The story behind the launch of SkiLaunch

SkiLaunch was first established in 1996 as the Association of British Travel Organisers to France (ABTOF) Ski Lunch.

It ran annually in partnership with the French Government Tourist Office (Atout France) and soon grew into the important ski trade event that we know today.

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The curtain-raiser for the new season

Musical Chairs

ABTOF's PR Coordinator, Paddy Daly organised a busy schedule of annual media and travel trade events for ABTOF, including the ABTOF Ski Lunch. By the early 'noughties', the event was attracting more delegates and the renowned ‘musical chairs’ networking format was introduced. Tour operators changed tables for each course to meet as many press contacts as possible.

A morning plenary session was added. Popular with sponsors who saw it as an efficient and effective way to connect with the press and operators in one go, growth continued and the Ski Lunch event relocated to The Copthorne Tara in 2008.

SkiLaunch

By 2013, Paddy Daly had left ABTOF to establish Paddy Daly PR, and was invited by ABTOF to run the Ski Lunch that year. Despite the success of the Ski Lunch, ABTOF itself was wound up in 2015, presenting Paddy with a great opportunity. He saw the potential and reimagined the Ski Lunch, relaunching and rebranding it as 'SkiLaunch' that very year.

Launch the New Season

SkiLaunch soon established itself as the unofficial curtain-raiser for the new ski season. Ideal to help tour operators and resorts launch their new offering to the UK ski press, SkiLaunch also attracted leading service and accommodation providers, and European and North American tourist offices. Ever since launching in 2015, SkiLaunch takes place on the second Tuesday in September every year, and synchronises with other key pre-season ski trade events. The regular SkiLaunch team consists of Paddy Daly, Ian Martin and Mike Goldwater.