IFTM is the only B2B trade show that brings together every year all the professionals in the French tourism industry (Leisure, Business, Events and Groups) at Paris, Porte de Versailles.
For 3 days, the show attracts over 34,000 visitors, including French and international buyers, travel agents, distribution and production professionals, journalists and media, influencers, students and French and international officials, who come to meet the 200 destinations and 1,700 exhibiting brands (tourist offices, airlines, hotel groups, tour operators, technology companies, startups, etc.).
For its 2024 edition, under the theme “New sustainable horizons, uniting our responsibilities”, IFTM will be inviting tourism professionals to reflect on their individual and collective responsibilities in order to move from reflection to action, from constraint to opportunity, and thus become a genuine player in change and sustainable development in the tourism sector, focusing on three key areas: the environment, digital and inclusion. Today, Laurence Gaborieau, IFTM Show Director, answers our questions.
1 – Could you briefly introduce yourself and explain IFTM’s mission? I’m Laurence Gaborieau, Director of the Tourism, Transport and Logistics Division at RX France.
Since 1998, when I joined the group, I’ve been in charge of various events (congresses and trade shows), notably in the healthcare sector, but also in the civil nuclear sector (with the launch of the first international civil nuclear trade show), research and physiotherapy.
In January 2022, I took over the management of 3 trade shows, including IFTM.
IFTM’s mission is first and foremost to bring together all French and international tourism professionals for three days, to enable them to discover new trends in the sector, acquire expertise on topical issues, and discuss the challenges and future of the industry at the many events, conferences and evening parties organized, all while sharing convivial moments. 2 – What will be the main lines of communication for this 2024 edition? The 2024 edition will focus on new sustainable horizons and everyone’s individual and collective responsibilities.
The environment, of course, but also attractiveness and inclusion, as well as digital, will be at the heart of IFTM’s program of conferences and events.
Under the theme “New sustainable horizons, uniting our responsibilities”, everyone will be invited to move from reflection to action.
Indeed, it is by drawing on collective intelligence, sharing our visions and assuming our responsibilities, that we will be able to build a more inclusive, sustainable and innovative future for tourism, by opening up new horizons in the most enlightened way possible. 3 – What new products would you like to share with the press? Among the new 2024 features already established, the first that won’t go unnoticed is the overhaul of our graphic and visual identity.
The new pink and orange colors highlight the warmth and dynamism of the event.
In terms of events and activities, we’ve introduced a new format for the Travel Agents Cup Junior final, to put the spotlight on the schools and mentor teachers of the participants through video presentations, and to develop the creativity of the students through an original presentation and a qualitative, dynamic medium.
Another new feature is that the Startup Village and Startup Contest will be sponsored by Orchestra, who will be supporting the revival of this village and highlight of the event before, during and after the show.
New “What’s new in tech” workshops will also be organized in the same spirit as the “What’s new for sale” workshops.
We’re working on new trend detection formats for our 3 pillars, using collective intelligence.
And I’ll save the other new features for the press conference. 4 – Why come to IFTM next September? Coming to IFTM is first and foremost taking part in France’s leading event for tourism professionals.
A true meeting place, it enables you to network, maintain your network and meet new partners, while keeping abreast of new industry trends.
To make collective intelligence work, it’s important for everyone to get involved and become a true agent of change, and we invite everyone to mobilize for more sustainable horizons. 5 – Why did you choose to work with Travel-Insight to managepress relations? Because they’re a dynamic, committed and positive team.
Travel-Insight constantly challenges itself and is not afraid to be challenged.
Quite the contrary, in fact.
Collaborative work is part of our DNA.
We really enjoy working with the whole team.
And I appreciate Emmanuelle’s vision as an elected representative of Women in Tourism, who are reinventing themselves and looking to find new ways/voices, notably through mentoring. 6 – Concluding remarks This year’s event has been brought forward to September 17-19, Paris Porte de Versailles, Hall 1, to coincide with the Olympic Games.
The trade show calendar has had to be completely revised.
