Senior executives from America’s leading travel companies meet to debate the most profitable distribution strategies

Top executives representing the leading hospitality companies and distributors will share their wealth of experience, knowledge and expert predictions at EyeforTravel’s annual Travel Distribution Summit North America, being held in Chicago on 4-5 October 2006.

How can travel companies profit from fundamental changes in online travel distribution? Which marketing approaches deliver the greatest ROI? What new ways are there to communicate with your customers? These are just some of the questions top speakers will be addressing at this unique event. Hear from Marriott, Hilton, American Airlines, Starwood, Royal Caribbean, TripAdvisor, Cheapflights, Carlson Wagonlit, Travelocity, AAA, Priceline, Cendant Hotel Group, Sidestep, Carlson Hotels and many more. (Scroll down to the bottom for a full speaker list)

For more information click here

This year’s event sees a substantial growth from last year. An unrivalled speaker line-up and a highly researched agenda means that delegates will be able to return to their business armed with tools and information simply not available from any other source. Plus an array of networking opportunities (all included in the price of the conference pass) will give high-level travel executives the opportunity to establish, cement and renew relationships with their industry peers.

To request a PDF brochure with a full agenda and a list of speakers click here

The industry is fully aware of the popularity of user-generated content, the potential of RSS feeds and the importance of rich media content in the purchasing process. But how are successful companies actually utilizing these tools to communicate and sell to their customers? And what are the practical challenges implementing the technology and analyzing the data? Speakers include TripAdvisor, AAA, Virtual Tourist, Starwood and Multimap.

The more traditional methods of distribution will also be evaluated by industry leaders. On day one there will be a presentations and a panel on the future of the GDSs. How are they evolving? Are they actually doing anything new? Why are companies still using them? On day two an extended panel debate will see Southwest, Cheapflights, Cendant and SideStep examining the pros and cons of the meta-search model.

Finally, due to popular demand their will be an afternoon track devoted entirely to Customer Relationship Management. VP’s from Travelocity Business and Hilton will be joined by the Director of Loyalty for Sol Melia Resorts. They will be discussing the best way to create loyalty and boost customer retention.

Plus Morning Keynote Sessions where speakers, who are top of their field in some of the world’s most profitable travel companies, share their experience and predictions:

•How can you lower your distribution costs through direct connectivity and standardization? Hear from the CIO at Continental Airlines, the SVP Sales from Royal Caribbean and the VP Distribution from Carlson Hotels how they are employing supplier links, direct connectivity and XML standards in their specific sector
•The relationship between suppliers, intermediaries and 3rd party sites is fundamental to the distribution of travel products online, and it is rapidly changing. The COO from Travelocity, a Managing Director from American Airlines and the SVP eCommerce from Marriott will come together for this opening keynote debate
•How do your target your consumers through search engines? What do you need to know to stay ahead? Representatives from AOL, Google and Yahoo will be assembled in the same room, giving delegates the opportunity to quiz them on their intentions when it comes to travel
•See how to adapt to and profit from fundamental changes in corporate travel distribution. Speakers include the GM & COO from Orbitz for Business, the Chief Executive from Hogg Robinson and the COO from Carlson Wagonlit

High-profile industry associations, such as ASTA, HTNG, ATME, SEMPO, the Frequent Travel Marketing Association and the OpenTravel Alliance, will all be hosting educational seminars alongside the main conference. They will be unveiling their latest research in the areas of distribution, technology, online marketing, revenue optimization and direct connectivity.

With such an extensive list of sessions and topics available, delegates will be able to select the issues that are top of their agenda and take away knowledge that is directly relevant to their particular area of expertise.

For more information on this event click here

And if delegates register before 18th August they can take advantage of EyeforTravel’s early bird discount and save money on the price of their conference pass.

How to register:
Online: https://secure.firstconf.com/travel/
tdsusa2006/secure.asp
Email: Helen Raff at [email protected]
Telephone: +1 773 929 4032

Tracey Weber, COO, Travelocity
Shafiq Khan, SVP e-Commerce, Marriott
Chris Bradshaw, former CEO, LasVegas.com
Charlie Sultan, MD Sales, Planning and Analysis, American Airlines
Thom Nulty, SVP Sales and Marketing, Aloha Airlines
Brett Keller, CMO, Priceline
David Radcliffe, CEO, BTI/Hogg Robinson
Michael Bennett, General Manager USA, Cheapflights.com
Dale DeAnne, VP Strategic Account Management and Consulting, Travelocity Business
Robin Ingle, SVP Advertising Sales, TripAdvisor
Jeff Kelisky, CEO, Multimap
Shirley Tafoya SVP Sales, Travelzoo
Lisa Bauer, SVP, North American Sales, Royal Caribbean
Derek Lewitton, VP Sales, ITA Software
Jeff DeKorte, VP/GM, Travel, AOL
John Tridgell, Industry Marketing Manager, Travel and Tourism, SDL International
Suzanne Thornley, Consultant, Hilton International
Michael Londregan, VP, The Americas , Tourism Australia
Steve Pinetti, SVP Sales and Marketing, Kimpton Group
Christine Shimasaki, EVP of Sales & Marketing, San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
Peter Harders, eCommerce Manager, Travel Guard
Dean Sivley, COO & General Manager, Travelport Corporate Solutions (Orbitz for Business)
Sandra Hughes, VP Travel Services, AAA
Larry Hall, CEO, Hotel Booking Solutions Inc.
Marc Rosenberg, VP Sales and Product Distribution, Air Canada
Jack O’Neill, COO, Carlson Wagonlit North America
John Peebles, VP Online Marketing, Cendant Car Rental
Gregory Saks, Senior Associate, Compete Inc.
Jake Fuller, Principal, Thomas Weisel Partners LLC
Jasper Malcolmson, General Manager, Yahoo! Travel
Burt Rosen, Senior Director Brand Distribution Services, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
JR Johnson, CEO, Virtual Tourist
Dave Williams, Chief Strategist, 360i
Beatrice Tarka, CEO & Co-Founder, Mobissimo
Rob Brown, Director Corporate Sales and Distribution, Southwest Airlines
Jim VonDerheide, VP CRM Strategies, Hilton Hotels Corporation
Dena Yahya, General Manager, Onetime.com
Dan O’Sullivan, Director of Travel Practice Group, Translations.com
Owen Wild, Director of Marketing, Amadeus North America
Rick Miller, Director e-Marketing, Trisept Solutions
Adriana Toledo, Loyalty Programs Director, The Americas Division,
Sol Meliá Hotels and Resorts
Peter Ortmann, Chairman/CEO, TahitiPetey International
Jeffrey Kessler, SVP, Lehman Brothers
Cormac Whelan, CEO, Datalex
James Rodriguez, VP eCommerce & National Accounts, Oceania Cruises
Christine Brosnahan, VP Distribution & Reservation Services, Carlson Hotels Worldwide
Anthony Rodio, VP Product Development, Sidestep
Wendi Mazzucco, Senior Director of Loyalty and Direct Marketing, Cendant Hotel Group
Ron Anderson-Lehman, VP & CIO, Continental Airlines