Top Tips to prepare for World Routes

With World Routes just a little over 5 weeks away, we’ve put together this checklist to ensure you’re well prepared for the event!

Pre-scheduled meetings

Scheduling for this year’s World Routes will close on Friday 5th September, just three weeks from now. If your delegate package includes a diary of pre-scheduled meetings and you haven’t made your requests yet make sure you get them in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as diaries are filling up fast!

The online Meeting Requests System allows delegates with an entitlement of pre-arranged meetings to log-in and submit their requests online. To begin requesting meetings, delegates should follow the below steps:

  • Register or Log-In to your free personal networking profile
  • Enter your PRC (Personal Registration Code), which you should have received when you registered, into the box displayed on the homepage, ensuring you have selected World Routes on the slider
  • Click ‘Submit PRC’ and you will be directed to your meeting request page.

New for this year, we have created a step- by-step guide of the scheduling process on our website. This will make the meeting request process as easy as possible for delegates.

Click here to begin requesting your meetings or to register for World Routes 2014.

Preparing for your meetings

The system also provides delegates with the perfect platform to prepare for their meetings at World Routes as, during the requesting process, access to Routesonline company profiles is available helping delegates select the right companies to meet with by providing all the information Routesonline has to offer straight to the central meeting requests page.

Company profiles on Routesonline can provide you with a wealth of information about the company you’re meeting with. Make sure your own company profile is kept up to date and start connecting with other delegates on Routesonline in the weeks leading up to the event. Initiate new, or continue existing dialogue with prospective customers ahead those all important meetings, whether pre-arranged or not, which will take place in Chicago.

Earlier this week Routes, in partnership with ASM and Flightglobal, delivered a webinar giving delegates the opportunity to hear from industry specialists advising on the perfect presentation ahead of World Routes 2014. If you missed it, don’t worry you can download it here.

Learn how to schedule, create and present all the essential information that airlines expect to hear.

World Routes App

Available to download soon, the World Routes 2014 App will ensure that all essential information is available to you at all times. The App will once again provide easy access to full delegate listings, final diary access, and the event programme ensuring delegates are fully prepared for the day’s business. Additional features of the Routes App include all an interactive floorplan, Strategy Summit speaker profiles, activity feed, your own personal profile, airline table numbers, social media links, and the opportunity to earn rewards and badges whilst competing on the app leader board.

New for this year, is the functionality to arrange your diary directly through the app. Once logged in delegates can request extra meetings, accept new ones and even send messages to arrange informal meetings during networking opportunities. With instant delivery the electronic extra meeting system is the quickest and easiest way to maximise your time and arrange your diary.

Further details about the Routes App and how to download it will be sent to all delegates prior to the event.

World Routes 2014 Marketing Awards

There is only one week left to vote or campaign to your airlines for a place in the World Routes 2014 Marketing Awards. If you are a member of the airline network planning community then make sure you have your say and register your vote now.

When placing their vote on Routesonline.com, airlines should consider airports and destinations whose marketing efforts, over the last 12 months, have made a real impact on their future network development plans. Their market research activities, marketing communications, business case presentations and joint communication campaigns with third parties should all be taken into account when voting.

Once the airline network planning community has voted, the votes will be counted and the shortlisted airports and destinations contacted and asked for a submission to support their nomination.

Automatically shortlisted in the relevant category will be the overall winners of each of the regional heats which took place earlier this year; Tampa International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, City Airport Bremen and Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Winners of these highly regarded awards will be announced during a ceremony which will take place at the World Routes Networking Evening on Monday 22 September which will take place at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Visit the World Routes Marketing Awards page on our website for important dates and all of the information you will need about the awards process.

Hotel & flight information

If you have not yet secured your flights and hotel reservation, you should do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. This year’s event will be held at Chicago's McCormick Place, the premier convention facility in North America, located just minutes from downtown Chicago, and attracting close to 3 million visitors each year.

There are many hotels to choose from in Chicago, however, we recommend delegates stay in one of our preferred hotels during World Routes 2014, as not only will you enjoy discounted rates, but airport transfers and transport to and from McCormick Place will also be provided. You will also find dedicated World Routes information desks at each hotel, where you can get advice and information on all the event details.

There are a wide range of preferred hotels to choose from during your time in Chicago, and each is within a 15 minute walk of McCormick Place. For more information on each of the hotels available to you and to book your room please click here. All hotel bookings are managed by Events in Focus, the official World Routes booking agent.

To find out more about World Routes 2014 or to book your place at the event, visit our website.

Visa requirements

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation to travel to Chicago. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months beyond the period of stay, however, most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits within a certain period. Further information regarding which countries will require a visa to enter Chicago can be found here.

In addition to the visa application form, relevant fees and photos, embassies may also require a letter of invitation from the inviting company. Delegates requiring such a document from our hosts, Chicago Department of Aviation and Choose Chicago, should complete the electronic request form in full ensuring accuracy throughout.

Click here for further information on how to begin your visa application process and to request your invitation letter.

We’ll see you in Chicago for World Routes 2014!

Victoria Jones

Victoria is Communications Manager for Routes, providing media support for Routes events. If you're a member of the media and wish to attend one of…