The Big Event 2024 took place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast on the 4th & 5th June 2024. Travel trade representatives made their way to the hotel for two days of networking & engagement with the Northern Irish Travel Agents from all around the Province.
Morning One of The Big Event kicked off with two speed networking sessions which saw 20 travel suppliers update agents on their products and services in a quick manner! 9 minute sessions, exciting updates and lots of travel agents to tell! Thank you to all our speed networking suppliers!
See the official speed networking photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/big-event-2024-speed-networking/
In between networking sessions agents were treated to a Spanish Coffee Morning with PortAventura hosted by Adriana Torrisi and Judith Farras who presented on the incredible PortAventura world park which offers fun for the whole family! They also spoke on Caribe the Aquatic Park which showcases the authentic Caribbean adventure! Adriana & Judith spoke on the 6 themed hotels, 3 Ponient hotels and more coming! The agents enjoyed Spanish cold cuts meats, cheeses, breads & oils accompanied with Spanish tortillas & sweet pastries!
See the official Spanish Coffee Morning photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/big-event-2024-spanish-coffee-morning-with-portaventura/
Agents were then hosted by Travel Solutions as they hosted the first ever BIG GAMESHOW! Robert Wilson the host with the most, took to the stage to dazzle with his Family Fortunes edition! Agents were divided into the highly competitive Magill & McMinn family to battle it out in a survey completed by the NI Travel Trade. Guessing the top answers to questions such as NAME AN ITEM YOU MIGHT FIND IN DUTY FREE and NAME SOMETHING YOU WOULD DO IF YOU RAN OUT OF CLEAN UNDERWEAR ON HOLIDAY! As you can imagine we had some creative answers! Agents had their favourite Saturday night takeaways as they watched the gameshow! The winning family took home the wining prizes and the honorary title of winner of the WINNERS OF THE BIG TRAVEL SOLUTIONS GAMESHOW!
See the official Travel Solutions Big Gameshow photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-the-big-travel-solutions-gameshow/
The Main Exhibition hosted 56 Travel Suppliers at their stands alongside the Gran Canaria Meeting Hub, the Big Event Chill Out Area which hosted Titanic Distillers, PlugInMove, Ground Coffee, BookIt by NI Travel News, the Dublin Airport Registration desk and the My Hablo patio! Aer Lingus sponsored the main stage which showcased the two day schedule, supplier prizes & logos and all the updates throughout the event. RateHawk sponsored the other screens in the room showcasing their products and services throughout the day! Agents enjoyed formal & informal networking while being updated by the hoteliers, airlines, cruises, destinations & attractions. A competitive stand competition was held over the two day exhibition and the winner is…AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINE! Well done guys- look out for their full page advertising in the next edition of NI Travel News!!
See the official Main Exhibition photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-main-exhibition/
The main stage hosted a panel discussion on day one with Kirsty Johnston (Editor, NI Travel News), Jonathon Woodall-Johnston (Chief Operating Officer of Hays Travel), Diane Poole OBE (Head of Tourism Titanic Distillers), Brenda Morgan MBE (Head of Business Development CODA), & Kelly Cookes (Chief Commercial Officer Advantage). The panel discussed their travel journey and how they started in the industry and have grown ever since. Their successes were spoken about and the whole panel were very motivating towards the current workers in the travel trade. Day Two saw Andy Harmer OBE (Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland) take to the stage to present on seizing the cruise opportunity for all agents! Andy brought the perfect level of humour and education to the stage informing agents on the powerhouse that is cruising! A massive thank you to our panellists over the two days and to the Silent Disco Headphones company who provided agents with the headsets to listen in to the sessions!
See the official Industry Insight Sessions photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-industry-insight-panels/
The Spanish Tourist Office hosted night one of The Big Travel Trade Event once again! Bringing the fun & competitiveness to the event by hosting the GIGANTIC SPANISH QUIZ NIGHT! Agents & suppliers were treated to a glass of sangria before a delectable three course Spanish themed evening meal! SpeedQuizzing NI then hosted the whole room to a smart quiz! Teams of six, one tablet, a fun team name and LOTS of shouting & cheering! Thank you to the Spanish Tourist Office for such a fun & memorable night!
See the official Gigantic Spanish Quiz Night photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-the-gigantic-spanish-quiz-night/
Morning Two of the Big Event 2024 welcomed agents for a breakfast morning with Palladium, who always know how to steal the show! This year hosting the very first Palladium Hunger Games agents were greeted by Simon McDermott and mimosas, what’s better?! They had a fun breakfast of donuts, fruit skewers & breakfast sliders before engaging in some table top games, representing each of the Palladium Groups hotels! Simon presented on the groups amazing line up of hotels which have something to suit everyone and then told the exciting news of the BRAND NEW hotel The Unexpected coming soon!
See the official Palladium Hotel Hunger Games photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-the-palladium-hunger-games/
Day Two saw Oceania Cruises take the spotlight with an immersive culinary experience, ‘Recipes For Success’, for the travel agents. Sharon Wilson presented on how Oceania is a cruise line made by foodies for foodies and the passengers culinary experience which she wished to showcase at The Big Event 2024! Geared up in Oceania aprons & hats, agents enjoyed a live chef demo of the menu curated to match the flavours of the Red Ginger restaurant onboard the Oceania fleet! Chef embraced the flavours & limelight as he showcased the menu and then invited the agents to make their own lunch! Guests were put to the test as they assembled their own salad accompanied by chefs chicken satay skewers. Next up- a cocktail masterclass hosted by a cocktail connoisseur who presented on how to make the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail! Agents then enjoyed a trio of desserts and left feeling full & satisfied after a very interactive lunch experience! Thank you Sharon for the amazing idea & lunch!
See the official Recipes For Success with Oceania Cruises photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-recipes-for-success-with-oceania-cruises/
The 32nd NI Travel & Tourism Awards were launched on the second afternoon of The Big Event. Jonathan Adair, Managing Director NI Travel News, took to the mic to welcome suppliers to the launch and announce key details for the Awards in 2024. Jonathan Adair announced the date of the awards ceremony, headlining sponsors, the line up of dazzling awards which will be presented on the evening, and even the hosts for this years ceremony! Voting is now OPEN for the 32nd NI Travel & Tourism Awards 2024!
See the official 32nd NI Travel & Tourism Awards Launch photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-the-32nd-ni-travel-tourism-awards-launch/
The finale evening was sponsored by Jet2holidays once again for this years Big Event and what can we say other than yeeehaawww! This year we were taken to the wild west with the JET2HOEDOWN. Agents were brought to the rodeo with a room themed with all things western, including a rodeo bull, a country shoot out game, photo props and off course some wild west entertainment! A themed three course meal was served to all and enjoyed with a glass of wine (or many!). Fiddler Adam took to the stage and brought the room to the dancefloor playing country classics and hits! Next up our very own Dolly Parton tribute by Kirsty Coard took to the stage to sing her classic songs, Jolene, 9 to 5 and other renditions of songs we all know and love! The party didn’t end there with DJ Nathan filling the dancefloor for some line dancing and classic country music before blowing the roof off the building with an old school 90s classic set list at the afterparty! A massive thank you to Jet2holidays for this amazing night!
See the official Jet2hoedown photographs here- https://nitravelnews.com/galleries/the-big-event-2024-jet2hoedown/
We would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to all our event sponsors, suppliers, the hotel staff, and off course our travel agents who this event is for! We can not wait to see you at THE BIG EVENT 2025!
For enquires regarding The Big Event 2025, please email bigevent@nitravelnews.com
View Gallery: THE BIG EVENT 2024- MAIN EXHIBITION
