The VirtYule Christmas Party will be held from 3pm to 7pm on 17 December, complete with Christmas dress code and a strict ban on chat about the Covid crisis, Brexit, Donald Trump – or just what a terrible year it’s been.
"We know everyone’s had a tough year, and we know everyone’s had enough of online events," said the organisers. "But wouldn’t it be fun to put all that behind us for one day and have a bit of fun?
"This won’t be a conference. It won’t be an exhibition. It won’t have any webinars filled with content about how travel will bounce back in 2021. We simply want everyone to have a good time."
TCG managing director Howard Salinger said: “Most people working in travel and tourism have had a difficult year.
"Regular networking has not been possible for most of the year, with conferences and exhibitions all being cancelled or moved online. We thought an event like this is what we all need."
Debenham Links managing director Rob Debenham added: “This event is all about fun and creating a good Christmas vibe.
"It’s an opportunity for us all to put 2020 behind us and go back to what our industry does best, being social and spending quality time with our friends and colleagues.”
Kuoni was the event’s first official partner, and several other companies will be involved.
“Kuoni are very pleased to be supporting Travel’s VirtYule Christmas Party," said marketing director Dean Harvey.
"We think Howard and Rob have come up with a great idea and given us all an opportunity to get together, have some fun, and bring some joy to the start of the festive season.”
Companies can use the event as a form of promotion, either by being the headline sponsor, sponsoring the entertainment elements involved, or by buying a VirtYule lounge where they can host up to 50 people.
Individual VirtYule tickets are £10. VirtYule tables cost £100, with five VirtYule tickets included in the package.
More details are available from the TCG website.
