WTM London will be offering priority access to selected exhibitors for its hugely-popular buyer speed networking events.

Speed Networking with exhibitors attending to speak to buyers was introduced in 2009 and has proved phenomenally successfully with the number of exhibitors attending growing every year.  It has played a significant role in WTM London generating £2.8 billion in industry deals.

Furthermore, to continue to make the mini-meeting format worthwhile and productive for both buyers and exhibitors a second event has been added to the Tuesday morning of show.

This means there will be two buyer speed networking session – both taking place at 9am – before the exhibition floor opens – on the first two mornings of WTM London at the Global Stage Networking Area (AS1000), entrance S10.

The Monday event will see 200 buyers seated by the geography they purchase, with the Tuesday event being sector specific – with sectors including responsible tourism, gastronomy, and wedding and honeymoons covered by 100 buyers.

A priority access policy will operate for both these events.

Priority access will allow two named representatives from an exhibitor immediate access from 9am to both sessions and will cost £250. Exhibitor personnel without priority access will be able to enter the speed networking events from 9.30am onwards. Exhibitors will be able to purchase priority access via the exhibitor portal.

The move is designed to limit the number of exhibitors taking part, with 500 priority access tickets available. This in-turn will keep the quality of the mini-meeting high and worthwhile for both sides.

WTM London, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “The Speed Networking events at WTM London have proved hugely-popular with an ever-growing number of exhibitors looking to take part.

“Feedback from both exhibitors and buyers shows that the popularity of the event is having an impact on the quality of the business conversations taking place. So for this year, we are looking to limit the numbers to both buyer speed networking session by introducing a priority entry.”