April Hutchinson
“Thank you for the opportunity to tell our story now,” says April Hutchinson, Head of Luxury at TTG Media, as soon as she sits down with us for an exclusive interview to unveil all about Black Book, their brand's new luxury travel show in the city of London.
This year 2026 marks the event’s debut, for which XO Private has become an official partner. For readers discovering and hearing of Black Book for the first time, its concept and role are a necessary addition to the industry: a boutique-scale trade show that will see 250 delegates converge at the Business Design Centre in London this October.
Designed specifically for the UK market, Hutchinson explains that this trade show offers a curation-first approach to one-to-one meetings, combined with meaningful agent-centric conference content, and an encouraging atmosphere to drive serendipitous networking. “With the combination of these three elements, we believe we are creating the perfect formula for an inspiring event, and are drawing on our rich history in the travel industry, as well as a 20-year reputation for innovation in the luxury travel space,” she says.
With the aim of making attendance as straight-forward and accessible as possible, the TTG team has come up with a ‘turnkey’ solution for exhibitors. This way, they can simply arrive, plug in, and meet senior-level decision-makers and travel designers within their private stand or booth. This translates into great ROI, with a strong number of meetings and additional networking options.
Luxury travel advisors, in turn, will be hosted overnight at a range of excellent hotels across London, thus ‘spreading the love’ across a number of host properties. “Advisors will be able to build out their knowledge and contacts in a time-efficient way in their personalised meetings without too much time away from their clients,” says Hutchinson.
This year 2026 marks the event’s debut, for which XO Private has become an official partner. For readers discovering and hearing of Black Book for the first time, its concept and role are a necessary addition to the industry: a boutique-scale trade show that will see 250 delegates converge at the Business Design Centre in London this October.
Designed specifically for the UK market, Hutchinson explains that this trade show offers a curation-first approach to one-to-one meetings, combined with meaningful agent-centric conference content, and an encouraging atmosphere to drive serendipitous networking. “With the combination of these three elements, we believe we are creating the perfect formula for an inspiring event, and are drawing on our rich history in the travel industry, as well as a 20-year reputation for innovation in the luxury travel space,” she says.
With the aim of making attendance as straight-forward and accessible as possible, the TTG team has come up with a ‘turnkey’ solution for exhibitors. This way, they can simply arrive, plug in, and meet senior-level decision-makers and travel designers within their private stand or booth. This translates into great ROI, with a strong number of meetings and additional networking options.
Luxury travel advisors, in turn, will be hosted overnight at a range of excellent hotels across London, thus ‘spreading the love’ across a number of host properties. “Advisors will be able to build out their knowledge and contacts in a time-efficient way in their personalised meetings without too much time away from their clients,” says Hutchinson.
TTG Media is the powerhouse behind this innovative show. For those not yet familiar with the brand, TTG stands for Travel Trade Gazette, which was the world’s first travel trade newspaper of its kind, launched in the UK in 1953 by Leslie Stone and Ted Kirkham. Fast forward to 2026, Hutchinson explains, TTG Media is an award-winning, independent London-based media and events business.
Black Book is the company’s first luxury travel show of its kind, though it’s not its first rodeo within the luxury space. As Hutchinson explains: “This is truly exciting for us! For almost two decades, TTG Media has pioneered a strong presence in this space via our innovative TTG Luxury brand, under which I am thrilled to have launched many other ‘firsts’, like the first B2B magazine for premium travel professionals with a consumer feel and the first luxury travel recognition programme for the trade via the TTG Luxury Travel Awards. With our Luxpo event, we were also instrumental in building an independent, multi-sector, one-to-one meetings landscape for the UK's luxury trade more than a decade ago”.
Kindly, she adds: “I hope you don’t mind, but I say all this not to boast, rather to show how we have always looked to what the market wants and needs, and responded to feedback while evolving ourselves. So, all this combined led us to the conclusion that the time is now to launch Black Book, and feel we are well equipped to create a larger event in a market which we love”.
Black Book is the company’s first luxury travel show of its kind, though it’s not its first rodeo within the luxury space. As Hutchinson explains: “This is truly exciting for us! For almost two decades, TTG Media has pioneered a strong presence in this space via our innovative TTG Luxury brand, under which I am thrilled to have launched many other ‘firsts’, like the first B2B magazine for premium travel professionals with a consumer feel and the first luxury travel recognition programme for the trade via the TTG Luxury Travel Awards. With our Luxpo event, we were also instrumental in building an independent, multi-sector, one-to-one meetings landscape for the UK's luxury trade more than a decade ago”.
Kindly, she adds: “I hope you don’t mind, but I say all this not to boast, rather to show how we have always looked to what the market wants and needs, and responded to feedback while evolving ourselves. So, all this combined led us to the conclusion that the time is now to launch Black Book, and feel we are well equipped to create a larger event in a market which we love”.
Consequently, Black Book is set out to be a more ‘classical’ show: held in a large-scale, exhibition-specific venue with stands and booths, though matched with highly curated attendance. “All travel advisors are vetted and referenced, while exhibitors are carefully selected to represent a strong multi-thematic collection of passionate brands and destinations under one roof. This is combined with agent-first conference content and plenty of networking opportunities. We didn’t see this exact formula coming together currently elsewhere in the market at this scale and dedicated to UK-based advisors, so we set ourselves to creating it,” she says.
Needless to say, their experienced team didn’t jump into it blindly. Rather, she confesses, the show stems from painstaking research. Even the name wasn’t chosen at random, but after hearing consistent feedback from clients wanting access to TTG Luxury’s ‘Black Book of contacts and ideas’.
“An independent company carried out research with both sides: agents and suppliers. We know agents need and want time-efficient ways to meet new with new and established contacts to help them inspire their clients and get the assistance they need to surprise and delight. Meanwhile, we know suppliers need to navigate a fragmented luxury travel advisor landscape here in the UK - it can be hard to manage the dispersed focus needed, and to distinguish serious agents from hobbyists these days. Both have a place, but for serious, active and long-term sales, suppliers cannot waste resources on low-value relationships. All of this is foremost in our minds as we execute Black Book and we are creating a community that brings both sides together to help solve the above dilemma,” Hutchinson explains.
So, in essence, how does the format work in practice, and what can attendees of Black Book expect across the two-day show? Though defined by an exquisite organisation and structure, the event is equally fuelled by passion. It will be delivered from the heart, so to speak, with plenty of social moments too: “There will be 17 meeting slots per day, giving the opportunity to make up to 34 appointments, which will take place in the private meeting booths of our 100 exhibitors. Each morning, the day will kick off with a networking breakfast for all, followed by an hour of agent-centric conference content across three stages, so people can choose which sessions they are most interested to attend. Naturally, there is also an on-site networking lunch each day to make further contacts, and a farewell drinks reception on day two”.
Needless to say, their experienced team didn’t jump into it blindly. Rather, she confesses, the show stems from painstaking research. Even the name wasn’t chosen at random, but after hearing consistent feedback from clients wanting access to TTG Luxury’s ‘Black Book of contacts and ideas’.
“An independent company carried out research with both sides: agents and suppliers. We know agents need and want time-efficient ways to meet new with new and established contacts to help them inspire their clients and get the assistance they need to surprise and delight. Meanwhile, we know suppliers need to navigate a fragmented luxury travel advisor landscape here in the UK - it can be hard to manage the dispersed focus needed, and to distinguish serious agents from hobbyists these days. Both have a place, but for serious, active and long-term sales, suppliers cannot waste resources on low-value relationships. All of this is foremost in our minds as we execute Black Book and we are creating a community that brings both sides together to help solve the above dilemma,” Hutchinson explains.
So, in essence, how does the format work in practice, and what can attendees of Black Book expect across the two-day show? Though defined by an exquisite organisation and structure, the event is equally fuelled by passion. It will be delivered from the heart, so to speak, with plenty of social moments too: “There will be 17 meeting slots per day, giving the opportunity to make up to 34 appointments, which will take place in the private meeting booths of our 100 exhibitors. Each morning, the day will kick off with a networking breakfast for all, followed by an hour of agent-centric conference content across three stages, so people can choose which sessions they are most interested to attend. Naturally, there is also an on-site networking lunch each day to make further contacts, and a farewell drinks reception on day two”.
With this first edition taking place from the 21st - 22nd October 2026, the show is set to connect 150 elite advisors with over 100 luxury brands. Of course, for travel advisors this is a fully hosted event: no fee to attend, all lunches included at the show, and accommodation across some of London’s finest hotels for the evening of October 21st. However, the Black Book team has also secured special rates for their exhibitor partners wishing to spend the nights at the adjacent hotel during participation.
To ensure the right match between buyers and suppliers, Hutchinson says their focus lies on giving people the opportunity to liaise with relevant current and future partners. To do this, she says, they will be using an AI-driven meeting scheduling platform to guide attendees around online profiles and help them make informed decisions on who to meet with.
“Travel advisor data already given during the recruitment and selection process will be plugged into the platform to create their profiles; ditto suppliers will provide their bios and preferences. This will allow both sides to select their preferences of meetings based on their needs and interests,” the Head of Luxury says.
Meeting slots are planned for 15 minutes each, a calculated decision rooted in the yearly feedback TTG Media has received from both advisors and suppliers saying this is “just the right amount of time”. The boutique nature of the show should allow for easy transition times between meetings, with plenty of the Black Book team on-hand to guide advisors around the stands and booths.
“To keep these interactions meaningful, we will also offer the opportunity to contact each other before the meetings via the platform to establish an additional warm bond. The profiles - if read in advance - should also provide both sides with the chance to understand more about who they are meeting with, so there will be less time needed on introductions and more time for mutual education and relationship building. In addition, we are working on a ‘how to meet’ guide, which will be both a fun and practical concept around making the most of the time at Black Book!” says Hutchinson.
To ensure the right match between buyers and suppliers, Hutchinson says their focus lies on giving people the opportunity to liaise with relevant current and future partners. To do this, she says, they will be using an AI-driven meeting scheduling platform to guide attendees around online profiles and help them make informed decisions on who to meet with.
“Travel advisor data already given during the recruitment and selection process will be plugged into the platform to create their profiles; ditto suppliers will provide their bios and preferences. This will allow both sides to select their preferences of meetings based on their needs and interests,” the Head of Luxury says.
Meeting slots are planned for 15 minutes each, a calculated decision rooted in the yearly feedback TTG Media has received from both advisors and suppliers saying this is “just the right amount of time”. The boutique nature of the show should allow for easy transition times between meetings, with plenty of the Black Book team on-hand to guide advisors around the stands and booths.
“To keep these interactions meaningful, we will also offer the opportunity to contact each other before the meetings via the platform to establish an additional warm bond. The profiles - if read in advance - should also provide both sides with the chance to understand more about who they are meeting with, so there will be less time needed on introductions and more time for mutual education and relationship building. In addition, we are working on a ‘how to meet’ guide, which will be both a fun and practical concept around making the most of the time at Black Book!” says Hutchinson.
Beyond the one-to-one meetings, the event programme includes conference content each morning. As mentioned earlier, TTG has been operating in this space for almost 75 years, so they thoroughly understand the needs and dynamics of the industry. Plus, they also ran the TTG Luxury Travel Summit for many years, so April Hutchinson has personally spent a long time curating content and speakers for its annual thought-leadership conferences. On top of this, she adds, they have also started to see how much luxury advisors truly value advice that can help them grow and develop personally and as a business.
“Taking this on board, we will respectfully deliver relevant conference content to fit their needs. They will have plenty of time for accessing product updates during the show’s meetings with exhibitors, so the conference content is all about tips and trends to help them stay one step ahead with their brand. We will have three thematic stages, and each morning, there will be an hour of sessions available at each stage. This means we will offer a menu of 12 sessions across the two days, providing inspiring and practical takeaways. I can’t reveal too much yet, but follow along on our channels and in the Black Book newsletter as we count down the months to the event! Think targeted training, relevant industry discussions, high-calibre market insights, actionable business ideas, and innovative trends”, she says enthusiastically.
All in all, Black Book is providing a one-stop-shop for curious travel advisors in the UK & Ireland, and as such, it welcomes supplier brands and destinations who really want to reinforce their presence in this market.
“Taking this on board, we will respectfully deliver relevant conference content to fit their needs. They will have plenty of time for accessing product updates during the show’s meetings with exhibitors, so the conference content is all about tips and trends to help them stay one step ahead with their brand. We will have three thematic stages, and each morning, there will be an hour of sessions available at each stage. This means we will offer a menu of 12 sessions across the two days, providing inspiring and practical takeaways. I can’t reveal too much yet, but follow along on our channels and in the Black Book newsletter as we count down the months to the event! Think targeted training, relevant industry discussions, high-calibre market insights, actionable business ideas, and innovative trends”, she says enthusiastically.
All in all, Black Book is providing a one-stop-shop for curious travel advisors in the UK & Ireland, and as such, it welcomes supplier brands and destinations who really want to reinforce their presence in this market.
“The affluent UK consumer is one of the world’s most advanced when it comes to taste and appetite for travel, so for any brand wishing to capitalise on this desire, Black Book represents an amazing opportunity to connect with this demographic and the luxury travel advisors who steer their travel plans. Those who wish to grow their brand/destination awareness in the UK market (one with an outbound travel value of US$ 98.2 billion, according to Future Market Insights) and understand what the opportunities are, will find Black Book serves them well,” says Hutchinson.
Marking a huge success already, before it even kicks off, the show is proud that it will be hosting a cornucopia of suppliers from around the world: from delightful one-off hotels to larger hotel groups looking deepen relationships, luxury cruise brands, high-end transportation services, elegant DMCs, UK-based luxury tour operators, and a wide range of destination tourist offices. Among these, Hutchinson adds she is thrilled that XO Private will be present at Black Book as a partner and with its dedicated area to showcase its attending members, including Homanie Luxury Rentals, Ayu in the Wild, Blue Lagoon, Claudia Da Rin Collection Hotels & Yachts, Inter Maldives, Collezione EM, Enigma Peru, Galaxy Cruises, Happy Travel & Tourism, and Villa Delight.
As for the buyers, for its first edition Black Book wants to focus on more experienced travel designers capable of selling luxury travel in order to ensure high quality meetings. For this reason, they have set certain criteria within the application process: “This does mean we seek advisors with a minimum of two years’ experience, certain thresholds around their personal sales, and confirmation they are able to sell a wide range of high-end leisure travel, as well as looking for references from industry suppliers to ‘rubber stamp’ each one so we know they are reputable and verified”.
However, she adds that in no way should this discourage newcomers. “I welcome their outreach and share their excitement at joining this wonderful industry of ours, and for now am happy to discuss around what it would need to look like for them to be considered next time! This is a vibrant space in the UK, with many luxury advisors of all shapes and sizes; I am confident we will welcome a great cross-section of them from around the county to join us all in London,” Hutchinson explains.
Marking a huge success already, before it even kicks off, the show is proud that it will be hosting a cornucopia of suppliers from around the world: from delightful one-off hotels to larger hotel groups looking deepen relationships, luxury cruise brands, high-end transportation services, elegant DMCs, UK-based luxury tour operators, and a wide range of destination tourist offices. Among these, Hutchinson adds she is thrilled that XO Private will be present at Black Book as a partner and with its dedicated area to showcase its attending members, including Homanie Luxury Rentals, Ayu in the Wild, Blue Lagoon, Claudia Da Rin Collection Hotels & Yachts, Inter Maldives, Collezione EM, Enigma Peru, Galaxy Cruises, Happy Travel & Tourism, and Villa Delight.
As for the buyers, for its first edition Black Book wants to focus on more experienced travel designers capable of selling luxury travel in order to ensure high quality meetings. For this reason, they have set certain criteria within the application process: “This does mean we seek advisors with a minimum of two years’ experience, certain thresholds around their personal sales, and confirmation they are able to sell a wide range of high-end leisure travel, as well as looking for references from industry suppliers to ‘rubber stamp’ each one so we know they are reputable and verified”.
However, she adds that in no way should this discourage newcomers. “I welcome their outreach and share their excitement at joining this wonderful industry of ours, and for now am happy to discuss around what it would need to look like for them to be considered next time! This is a vibrant space in the UK, with many luxury advisors of all shapes and sizes; I am confident we will welcome a great cross-section of them from around the county to join us all in London,” Hutchinson explains.
To host this magnificent upcoming event, the TTG Media group has chosen none other than the Business Design Centre in London. “Being a new fixture on the luxury events calendar, we chose this location to give a clear and immediate indication of the scope and nature of the event, as the Business Design Centre (BDC) is a purpose-built exhibition and gathering place. Now almost 40 years old in its current guise, it has a rich history based on the foundations of the former Royal Agricultural Hall, built over 160 years ago. A Grade II-listed building, it’s located in the North London district of Islington, so is woven into the fabric of that area. In addition, the BDC is a B-Corp certified business, which also aligns with TTG Media’s own certification in this field. B-Corp – for those who are not aware – means a business has been verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency,” she says.
But what’s more, she adds: “London is also the best city in the world… But then I’m biased, having lived and worked there for 30 years. And on a practical note, the majority of people we researched at the start of this process said London was the best fit for an event like this. It’s of course well connected as a transport hub, so hopefully easy to get to and get around, and we hope that anyone attending Black Book also gets a chance to use the time before and after the show to make the most of this most dynamic of locations”.
But what’s more, she adds: “London is also the best city in the world… But then I’m biased, having lived and worked there for 30 years. And on a practical note, the majority of people we researched at the start of this process said London was the best fit for an event like this. It’s of course well connected as a transport hub, so hopefully easy to get to and get around, and we hope that anyone attending Black Book also gets a chance to use the time before and after the show to make the most of this most dynamic of locations”.
During the event, Black Book will also become the backdrop for the “Top 20 Luxury Travel Agencies”, a unique awards gathering built on TTG’s wider programme, called “Top 50 Travel Agencies” (now in its 10th year). This branches out as part of another earlier research project that revealed how luxury advisors sometimes struggle to stand out in a sea of travel options, and so would appreciate something that gave them the legitimacy to do so.
“Over 10 categories, we comb carefully over submissions and finalists also undergo video judging interviews, so we really get into granular detail to make sure we award the best 20 across the agent community; this is for agencies, not individuals. We also crown the UK & Ireland’s No1 Luxury Travel Agency, a real accolade for any business. This year the programme will be integrated into Black Book. This means that, as well as a two-day luxury trade show, we will host a gala event built around this meaningful recognition. On the 21st October, we will reveal the Top 20 agencies who made the final count during a dazzling evening of celebration at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. All Black Book exhibitors are invited, with a complimentary ticket to attend and further mingle with agents and the wider luxury community”.
As Head of Luxury at TTG Media, April happily explains that seeing Black Book come alive is, essentially, what truly excites her about her job lately: “This is the culmination of everything we have poured into developing a luxury portfolio over 20 years: Black Book is the evolutionary result of all that experience and passion”. However, she’s also thrilled about building a valuable community. Yes, it can sometimes be the case that people attend shows once a year but don’t really have much binding them in between times, but being a media brand with content and communication strengths, in her opinion they can also bridge a gap here, as their new Black Book monthly newsletter will do just that.
As for what success looks like for her in this first edition, practically, she just wants everyone to feel things went smoothly, and that they leave feeling energised, excited and inspired. “I also particularly want our valued travel advisor friends to walk away thinking ‘I’m so glad I attended’, and for them to feel as if their needs have been addressed as much as the exhibitors. That is success to me; if we tick all these boxes, a positive future should follow".
“Over 10 categories, we comb carefully over submissions and finalists also undergo video judging interviews, so we really get into granular detail to make sure we award the best 20 across the agent community; this is for agencies, not individuals. We also crown the UK & Ireland’s No1 Luxury Travel Agency, a real accolade for any business. This year the programme will be integrated into Black Book. This means that, as well as a two-day luxury trade show, we will host a gala event built around this meaningful recognition. On the 21st October, we will reveal the Top 20 agencies who made the final count during a dazzling evening of celebration at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. All Black Book exhibitors are invited, with a complimentary ticket to attend and further mingle with agents and the wider luxury community”.
As Head of Luxury at TTG Media, April happily explains that seeing Black Book come alive is, essentially, what truly excites her about her job lately: “This is the culmination of everything we have poured into developing a luxury portfolio over 20 years: Black Book is the evolutionary result of all that experience and passion”. However, she’s also thrilled about building a valuable community. Yes, it can sometimes be the case that people attend shows once a year but don’t really have much binding them in between times, but being a media brand with content and communication strengths, in her opinion they can also bridge a gap here, as their new Black Book monthly newsletter will do just that.
As for what success looks like for her in this first edition, practically, she just wants everyone to feel things went smoothly, and that they leave feeling energised, excited and inspired. “I also particularly want our valued travel advisor friends to walk away thinking ‘I’m so glad I attended’, and for them to feel as if their needs have been addressed as much as the exhibitors. That is success to me; if we tick all these boxes, a positive future should follow".
“Industry professionals should consider attending because it is focused, time-smart, inspiring and built by a trusted brand, as well as being held in incredible London of course”.
On a more personal note, before wrapping up, we ask Hutchinson to tell us about her vision for Black Book as it unfolds over the next few years. Undoubtedly, her first goal is for the show to become the ‘must attend’ event for the UK, both among their own UK-based community there, and, as she puts it, the global audience looking for the right show for them ‘in this neck of the woods’.
“We all want Black Book to deliver on its premise of a highly effective and inspiring showcase that offers a chance to collaborate with the best. If we get that right, I’ll be happy, and will then let market forces take effect. Our aim is to deliver the right people, in the right numbers, in the right environment within the backdrop of a premium, curated UK luxury trade show backed by a major industry brand. We believe it is possible to deliver an intimate-in-nature event (curate your own meetings; private booths to conduct appointments; personalised communications) that is also mid-sized and scaleable,” she claims.
For now, her and the team do see Black Book as a UK-based show, but if the format, philosophy and brand gain traction and respect, Hutchinson says: “Who knows where it might go: watch this space!"
“We all want Black Book to deliver on its premise of a highly effective and inspiring showcase that offers a chance to collaborate with the best. If we get that right, I’ll be happy, and will then let market forces take effect. Our aim is to deliver the right people, in the right numbers, in the right environment within the backdrop of a premium, curated UK luxury trade show backed by a major industry brand. We believe it is possible to deliver an intimate-in-nature event (curate your own meetings; private booths to conduct appointments; personalised communications) that is also mid-sized and scaleable,” she claims.
For now, her and the team do see Black Book as a UK-based show, but if the format, philosophy and brand gain traction and respect, Hutchinson says: “Who knows where it might go: watch this space!"
Black Book, London - At a glimpse
Where does it take place?
Business Design Centre
London, UK
Who attends?
100+ luxury travel brands and exhibitors & 150+ elite travel advisors
How many days & meetings?
The show takes place across two days, and 34 appointments per attendee in total
Target Market
UK & Ireland
Upcoming edition
21 - 22 October 2026
Where does it take place?
Business Design Centre
London, UK
Who attends?
100+ luxury travel brands and exhibitors & 150+ elite travel advisors
How many days & meetings?
The show takes place across two days, and 34 appointments per attendee in total
Target Market
UK & Ireland
Upcoming edition
21 - 22 October 2026
Zoila Checa
