All set for WIT 2008

Welcome to the new website of WIT-Web In Travel, and welcome to the first WIT blog.

We wanted a new website because we wanted it to be more dynamic and interactive, and we wanted to create a space where WIT-ters could feel free to contribute, comment and give us feedback. This blogging feature should allow that – but we will have to wait till the technical guys finish what they have to do.

In the meantime, here’s an update on what we have been up to.

In March, I travelled to Berlin to seal the partnership with Messe Berlin. Holding WIT back-to-back with ITB Asia give both events a great leg up - WIT-ters get access to a large travel fair and ITB Asia gets access to a conference focused on one of the most dynamic segments in the Asian travel and tourism industry.

I also got to moderate a Bloggers vs Journalists panel session at PhoCusWright at ITB. It gave me ample food for thought for this year's WIT. I learnt a lot from watching how PCW runs its events - the content is great, the AV is impressive and the timing is spot-on.

I like the countdown clock on the screen as each speaker speaks - you can't ever run overtime with such an in-the-face technique. I think more conferences should use that.

In Berlin, I also took the chance to sit down with experts in the online travel space and picked a few brains over beers and martinis. It's amazing what good ideas flow with the free flow of alcohol.

Soon after that, discussions continued with PhoCusWright to see how we could deepen our partnership. Their “man in Asia”, Ram Badrinathan, has been incredibly supportive of WIT since its launch and so it’s natural that we strengthen our working relationship.

And last month, we signed an agreement that will blend the might of PhoCusWright with the best of WIT.

This year's theme is based on "Ideas. Execution. Action." One of the comments we got from previous events was that while you walked away with some ideas and thoughts, there was a lack of how-to - you wanted us to drill deeper down into the subjects.

This year's programme will be heavy on great ideas, case studies and best practices - and, of course, interaction and two-way dialogue. You'll also get to vote on a series of pitches that we are planning.

As you can see, the programme is almost complete but I am sure there will be changes along the way. Do subscribe to our RSS feed and drop me an email at siewhoon@webintravel.com

See you at this year’s WIT.