In this episode we’re going to look at useful language for handling the practical details of a business visit, such as airport pickup and restaurant or hotel booking. And we’ll also practice ways to create and maintain goodwill by demonstrating flexibility and responding politely on the phone.

Viva is an Italian fashion company. Viva representatives Marco and Francesca are preparing to attend a fashion expo in Las Vegas with their American distributor, Foxtrot. A fashion expo, or exposition, is a kind of trade show or conference in which potential buyers look at manufacturers’ goods.

In the dialog Marco is calling his contact Adriana at Foxtrot in the USA to discuss the details of the visit.

Listening Questions:

1) What information does Adriana get from Marco?

She gets his flight information so that she can pick him up at the airport.

2) What does Marco need help with?

Marco has already booked his and Francesca’s flight, but he accepts her offer to help with booking a hotel and making a restaurant reservation.

3) Does Marco have any special requirements for the hotel?

Marco doesn’t really have any special requirements for the hotel, but he does want to make sure that it has internet access and a business center and that it’s close to the exhibition center where the expo will be held.

4) Does Marco have any special requirements for the hotel?

He jokingly says he’d like Italian, but then he indicates that he’s very flexible and that it doesn’t matter to him: He says he and Francesca are “up for anything.”

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