CTA members have described that the recent Winter Networking event in Exeter was the “best ever” for business development. Over 100 coach operators, wholesalers, and tourism suppliers attended the event on 19-20 November with significant new business potential and partnerships created as a result.

“Many delegates reported that Winter Networking was the ‘best ever’ event for business development,” says CTA Chair Robert Shaw. “This was a result of the high attendance, including a strong showing of new buyer and supplier members, which created a lot of business potential. The opportunity to build new partnerships, all in one great location, is the reason for the popularity of CTA events.”

The event was sponsored by Visit Exeter, which was particularly keen to attract coach operators and wholesalers to the city and surrounding area to experience the winter opportunities.

“We welcome many coach groups to our historic city in spring and summer, but there are great experiences during autumn and winter too,” says Claire Toze, Tourism Manager, Exeter City Council. “We were delighted to host CTA’s Winter Networking event and welcome so many coach operators, some of whom hadn’t visited the area before. The support from local Devon attractions was fantastic, and many operators told us that they will be coming back to Exeter in the near future.”

The event’s Supplier Workshop on Monday included nearly 40 attractions and group travel suppliers presenting to coach operators and wholesalers to develop new product. The Winter Networking event also included nearly 20 local attractions at Sunday evening’s Devon Supplier Showcase, thanks to the support of Anne Blackham at Devon’s Top Attractions, which is keen to welcome coach groups year round.

CTA Winter Networking was hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park hotel and began with a fam trip to two Brend Collection hotels in Sidmouth. The hotel operator provided an excellent lunch, demonstrating its ability to provide quality food to large groups, and The Victoria hotel gave beautiful views over the bay.

Delegates then enjoyed a fantastic Festive Cruise along the River Exe, complete with mulled wine and mice pies, courtesy of Stuart Line Cruises. Despite blustery conditions, Stuart Line Cruises demonstrated how groups could enjoy a calm and stable cruise, year-round. Stuart Line’s Lauren Clark says: “It was a pleasure for us to welcome you aboard and we feel humbled to be working alongside and partnering with some of the most exemplary operators in the travel trade industry. In particular, we love nothing more than to showcase the River Exe in winter and to show that boat trips with Stuart Line Cruises go ahead whatever the weather and that your passengers will not get cold, wet or sea sick!”

Showing the importance of coach tourism to Exeter, Sunday evening’s Networking Dinner was attended by The Lord Mayor of Exeter.

The event was preceded by a pre-event fam trip in Torquay for operators and wholesalers, taking place the day before Winter Networking. Hosted by the Hampton by Hilton Torquay hotel, delegates also attended a dinner at The Headland Hotel.

“CTA would like to thank everybody who contributed to making Winter Networking and the pre-event fam a really successful event, including all members who attended. We look forward to seeing you at our next event, the 2024 Conference & Workshop, in Newcastle upon Tyne, in January,” says Robert.

See a slideshow of images from the event below. Many thanks to Stuart Render for the photos.

And click here to book your place at the CTA Conference & Workshop 2024.