Network will again open its doors in Sarasota, Florida, on 7 March 2004, bringing airline and airport route developers together to forge firmer relationships and discuss new business opportunities in the Americas.
Today there may be a good deal more science applied to the art of route development, but building personal relationships is still as important as it ever was. And that again will be the key aim of the Network event when it opens its doors to airline and airport route developers in Florida next March.
The event, to be hosted in Sarasota on Florida's Gulf coast, has developed a keen following among the route development community since it was launched by Airline Business three years ago. And at the core of its success is the chance for airports and airlines to take time out to explore fresh ideas, talk through new marketing opportunities and, true to the event's name, to network.
Each airport delegate gets ample opportunity to discuss marketing plans in a series of formal one-to-one meetings with a range of airlines interested in expanding to, from or within the Americas. But the informal networking opportunities are just as important, whether during the gala dinner or simply over a beer by the pool. In true Florida-style there are no suits, jackets or ties.
'The conference is a tremendous opportunity for us to meet with airports. The format provides more time to discuss network issues than most other events,' in the words of Brad DiFiore, who oversees new market implementation at Delta Air Lines and who has been with the event since the outset. Sensitive to the current economic realities, Airline Business ensures that airlines can attend at little or no cost to budgets.
Besides the North American majors such as Delta, American, Air Canada, Continental and US Airways, virtually all of the US low-cost carriers have become regulars at the event, including senior executives from Southwest, jetBlue and AirTran Airways. Latin American carriers too add a further international dimension, as does the presence of transatlantic route planners from such leading names in Europe as Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic.
Many of the new routes discussed by these carriers at previous Networks are already flying - and in some cases the event provided the first contact between airline and airport. 'The event gives us easy access to our target air carriers and allows us the opportunity to nurture our partnerships with them,' says Ed Nelson, director of air service development at the fast-growing Fort Lauderdale airport and twice host to previous Network events.
Another unique feature of Network is the high-level conference session, which opens the event. With a programme of international speakers, including several airline chief executives, the sessions provide a forum to discuss key issues facing the industry.
This year, global alliance strategy and the rebound in leisure markets are both set to be among the topics high on the agenda.
Any airport or airline is free to join this growing community of route developers, although Network is deliberately focused on the Americas. It sits as a regional event alongside the annual Routes world route development forum, supported and co-founded by Airline Business, which has emerged as the unrivalled global meeting place for airlines and airports. That next takes place in Madrid in September 2004, with well over 1,000 delegates again expected to attend.
Apart from the formal event itself, Network delegates may like to take time out to visit some of the attractions around the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Sun and sea are an obvious draw along the Gulf Keys, but Florida's 'cultural coast' has more to offer from the performing arts through to golf and the pre-season baseball camps. To find out more visit the dedicated website: www.networkusa.info
Source: Airline Business
