Businesses in the Midlands could reduce their business travel and meetings expenditure by up to 30 per cent and get better service and value for money with a little more planning.

This is the message from the organisers of the Business Travel Show, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC this October.

“The Midlands is the UK’s fastest-growing region when it comes to making and taking business trips: nine million passengers travel through Birmingham International Airport each year and the Birmingham to London corridor is one of the busiest business routes in the UK, ”commented Event Director David Chapple.

“But while Birmingham businesses are increasing their business travel & meetings budgets, are they really getting value for money? For those who spend some or all of their working time booking and buying company travel, business trips and meeting venues, just a few hours at the Business Travel Show will enable you to meet a wide range of local, national and international suppliers – including airlines and airports, rail operators, car hire companies, hotels, meeting venues, travel management companies, online booking tools and software suppliers – offering great deals.”

The regional Business Travel Show launched successfully in Birmingham last year after six years in Manchester, and attracted more than 1,100 visitors and 52 exhibiting companies.

This year, an even stronger show returns with two brand new features: the Hotel Arena and the London Pavilion.

The Hotel Arena is the perfect destination for conference and meetings bookers as well

as business travel organisers, with dozens of hotel options from 5-star deluxe to budget 3-star.

The London Pavilion is the ultimate resource for Birmingham businesses with regular travellers to and from the capital and will house suppliers of, for example, hotels and meeting venues, chauffer companies and on-demand taxis.