The Business Travel Market has announced a management shuffle, which sees the departure of Mark Harris, who helped set up the show.
Mark Harris, director at Travel Intelligence Network (TIN) and former Institute of Travel and Meetings marketing boss, worked with founder Paul Robin to launch BTM.
It was founded in 2008 as the industry's first conference and exhibition backed by a fully hosted buyer programme.
Harris, who leaves after completing his contract with BTM, said he had “really enjoyed” working to get the event off the ground, but will now focus on other TIN client projects.
"I'd like to wish Paul and the team continued success for BTM and look forward to working together on new projects in the future," he added.
Robin said Harris had been a “key factor” in BTM’s initial success, “but the time is right for BTM to strengthen its team in different ways”.
Business Travel Market will be held for the third year on June 22 and 23, 2011, at London’s Excel.
In other developments, BTM has appointed Neil Simpson, currently the director of Centaur Media’s Travel Technology Show, as sales director. He will take up the role in January.
BTM has also appointed Nikki Stimson as marketing and partnerships director, and Judit Mora in sales and administration support.
Loraine Holdcroft will continue in her role for a third year as VIP hosted buyer programme director, and operations will continue to be looked after by Anna Anson of IQ events.
BTM predicts it will attract more than 4,000 attendees in 2011, including 500 of Europe’s top travel buyers, each responsible for between €500,000 and €100m in corporate travel spend.
www.businesstravelmarket.co.uk