't leave much room for manoeuvre because Paris is a big spot for organising trade shows.
Not to the point of considering a return to Deauville...
Laurence Gaborieau - Deauville is complicated because it's too small. But to tell you the truth, I dream of doing something there for the 50 years of the IFTM. The project is still rather vague, but organising something in Deauville for the 50th anniversary of the show could be an original idea to mark the occasion.
Apart from the timetable, what impact will Paris 2024 have had on this 2024 edition of IFTM Top Resa?
Laurence Gaborieau - Initially, we had the feeling that it would be complicated, particularly for the assembly part, with price increases, night work... We tried to anticipate as much as possible. The real problem has more to do with the current geopolitical situation, and the imperatives that this implies in terms of security. In the end, the Olympic Games should not disrupt our organisation that much. The event has generated a lot of excitement, and in terms of protocol, the Olympics have given us the opportunity to meet several foreign ministers.
What does 2024 look like in terms of exhibitors and visitors?
Laurence Gaborieau - The figures are very positive. We expect to welcome around 1500 exhibitors. As far as visitor numbers are concerned, we don't really want to see a marked increase. We're really focusing on the quality aspect. The business meetings are also going very well. It's a show where everyone knows each other to some extent, so the meetings weren't necessarily planned in advance. Now, people have got into the habit of using the appointment-setting platform, which generates a better ROI by optimising the time spent at the show to plan effective meetings and take advantage of the excellent conference programme, particularly in the business travel section.
The Business Club quickly sold out. Is a larger area in the pipeline?
Laurence Gaborieau - I think that will be an objective, yes. We've already increased the surface area of the Business Club by almost 15%. It's a space that's alive and kicking, with travel managers and the entire business travel ecosystem in attendance, and there's a great deal of energy, all in a top-of-the-range space.
What are the aims of the new technology area being set up this year?
Laurence Gaborieau - We have created a new immersive zone. It will include taking the mystery out of artificial intelligence. The immersive journey will use technologies such as Apple glasses, holograms and the solution developed by La Vitre. Eight workshops will showcase different examples of the use of AI. I'm convinced that we can't think about travel without technology. AI and digitisation will be the levers for managing issues such as over-tourism and simplifying the journey for business travellers. There will be some great innovations at this year's show, all the more so because of the legacy of the Olympic Games, with innovations in flow management, for example. We'll be looking back at what worked and what didn't work so well. But on the whole, while everyone was afraid when the Olympic Games were organised, today everyone is happy with them. And the legacy is bound to be positive in everyday life.
Could you tell us a bit more about the theme chosen for IFTM Top Resa 2024?
Laurence Gaborieau - By choosing the " New sustainable horizons, combining our responsibilities "we wanted using collective intelligence to meet today's challenges, particularly in terms of eco-responsibility and inclusion. The notion of responsibility is often perceived negatively. To be responsible is above all to have a conscience. We have the right to make mistakes, but when we take action, as a company, as a travel manager or as a travel agent, we must be responsible. The conferences organised during this IFTM Top Resa 2024 have been designed with this in mind: to facilitate collective intelligence.
- Meet the teams from Business Travel during theIFTM Top Resa 2024at stand J001
