Routes turns up the gaugWhile this year's World Route Development Forum in Vancouver is roughly on a par in size with the Beijing meeting 12 months ago, event organisers are pointing to a higher number and more senior airline and airport delegates this time around.
"In terms of the size it will be similar to Beijing, both in the venue size and also the number of delegates," explains Routes managing director Nigel Mayes. "Where we are probably stronger is we are certainly getting more airline delegates than last year." At least 450 airline delegates from over 250 airlines have registered for the Vancouver show. "The airlines have found it to be an attractive destination, easy to get to, so our core airline and airport delegate numbers will be stronger."
He also points to the impact of the accompanying conferences which include a high-level programme at the ICAO/World Bank/Routes Global Aviation Strategy Summit 2010 (formerly the Routes Leaders Forum), in attracting more senior delegates to Routes. "That has brought in a whole new level of seniority," says Mayes.
"The focus for us is on the meetings, it's the core of the event," he adds. "Probably this year more than ever we have looked at how we can deliver that product." One new initiative is to allow exhibitors to hold extended meetings of 50 minutes on their stands, which will enable them to provide wider type of meeting and encourages more senior delegates to attend.
Source: Airline Business
