At GuestRevu, we are dedicated to keeping up to date with industry trends, pioneering partner relationships and keeping close to our clients. To facilitate these lofty goals, GuestRevu has taken to the road on the first-ever GuestRevu on the Go campaign, where representatives will attend hospitality industry events to directly engage with stakeholders, forging meaningful connections and gaining insights into their evolving needs and challenges. In the first quarter, the team attended four events around the UK and Europe.
West Country Tourism Conference
The opening event on 2024’s GuestRevu on the Go calendar was the West Country Tourism Conference, which was held on 6 and 7 February at Westpoint in Exeter, Devon, alongside the Source Trade Show.
The conference featured a star-studded speaker list, including award-winning hotelier Andy Banner-Price, who spoke about the essentials of B&B success that earned his bed and breakfast the title of best in the world on Tripadvisor, and Richard Toomer, Director of The Tourism Alliance, who spoke about the anticipated changes in the industry. The West Country’s quality produce shone at the Source Trade Show, where trade could sample everything from ice cream to beer to biltong - all locally produced, of course.
Lakes Hospitality Trade Show
We then moved north to Cumbria for another great show in an idyllic part of the British countryside. Despite the heavy rain, the Lakes Hospitality Association (LHA) Trade Show on 28 and 29 February was well-attended and we had a great couple of days.
We spent time with the team from HOP on their stand, and met up with other key partners such as Mews, Profitroom, HiJiffy, and Guestline. We also caught up with the Keswick Tourism Association, 100% Real Lake District, and some long-time GuestRevu users at the amazing Providence Hotels.
ITB Berlin
The next stop was a bit further afield, but well worth the trip, as ITB Berlin is one of the highlights of the year when it comes to hospitality tech shows. Arriving the day before the show allowed the team to kick off the week by taking in the relaxing surroundings of the historical Hotel Adlon and seeing some of Berlin’s landmarks, such as the Reichstag Building and The Brandenburg Gate.
The rest of the trip from 5 to 7 March was all work, though, with 15 meetings in three days and many other ad hoc conversations.
On day one we met with iRekonU, our friends at RoomRaccoon, new integration partners HiJiffy, Stay’N’Touch, and Cendyn (who launched their stunning rebrand at the show) and our valued clients WOTELS. The day ended at the top of the Solar Skybar, attending the Cendyn and Siteminder event, filled with great food, drinks, magician and great conversations.
We began day two bright and early with a meeting with South African partner ResRequest, followed by a chat with the Team at Hotel Time (future integration partner – watch this space!). We also had some great conversations with the SHR team, and caught up with our friends from Infor and For-Sight. The evening was topped off by an event hosted by Cloudbeds and Ideas at the Watergate Club, a night filled with electronic dance music, drinks and an incredible atmosphere.
On day three we had a few more meetings with connections at BookBoost and Mews, and we had a wonderful time in the South African tourism hall speaking with several clients including aha Hotels & Lodges, Cresta Hotels and An African Anthology
The Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HRC) Expo
.png?width=557&height=372&name=West-country-tourism-w-bg%20(1).png)
To finish up the quarter, we joined our friends from HOSPA on their tech bar at the Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HRC) Expo at the ExCel in London from 25 to 27 March. With talks from experts on everything from cloud computing to body language, and exhibitions of products as diverse as crockery, bedding and bubble tea, there’s nothing a hotelier needs that they won’t find at the HRC Expo.
We also found what we were looking for with some great opportunities to catch up with partners and friends from Mews, Infor, StayNTouch, Zonal and Percipient.
What’s next…?
We have a few events lined up for quarter two, including WTM Africa in Cape Town, Africa's Travel Indaba in Durban, The HMA Awards and the TravelTech Show in London. Take a look at our GuestRevu on the Go roadmap for more details or to book a meeting with us at an event.
