Global gathering

This year’s edition of the World Travel Market will expand its floorspace by 25 per cent, following unprecedented demand from would-be exhibitors. The increased floorplan features an additional 25,000 sq m of space, which will be dedicated to content and interaction areas as well as transactional selling space for global travel brands. The move comes as part of a wider expansion plan to make this edition of the World Travel Market the most influential in the show’s 45-year history, continuing its trajectory of year-on-year growth since the pandemic in 2020.

“Although we’re still early in the planning and promotion cycle, all indicators suggest World Travel Market London 2025 will be a landmark edition—already tracking significantly ahead of 2024,” says newly-appointed event director Chris Carter-Chapman. “With the next phase of Excel London’s expansion underway, we’re unlocking unprecedented opportunities for exhibitors, content, and visitor experiences at a scale never seen before.

“Our partnership with Excel London is central to WTM London’s ability to grow and innovate; together, we’re creating a dynamic platform that reinforces the capital’s status as the epicentre of global travel and tourism dialogue. WTM London is proud of its legacy — but we’re firmly focused on the future. We’re evolving faster than ever before to meet the expectations of a global audience, and 2025 will set a bold new benchmark for what this event can deliver.”

For exhibitors joining the event for the first time, appointing an experienced and qualified stand contractor is of paramount importance. With just seconds to make an impact on 43,000-strong list of attendees, the temporary architecture of an exhibition stand is tasked with making a brand statement, while meeting all of the requirements of the ExCeL with regards to health & safety and sustainability.

For overseas exhibitors in particular, working with a UK-based contractor ensures a frictionless journey to doors opening and a fully-functioning stand ready for three days of strong business.

“We are working with an increasing amount of overseas businesses,” says Smart Display’s sales manager Ben Rose. “Our ten years’ experience and inside knowledge of venues such as the ExCeL reassures exhibitors that they can allocate their time to other aspects of their business in the lead up to the event, safe in the knowledge that they can fly into London the day before the event to a fully-functioning stand that looks great, and complies with all of the regulations of the London ExCeL.”

Smart Display’s portfolio of international exhibitors are all regular clients, returning to Smart Display year after year for all of their UK and European events.

“The Smart Display team is better equipped to get quick answers from European vendors and event organisers, and they are experts in getting supplies through customs,” says Meagan Gill, field marketing manager at Perforce, a software specialist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “European exhibitions are very important to our business, and we could not do it without Smart Display,” says Meagan. “The team all are wonderful, and I appreciate everything they do to make sure we have beautiful and functional stands. We love our neon signs, the acrylic behind the reception and the demo wall, and we hope to continue to collect our leads and have smooth shows without any logistical errors.”

With most space already sold out, WTM London is urging any would-be exhibitors to book now to secure a presence at this year’s record-breaking event. For confirmed exhibitors meanwhile, now is the time to establish a relationship with an experienced and qualified stand contractor.

“We are four months out from the November event, so now is the time to start getting some ideas together for a striking exhibition strand,” continues Ben Rose. “Our designers are full of creative ideas while the installations team is well-versed in bringing the concept to life in temporary architecture. It’s a fantastic vibrant show, and we are looking forward to creating the best stands at the event for exhibitors old and new.”

If you have booked your space at World Travel Market London, talk to Smart Display today about taking care of your exhibition stand #wemakeevents