EyeforTravel launches European Social Media in Travel conference

Following the success of our inaugural Social Media Strategies in Travel conference held early this year in San Francisco, EyeforTravel is launching a European version of the event to be held in Berlin, 14-15 October.

“Our research has found an overwhelming interest in the social media phenomenon.  The success of our inaugural Social Media event in San Francisco earlier this year just goes to show that the impact of social media and user-generated content cannot be ignored by the travel industry” says Gina Baillie, Regional Director of Europe.

As Adam Healey, Co-founder & CEO, VibeAgent Inc says “Social media is not a trend, it's a whole new way of understanding markets.  Markets are conversations. It's imperative companies embrace this paradigm shift in how markets work. UGC and social networking will permanently sideline command and control marketing tactics and enable authenticity and transparency to prevail. Social media democratises consumer participation in the capitalist economy and makes them the most important stakeholder in the process."

Quite simply, as much as we may wish to ignore it, market indications show that social media will undoubtedly play a vital role in every travel company’s marketing and CRM strategies over the coming years.  For many companies launching a social media raises many questions – questions which are so new it’s very difficult to find the answers to. 

Like the event in San Francisco, the 2 day conference brings together the leaders in social media in travel to discuss and debate which tried and tested social media strategies work and why.  The event will also look at the long term implications of a social media strategy.  The format of the conference will encourage audience participation with delegates having ample opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

As Gina says “Europe is an extremely diverse and dynamic market.  Cultural and linguistic differences add to the complications of implementing an effective user-generated content and social media strategy.  Our research has found that the innovators in social media and online travel in Europe are trialling some very interesting developments in this field. Many are successfully reaching out and engaging new consumer markets as well as raising brand awareness.”

Alongside looking at the positive results of social media and user-generated content strategies, the conference will also examine some of the failures and potential pitfalls.  For some companies, launching user-generated content strategy has opened up an unwanted customer channel for complaints which risks damaging their brand.  The question is how can this be managed and by who?

The conference will be twinned with EyeforTravel’s annual  Sales & Marketing in Travel Europe.  The 2 conference Summit will give delegates the opportunity to take an all encompassing approach to reviewing their online marketing, sales and CRM strategies.  Topics include innovations in search, branding, CRM, website optimisation, social media, mobile and many more.  To request a draft agenda email gina@eyefortravel.com

“These are very exciting times in online travel. We are witnessing fundamental changes in the way travel is marketed and sold.”
For more information contact gina@eyefortravel.com or call +44 (0)207 375 7197 or see www.eyefortravel.com/smeurope