Some tips and advice for media on how to prepare for Meet the Media
Taking place on Wednesday, February 7th 2024, Meet the Media is a one-day one-day networking event for travel trade and media.
This unique event will connect travel media with a selection of worldwide travel suppliers including airlines, hoteliers, tourist boards and tour operators.
If you are a member of the media and are registered for the event – well done!
We want to make sure you put your best foot forward on the day, so with that in mind, here are a few tips on how to prepare for Meet the Media.
Login and update your profile
Yes, it seems obvious but please make sure you have logged into the online appointment system – don’t leave it until the last minute! 2023 saw over 900 appointments made between media and trade.
If you have attended Meet the Media before, your profile may be set up already. However, you should still log in and make sure you have the most up to date information.
If you can’t find your login details, or are having issues logging in, then email colm@travelmedia.ie ASAP.
Check your meeting requests
When you login to your profile, check your meeting requests. Accept the ones you want, decline the ones you don’t. Make sure to check your waitlist too.
Don’t sell – editorial conversations only
Please don’t include any sales pitches in your meetings. Conversations should be editorial only. If appropriate and requested, advertising, sponsorship or rate card details can be shared via email afterwards. If you pitch advertising or try to sell in any way it will be reported and you will be excluded from future events.
Meetings are not interviews
Your meetings should be used to find out more about a supplier, discuss future collaborations, press trips etc. Should you wish to use a quote from a supplier then please ask them during the meeting if they are ok with this. Alternatively, you can arrange interviews post-event.
Social interest
Have you got all your meetings arranged? Great! Now get onto every social media platform out there and follow the companies that you will be meeting with.
Don’t forget to engage with us across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. If you’re talking about Meet the Media online, make sure to use our hashtags. #TMevents #MTM24.
Do your research
Again, once those precious meetings are confirmed, it’s time to get researching. Make sure you know who you’re meeting with!
Connect on LinkedIn, follow social media accounts, look at the company website, sign up to their newsletter, read their most recent blogs and find out their most recent news.
This will serve your well on the day and will show that you are organised and professional.
Supplier sheet
On the day of the event we will give a sheet to you which contains information on each of the suppliers taking part in the event. This sheet is for you only. Please do not share it with anyone else, or share it anywhere online.
Don’t be late and don’t go over.
Just don’t. It won’t look good.
We are also running on strict 10 minute appointments so if you miss your appointment, you’ve missed your chance! Appointments end automatically after 10 minutes so you will not get any extra time if you are late or if your meeting goes over.
Speakers – Meet the Media 2024
Ian Cleary: The Power of AI in Tourism
Speaker Time: 10:00am
At 10:00am, dive into the transformative world of artificial intelligence with Ian Cleary, a distinguished Social Media & Digital Marketing Expert. Recognized globally for his expertise, Ian’s talk, ‘AI Powered Tourism – 15 Practical Tools, Tips, and Techniques to Immediately Action,’ promises to unveil the game-changing role of AI in the tourism sector. Get ready for insights that will reshape your perspective on AI in the travel industry.
Marion Payr: Empowering Through the Lens
Speaker Time: 10:30am
Join visionary travel photographer Marion Payr on a journey through her lens as she captures the essence of wildlife conservation and safari tourism in Subsaharan Africa. At 10:30am, Marion will share insights on travel photography and solo female travel, offering a unique perspective that goes beyond boundaries and embraces the spirit of exploration and empowerment.
Explore Marion’s world: Website | Instagram
Massimo Marchiori: Unlocking the Nexus of Tech, Media, and Travel
Keynote Speaker Time: 1:20pm
Cap off the day with the keynote address by Massimo Marchiori, the visionary behind the world’s first hyper search engine. At 1:20pm, Massimo will unravel the ‘Chamber of Secrets’ where technology and society intersect. His talk, “Unlocking the Nexus with Massimo Marchiori: A Quest into Tech, Media, and the Travel Frontier,” provides deep insights into the dynamic relationship between technology and society, extending its reach to encompass media and tourism.
Discover Massimo’s remarkable journey: Website
Timings:
9:45am – Registration desk opens
10.00am – Morning teas/coffees served
10:00am – Talk: The Power of AI in Tourism
10:30am – Talk: Empowering Through the Lens: A Journey in Travel Photography and Female Empowerment
11:00am – Morning session starts, 10-minute appointments (x11), 1-minute turnaround
1:01pm – Lunch, 1pm-2pm
1:20pm – Keynote: Unlocking the Nexus: A Quest into Tech, Media and the Travel Frontier
2:00pm – Afternoon session starts, 10-minute appointments (x11), 1-minute turnaround
4:01pm – Afternoon teas/coffees served
4:20pm – Evening session starts, 10-minute appointments(x10), 1-minute turnaround
5:30pm – Drinks served – beer, red & white wine, soft drinks, water
6:10pm – Appointments end
7:00pm – After party til late, invite only
Please take all your meetings on our platform. Please do not take meetings off platform.
Sell yourself
This is your time to sell yourself. Do so by making sure you have the following:
- A media pack. This should have all of your relevant stats i.e. readership, circulation, site visits, listenership, viewers, social media numbers etc. You can share your screen during the video meeting, or send this onto a supplier as a follow up.
- Prepare an intro in advance so you’re not stuck for words!
- Want to go on a press trip or work with a supplier somehow? Have a proposal ready for them.
Dress to impress
Our dedicated event photographer, Raf, will be at Meet the Media taking headshots for Meet the Media attendees – and it’s free of charge! So make sure to look your best so you can update your LinkedIn profile with a snazzy new photo.
2024 Suppliers
- Polish National Tourist Office
- St. Pete Clearwater Florida
- Tourism Nova Scotia
- Universal Parks & Resorts
- Access Bookings
- New Jersey Tourism
- Philadelphia CVB
- Stena Line
- Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism
- CaminoWays.com
- Le Voyage à Nantes
- Ireland’s Blue Book
- Deep South USA
- Catalan Tourist Board
- Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
- Malta Tourism Authority
- Austrian National Tourist Office
- Lloret de Mar Tourism Board
- Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
- VisitPITTSBURGH
- Visit Seattle
- Cork Airport
- made
- Air Transat
- Tenerife Tourism Corporation
- Follow the Camino/One Foot Abroad
- Nebo Tours (Jordan)
- Costa del Sol Tourist Board
- Alentejo Promotion Office
- Madeira Promotion Bureau
- Travel Texas
- Atout France
- Normandy
- Touraine
- Brittany
- Nimes
- Cotentin
- Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
- German National Tourist Office
- Newbridge Silverware
- Spain Tourism Board
- Balearic Islands
- Visit Greater Palm Springs
- Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Watch the Meet the Media 2024 video!
And finally, please do your best to shout about the event online! We want to share some positive news about travel and support the suppliers that are taking part in the event this year. When posting about the event, please use #MTM2024
Got questions about Meet the Media? Email colm@travelmedia.ie