WTM London 2017 is introducing an extra Speed Networking session on the Tuesday of the event – meaning each day will kick off with a speed networking event before the exhibition floor opens.

The first day of the event – Monday 6 November – will start with the traditional regional speed networking event, with more than 200 buyers taking tables split by the exhibition floor geographies they purchase. In 2016 around 1,000 exhibitor personal attended the Monday morning speed networking session.

Tuesday 7 November sees the introduction of the new sector-specific speed networking event, with niches including responsible tourism, food tourism, adventure tourism and wedding and honeymoons covered. Buyers will be seated based on the sectors they purchase.

The final day of WTM London – Wednesday 8 November – sees the highly successful and re-named WTM Digital Influencers’ Speed Networking (formerly WTM Bloggers’ Speed Networking) return for its fourth year. The event will see 100 leading digital influencers discuss how they can help promote exhibitors’ destinations and products to their legions of loyal followers.

All three events will take place before the exhibition floor opens at 9am at the Networking Area AS900, giving exhibitors an extra hour to discuss and conclude business deals at WTM London. WTM London facilitates almost £2.8 billion in industry deals.

World Travel Market London, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “Speed Networking has proved incredibly popular since we first launched it at WTM London back in 2010 that we have continued to add extra sessions to the programme.

“WTM London now offers three speed networking events before the exhibition floor opens on each day, expanding the opportunities for exhibitors to negotiate and conclude business deals at the event.

“WTM London generated almost £2.8 billion in industry deals. With the extra speed networking session this year we expect WTM 2017’s to facilitate a record value of business for the travel and tourism industry.”