1. Introduction
Networking in travel retail has long been driven by live industry events such as those organized by TFWA and Moodie Davitt, where professionals gather to meet potential partners, discuss trends, and explore new business opportunities. While these events are invaluable, they are also time-bound, location-dependent, and often limited to existing networks.
Enter Boardy, an AI-powered networking tool that takes a proactive and personalized approach to making industry connections—anytime, anywhere. Instead of relying on chance meetings at conferences, Boardy calls you directly and engages in a conversation about your current business needs and interests. Based on that discussion, the AI identifies and introduces you to relevant professionals, effectively acting as an intelligent super-connector that helps build meaningful, strategic relationships beyond traditional networking events.
2. What’s Happening?
Boardy is an AI-driven networking platform that connects professionals by analyzing their needs in real-time and facilitating meaningful introductions. The process is simple yet powerful:
- You receive a call from Boardy and have a conversation with its AI assistant.
- The AI listens, processes your needs, and understands the types of connections that would be most valuable to you.
- Based on its vast network, Boardy then matches you with relevant professionals and facilitates the introduction.
Unlike conventional networking methods, Boardy eliminates the guesswork and expands opportunities beyond in-person events, ensuring that the right connections happen exactly when they are needed.
3. Impact on Global Travel Retail
For travel retail professionals, this new form of AI-powered networking presents several significant benefits:
- Continuous, On-Demand Networking – No longer limited to scheduled industry events, professionals can find relevant connections throughout the year.
- Precision Matching – Instead of hoping to meet the right people at a crowded event, Boardy’s AI finds and introduces the most relevant contacts for your needs.
- Efficient Business Growth – Travel brands, retailers, and operators can connect faster, reducing the time it takes to form valuable partnerships.
- Access to a Broader Network – AI expands networking beyond existing connections, introducing professionals to people they may never have encountered otherwise.
4. Expert Take
The traditional model of networking at travel retail trade shows and summits remains valuable, but it has limitations. Boardy is not here to replace in-person events but to complement them—bringing AI-driven efficiency and smart matchmaking to the industry.
For travel retail professionals, this means:
- No more waiting for the next big event to discover business opportunities.
- No missed connections due to scheduling conflicts at busy conferences.
- A data-driven approach to networking, ensuring introductions are based on relevance, not just proximity.
AI-powered solutions like Boardy enhance the way professionals connect, collaborate, and create opportunities—making the travel retail industry more dynamic than ever before.
5. Action Points for Travel Retail Stakeholders
- Try AI-Powered Networking – Experiment with Boardy or similar AI-driven networking tools to see how they can expand your professional reach.
- Integrate AI Networking into Business Development – Use AI-powered introductions to accelerate partnerships, product placements, and strategic collaborations.
- Leverage AI Beyond Events – Combine traditional event-based networking with AI-driven introductions to maximize opportunities year-round.
6. Final Thoughts & Call to Action
AI is redefining professional networking, making it smarter, faster, and more accessible. For travel retail professionals, this means better connections, stronger collaborations, and new business opportunities—all powered by AI.
