THE BUYER-LED INSTITUTE OF TRAVEL & MEETINGS (ITM) has forged a strategic alliance with events industry association Eventia. ITM chairman Caroline Strachan said: "We see this as a positive step forward for the industry and believe it will bring great benefit to each organisation's membership. Eventia has developed as a strong association in the meetings and events sector and the two organisations fit together very well."
Eventia chief executive, Izania Downie, added: "There are some great synergies between the two organisations and it is a natural step for Eventia to work in partnership with ITM."
The latest ITM research reveals that nearly one-third (31 per cent) of its buyer members manage both travel and meetings, achieving average savings of 17 per cent by bringing the two sectors together. Four out of five say they intend to broaden their remit to include communications technology - including 'virtual meetings' - as well.