World Travel Market expanded Technology and Online Travel seminar program

World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event for the travel industry, has organized a high-profile line up for its expanded Technology and Online Travel (TOT) seminar program including speakers from lastminute.com, Google, Yahoo!, TripAdvisor, and British Airways.

The TOT program takes place throughout Tuesday, November 8, in the Platinum Suite 1 for the first time. The program profile has been increased by its move to the Platinum Suites, reflecting the 40% increase in the TOT region on the exhibition floor for WTM 2011.

The sessions – which are hosted by travel technology consultancy Genesys Senior Partner Paul Richer - will now be able to accommodate 250 people compared to previous years where the maximum number was 180.

Google Head of Travel Nate Bucholz and Yahoo! UK & Ireland Account Manager Jon Myers will kick off the program in the Search Engine Update session at 11:00 am. They are joined by Stickyeyes Sales Director Paul Hill.

The Content Counts session, which outlines what content should be on a travel website, includes the opinions of 3rd Planet CEO Terence Mak and Frommer’s Unlimited EMEA Director Giles Longhurst. It is followed at 2:00 pm by Making the most of Social Media, including TrustYou CEO and Co-founder Ben Jost, PR company Four BGB’s Debbie Hindle, and a representative from TripAdvisor.

Lastminute.com Head of Mobile David Slocombe and BA Technical Innovations Manager Chris Carmichael are taking part in the Mobile Development seminar at 3:30 pm alongside Foutune Cookie Media Managing Director Justin Cooke.

The day is rounded off by Richer’s Online Essentials session at 5:00 pm, which will look at how to monetize social media and mobile platforms.

World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “The Technology and Online Travel seminar program has always been one [of] the most popular, with many sessions standing room only.

“Furthermore, there is a full program of content in the Technology Presentation Theatre on the exhibition floor.

“This year’s program is as strong as ever with many high-profile speakers taking part. We anticipate the program will be even more popular this year with a 40% increase in floor space for the TOT region."

Source - eturbonews