Amy Moore introduces GTW's upcoming events segment with a list of travel trade shows guaranteed not to be missed. 

Encore Tickets at World Travel Market 2014.

THE SOUTH WEST GROUP TRAVEL SHOW

FEBRUARY 7 2015, WESTON-SUPER-MARE

Since 2012, the South West Group Travel Show has offered free admission for group travel organisers and members of the travel trade, showcasing inspirational ideas for great group itineraries in and around the area. The South West Group Travel Show will be held at the Winter Gardens in Weston-Super-Mare on February 7 from 1000hrs to 1400hrs.

The South West Group Travel Show exhibits around 70 attractions and welcomes around 200 visitors wishing to explore local destinations, venues, tour operators and accommodation providers. Visitor registration is currently open for The South West Group Travel Show, which is organised by Group Travel Organiser Magazine and Tourism South East. Visitors could also book a space on a familiarisation weekend taking place from February 6-7 2015.

Free coach transfers will be available, with convenient pick up/drop off points in key towns and cities across the region. For more information visit www.southwestgrouptravelshow.com

THE TOURISM & ATTRACTIONS SHOW

FEBRUARY 21 2015, BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM

The Tourism & Attractions Show will be celebrating its third successful year in 2015, due to be held on February 21 at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. The Tourism & Attractions Show boasts free registration and offers the opportunity to discuss itinerary ideas face-to-face. Competitions will be presented throughout the day and visitors will also be able to embark on an optional self-guided tour of the Black Country Living Museum. The Tourism & Attractions Show is a well-established event for Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, the Midlands and Wales. Visitor registration is now open and free return coach travel is available. An accompanying familiarisation trip has been arranged by Parkway Tours, with pickups in Bristol, Gloucester and Birmingham. For more information visit www.tourismandattractions.co.uk

TOURISM AND LEISURE SHOW

FEBRUARY 26 2015, COLCHESTER

The Tourism and Leisure Show is organised by Visit Essex and is scheduled to run on February 26 2015 from 1000hrs to 1530hrs, returning to the Charter Hall at Colchester Leisure World in Essex. The Tourism and Leisure Show welcomed 1,000 visitors in 2014, offering ideas for short breaks and days out in the east of England. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015, The Tourism and Leisure Show is tailored to GTOs, coach and tour operators, associations, societies, school teachers and youth organisers. Up to 80 exhibitors are expected at The Tourism and Leisure Show, including representatives from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Sussex and London. Exhibitors aim to offer free information on coach tours throughout the UK, with additional ideas for guided walks and mystery tours.

The Tourism and Leisure Show will have a courtesy coach pickup from Colchester Railway Station and will be offering a free tour of Colchester Castle (must be pre-booked). For more information visit www.tourismandleisureshow.co.uk

BEST OF BRITAIN & IRELAND 2015

MARCH 11-12 2015, NEC BIRMINGHAM

Best of Britain & Ireland (BOBI) showcases destinations, venues and attractions tailored to the UK and Irish markets. Best of Britain & Ireland will be held at the NEC Birmingham from March 11-12 2015, with over 300 exhibitors expected to attract around 3,000 visitors. Tailored to GTOs and event planners, BOBI will feature a comprehensive seminar programme to further enhance networking opportunities regarding attractions, destinations, venues, hotels, organisers and associations, regional tourist boards and service providers. Best of Britain & Ireland recently revealed a bold new brand following its purchase by Diversified Communications UK. For more information visit www.bobievent.com

Visitor Registration Open For BOBI 2015

Best of Britain & Ireland will be held at the NEC Birmingham from March 11-12 2015, with over 300 exhibitors expected to attract around 3,000 visitors. Registration is currently open for the two-day trade event, which has attracted the likes of Best Western Hotels, ETOA, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott Hotels, SEE Tickets, Ticketmaster, VisitEngland and West Midland Safari Park.

“West Midland Safari and Adventure Park will be exhibiting again this year for the third consecutive year. Each year has been more successful than the previous. Not only have we made many new contacts, but it has also proven to offer an ideal opportunity to meet with existing clients to inform about new products. This is an extremely organised and well thought out event.

It is ideally located and convenient to draw visitors from most parts of the country,” said Sue Day, Guest Relations Officer at West Midland Safari & Leisure Park. Guests can register for a free entry ticket at www.bobievent.com

GROUP LEISURE TRAVEL TRADE SHOW

OCTOBER 22 2015, NEC BIRMINGHAM

In 2014, the Group Leisure Awards anticipated the Group Leisure Travel Trade Show, which will be open from 1000hrs to 1600hrs on October 22 2015. An official accommodation provider is usually allocated in advance, with last year’s guests staying at the swanky Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

GTW at the Group Leisure Awards 2014.

Group Leisure Travel Trade Show seeks to target group travel organisers, coach operators and the travel trade, inviting them to meet with tour operators, cruise lines, shopping venues, historic properties and gardens, theatre ticketing and coach companies, amongst others. The Group Leisure Travel Trade Show is staged by YPL Exhibitions in association with Yandell Media Group LTD. An extensive free to attend seminar programme is available per annum. Free UK transport is available, with a complimentary bacon butty for guests arriving before 1100hrs. For more information visit www.leisureshow.com

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET 2015

NOVEMBER 2-5, 2015, EXCEL EXHIBITION CENTRE

World Travel Market is an annual business-to-business event tailored to the travel and tourism sector. World Travel Market usually runs for four days in November and showcases a diverse range of destinations worldwide, presenting industry professionals with the opportunity to meet, negotiate and network. World Travel Market celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2014, seeing its opening hours extended to facilitate more business. World Travel Market saw an estimated 4% increase in visitors, with almost 52,000 delegates attending – seeing its 5th consecutive year of growth. The total number of visitors equalled a whopping 98,426 over the course of the event. For more information visit www.wtmlondon.com

Don't Miss - EXCURSIONS 2015

JANUARY 24 2015, ALEXANDRA PALACE

Excursions 2015 is organised by Tourism South East and Group Travel Organiser Magazine in partnership with London & Partners and VisitEngland. Excursions 2015 showcases the latest group products with over 300 attractions, destinations, accommodation providers and tour operators attracting more than 1,300 group buyers. Running for approximately 38 years, visitors can still register online for fast track entry. Excursions 2015 is due to be held at Alexandra Palace on January 24 2015 between 1000hrs and 1600hrs and boasts free admission. Complimentary coach transfers are available featuring new routes and pick up locations – seats are available to book via 0845 557 7752. For more information visit www.excursions.org.uk