Before going to a trade show I like to set out clear objectives. We all know that shows cost us money and time, both of which we want to use with respect and discernment.
Thanks to the Arival team and the perfect forum that they offer, I left Berlin happy that I had achieved 100% of my objectives.
Pre-Arival objectives :
- Enhance my understanding of the tools available for tours and attractions to improve our work for our clients
- Meet with buyers with potential for our Worldwide Attractions clients
- Meet with our existing clients
- Meet with potential clients for Worldwide Attractions
- Network with a large variety of people with a large variety of roles to gain insights into how to continue to improve our work for our clients
The presentations, talks, breakout sessions and demo labs I attended included subjects such as:
- A Tour Operators Guide to the AI Galaxy Christian Watts
- The Latest Updates on Google Things to Do Christian Watts
- How best to work with OTAs and What to Avoid Michaela Vaszi – Jo Fennell – Ioannis Giannakakis – David King
- Demo labs by Expedia and Bokun Oliver Stringer and Jennifer Dejoue and Jordan Whittington
- The Power of Affiliate Marketing Robin Harnish
- An in-depth discussion between Doug Quinby and Johannes Reck, CEO and Co-Founder of GetYourGuide. Douglas Quinby and Johannes Reck
Each session was as interesting and productive as its title suggests.
I find it impossible to choose a favourite. For readers who have not yet attended Arival, in addition to the great front-line speakers and facilitators, the richness also comes from the interventions, questions and comments from the attendees who share their experience of running and selling their tours and attractions.
Meetings & Networking
I ended up having 25 meetings over the 2 and ½ days + lots of other exchanges with people at the networking events and in corridors, with a special mention for the meeting spot where we milled around waiting for our next meeting, chatting with more great people.
And thank you very much to Sarah Dines, Chief Commercial Officer @Viator, Alexi Tabrizi, Executive Vice President @Big Bus and Lynne Fetterman, Chief Operating Officer @Arival for hosting the Women Leasers in Experiences Gathering. Another opportunity to exchange with inspiring trailblazers.
Sarah Dines / Alexi Tabrizi / Lynne Fetterman
In conclusion
I feel very lucky to work in such a friendly and collaborative industry, as has been the case for the many years. The wonderful advantage of Arival is that it has created a space dedicated to the best part of travel: what you do when you get there!
Thank you Douglas Quinby and Bruce Ronsard for founding Arival, and thank you to all the rest of the Arival team for making it happen. Bruce Rosard / Stephen Joyce / Heather Torrey / Janelle Visser / Calum Torrey Douglas Quinby
I can only recommend that if you haven’t yet attended, you join us in Valencia 28 to 30 April 2025. I will look forward to seeing you there.
And for those of you on the other side of the pond, there’s Arival San Diego 30 September to 3 October 2024.