TTE and London & Partners team up for innovation showcase at 2015 trade show

TTE and London & Partners team up for innovation showcase at 2015 trade show

Next year’s Travel Technology Europe trade show is to showcase the brightest ideas in travel with a new initiative called Disrupt.

Next year’s Travel Technology Europe trade show is to showcase the brightest ideas in travel with a new initiative called Disrupt.

It will provide a platform for Europe’s latest and most innovative products in travel, with start-ups invited to apply for one of 20 special Disrupt places at the show.

They will get a discounted rate, and sessions within this zone will all focus around innovation and the next big thing in travel technology.

The 20 start-up exhibitors will each have an opportunity to pitch their ideas to a Dragon’s Den style panel with an audience voting for their favourite idea, and the winner winning free mentoring, PR support and a stand at TTE 2016.

Disrupt has been launched in association the Traveltech Lab, a joint venue between London & Partners, the capital’s official promotional company, and The Trampery, a provider of shared-workplaces renowned for inspiring innovation and creativity.

The Traveltech Lab is the UK’s first incubator hub for this market and aims to establish London as the world leader in travel technology.

It is being established in London & Partners central London offices and will offer 30 desks in a shared workspace as well as networking support for the capital’s emerging travel tech industry.

Tom Day, head of new business at London & Partners, said: “London’s ambition is to become the number one city for traveltech startups.

“TTE’s ‘Disrupt’, which is aimed at those wanting to bring innovative new ideas and products to the travel industry, is a natural fit for the Traveltech Lab. We are delighted to be involved in this initiative, working alongside both existing and new start-up businesses to nurture and support our home-grown talent.”

David Chapple, TTE event director added: “We’re thrilled with the support the industry continues to show us year after year, and wanted to give something back to the newest kids on the block.

“We believe in innovation at the heart of evolution and hope that by offering a new type of networking opportunity this year, we will be bringing together great minds from all corners of the travel technology industry (both seasoned and fresh) to spark creativity and encourage new ideas.”

This year will be TTE’s 12th annual show and will mark a return to its roots relocating to the Olympia Exhibition Centre, where it first launched in 2003. The show takes place on February 25-26 and is expected to attract over 4,500 travel technology buyers from all across Europe.