TUR 2012
A whole new experience!
This year’s TUR is the same as before but quite different.
“We’ve updated the concept and created a more effective venue and an innovative show,” says exhibition manager Per Magnusson.
This year’s TUR (Swedish International Travel & Tourism Fair), which is taking place from 22-25 March at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg, is as usual showcasing an enormous offering and exhibitors from all over the world. But there the similarities end.
Most things at TUR 2012 are new, including new ways of exhibiting, selling and sponsoring, innovative solutions for networking and facilitating business meetings, a focus on debates and our own seminars, new opening hours, and new public initiatives.
“Our ambition has been to make the show edgier,” says Per Magnusson.
“This year’s TUR is the result of a radical change process over the past 18 months. We hope that everyone, both exhibitors and visitors, will appreciate the new features, but still feel at home.”
Global Point – central meeting place
A whole new way of participating as an exhibitor is being launched at this year’s TUR.
Companies can exhibit inexpensively for a three-hour session by hiring standing tables or sofa groups at Global Point or book a number of sessions.
Global Point is a circular 300 sq.m. lounge in the middle of Exhibition Hall C, fitted out in areas with standing height tables, tables and comfortable sofa groups.
Networking Day
In addition to all the innovations at the show, a Networking Day is also being launched on 21 March.
The programme consists of a number of networking activities and a debate on the future, FuTURe, with several heavyweight names in the industry.
TUR’s speed dating event, Connect, which introduces purchasers to suppliers and exhibitors, is being expanded this year and takes place on Networking Day.
Own seminar series
TUR is arranging its own seminar series for the first time to be held on the Trade Days. It comprises a total of six seminars on current and important topics ranging from key industry trends and new technology to doing business with China, future EU regulations and the growth in gay tourism.
“This is a controversial issue. We know there are critical voices who think that we’re drawing people away from the exhibition floor. At the same time we want TUR, as a venue, to provide new information and raise competence,” says Per Magnusson.
“We see it as a test. The reactions we get this year will influence the future direction of TUR.”
Matchmaking App
A unique service for booking appointments is being launched at this year’s TUR.
Our Matchmaking App, with a number of search functions, provides an unbeatable overview of everyone who is at the show and helps exhibitors and trade visitors locate each other.
Once you have registered online you will receive an email, with a link to the matchmaking function, where you are asked to create a personal profile and enter an updated appointment diary for the show days.
“This is how you signal when you’re free,” explains Per Magnusson, who sees the app as a powerful tool for streamlining business meetings at TUR.
For those wanting to meet on neutral ground, we are creating Meeting Point, a meeting environment with around 30 small tables on the ground floor of the show.
Free industry bible
‘Who-Is-Where’ is usually called the travel industry bible.
It includes 3,000 companies in 40 categories and is an invaluable tool for everyone working in the travel and tourism industry. In recent years it has been a web-based search tool, which can be accessed via the show’s website: www.tur.se.
The price was previously SEK 499, but just in time for this year’s TUR the service is now funded by advertising and free.
“Since ‘Who-Is-Where’ is an invaluable tool we’re hoping for lots of users,” says Per Magnusson.
Flexible sponsorship
This year’s TUR enables sponsors to pinpoint their target group.
Instead of sponsoring the whole show, a major commitment, sponsors can sponsor individual days and programme items, allowing them to reach their exact target segment.
The sponsorship schedule for this year’s TUR is as follows: Polish National Tourist Office – Welcome Reception & Public Days, Reseguiden – the future seminar, FuTURe, Liseberg Amusement Park – Trade Day, Thursday 22 March, Göteborg & Co – Trade Day, Thursday 22 March, Gotosweden – Trade Day, Friday 23 March.
Big Polish initiative
Poland is both an official sponsor and one of the largest exhibitors at TUR.
This initiative is connected with Poland and Ukraine hosting the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship in June. Poland is expecting an unusually large number of tourists from Sweden and Denmark, which have both qualified for the championship. A total of 60,000 tickets have been sold to Scandinavians.
“This year’s TUR is a fantastic opportunity to show everything our country has to offer,” says Marta Wozniak at the Polish National Tourist Office.
Three public days
A new feature this year is that TUR is increasing the number of public days from two to three by opening to the general public on Friday 23 March at 14.00.
We are also launching a bargain three-day ticket (valid Fri-Sun): SEK 180 for adults and SEK 90 for young people. The equivalent day ticket costs SEK 130 for adults and SEK 60 for young people.
Deals – irresistible offers
This year visitors to TUR’s public days can not only get inspiration, tips and ideas, but also find a bargain! Each day exhibitors will release a limited number of Deals at bargain prices, including trips, hotel nights and other offers.
All the offers are shown on our website www.tur.se but can only be bought at the show on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Public initiatives
A major kids’ event is taking place on Saturday and Sunday, with a bouncy castle, a trampoline and a treasure hunt, SkattTURen, round the stands with fantastic prizes for the winners.
Another major initiative is non-stop entertainment on the Main Stage at the weekend, with artists including Ingvar Oldsberg, Claes Månsson, Thomas Pettersson, Galenskaparna After Shave, Chanon and Chamber Jazz Trio.
Meanwhile the Small Stage is set to offer interesting travel talks and presentations of faraway destinations.
Facts about TUR
TUR 2012 has attracted 700 exhibitors, representing 600 companies from 78 countries. The show has a net area of 10,000 sq.m. The largest exhibitor is Södra Bohuslän with an area of 322 sq.m. followed by Turkey (264 sq.m.), Spain (242 sq.m.), Italy (209 sq.m.), Germany (180 sq.m.), Greece (165 sq.m.) and Poland (122 sq.m.).
TUR 2012 is being arranged in cooperation with Antor, Visit Sweden, Pata, RTS, FörTur, SHR and SRF. Travel News is a media partner.
TUR 2012 is open: Thurs 22 March 9.00-18.00 (trade visitors only), Fri 23 March 10.00-18.00 (trade visitors, but open to the general public from 14.00), Sat 24 March 9.00-18.00, Sun 25 March 10.00-17.00.
The next TUR will take place at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre from 21-24 March 2013.
Want to find out more? Ring TUR’s exhibition manager Per Magnusson at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, Tel: +46 31 708 86 76. For further information visit: www.tur.se