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EyeforTravel - Travel Distribution Executive Conference (2008)
1. Register before
18 July
Travel Distribution to
SAvE $300
Summit N. America 2008 on your conference pass
1-2 October, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas !
The Travel Distribution
Executive Conference
america’s biggest networking event for online
travel suppliers and distributors - Meet and
do business with 800+ of your potential
customers and partners in just 2 days
OPTIMIZE YOUR WEBSITE, LOWER YOUR Learn from the global leaders in travel
DISTRIBUTION COSTS, & THRIvE IN
TIMES Of ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
• Hear how the rise of next-generation travel
intermediaries will change the distribution landscape Frank Petito, SVP Corporate
Development, Orbitz Worldwide
Noreen Henry, VP Hotels and
Packaging, Travelocity
• Find out how to sell more travel even in a period of
economic downturn
• Maintain the profitability of your online advertising Tammy Peter, VP Global William Koo, Chief Marketing
campaigns despite rising costs Distribution Strategy, Wyndham Strategist, Castle Hotels and
Hotel Group Resorts
• Discover how to enhance your website content
and usability to increase traffic and improve
conversion rates
Brian Robb, SVP Corporate David Gross, SVP Global Airline
• Assess how evolution and innovation in the GDS Development, The Mark Travel Distribution, Sabre Travel
Corporation Network
space will impact distribution
• Get valuable insights in customer behavior and fine-
tune your distribution strategy for maximum results
• Use social media, widgets, mobile and videos to Matthew Cummack, SVP Keith Melnick, EVP Corporate
distribute to a wider audience Lodging, Expedia Development, Kayak
SPONSORS
Ken Penny, Sr. Director,
e-Commerce and Distribution Kristen Celko, VP Marketing,
Planning, Continental Airlines STA Travel
Get 3 COnferenCeS fOr the PrICe Of 1!
Book now and gain unlimited access to all tHRee
tRavel distRiBution summit confeRences - full details inside
2. “EyeforTravel delivered a proactive, forward-thinking and highly relevant agenda,
with great speakers, excellent discussions and frank audience interaction.
A great opportunity to network and participate in innovative discussion
about the present – and the future – of America’s travel industry”
Dena yahya, General Manager, Onetime.com, on last year’s Conference
For over a decade, the Travel Distribution Summit in the travel distribution landscape. As for the Web 2.0 opportunities, everyone’s
North America has been renowned for bringing At the Conference, we’ll firmly address the talking about social networking, user-generated
together thousands of marketing, technology and overriding issue on travel professionals’ agenda content, online communities, blogs, RSS, videos,
distribution executives. Quite simply, our shows right now: Weathering the storm and staying podcast videos and podcasts. And travel
go from strength to strength. We attract world profitable. You’ll discover how to maximize the customers are using these dynamic new online
class speakers. And we create an environment potential rewards of embracing Web 2.0 – and resources more and more frequently. Which
where business is not only talked about – but ensuring your business grows, whatever happens features are most important? Which can remain
also gets done. Thanks to our unrivalled to the economy – by optimizing your website, lower priority? What are the implications for
power to bring together high-powered people targeting the right people, and reducing your partnerships? And how do you actually monetize
who recognize the vital importance of finding current distribution costs. the ‘bells and whistles’ that every self-respecting
new inventory, new routes to market, and new website appears to need? As for widgets and
Take a look at the Conference Agenda and
business partners who can help turn strategy mobiles… budget-eater or money-maker? We’ll
see how the emphasis is on taking business
into lucrative reality, this event is a must-attend give you the information you need to decide what
intelligence – plus lessons learned by the global
for so many. will work best for your business – and what can
leaders in travel distribution – and applying it to
This year, two factors make your attendance be safely put on hold for now.
boost your own bottom line. The sessions on
more important than ever before. Firstly, distribution, for example, will help you achieve With hundreds of the world’s most successful
because 2008 is turning out to be a year of great maximum value, by enabling you to pinpoint travel distribution experts in the same room as
economic uncertainty. And secondly, because exactly how you should adjust your current you, you are guaranteed to meet the people who
history shows us that rocky economic times also strategy to better exploit the evolving landscape, can help take your business to the next level,
create a climate of opportunity. For those of us the latest moves by online intermediaries, and no matter which way the economic wind blows.
in travel, this opportunity may well have arrived in developments in the GDS space. Reserve your place right away, before the ‘Sold
the shape of Web 2.0, along with the latest shifts Out’ sign appears again.
Gain Unlimited Access to Three Co-Located Conferences with One Pass and
Choose from Over Twenty In-depth Sessions!
This year we have co-located three conferences three conferences, meaning that you can choose conference experience by selecting the sessions
under one roof to provide you with the from over twenty in-depth sessions examining that suit your areas of expertise and come away
opportunity to network with a greater variety and Technology, Ancillary Revenue, CRM, Revenue with a wealth of information and a list of contacts
number of travel executives. And purchasing Management, Pricing, Distribution, eCommerce that simply isn’t available anywhere else.
one conference pass gives you access to all and Online Marketing. Tailor your two-day
DAY 1 DAY 2
Networking Cocktail Party 5-7pm at the close of day one
TRaVEL REVEnuE anCiLLaRy THE TRaVEL REVEnuE anCiLLaRy
DisTRibuTiOn ManagEMEnT REVEnuE DisTRibuTiOn ManagEMEnT REVEnuE
ExECuTiVE & PRiCing in in TRaVEL ExECuTiVE & PRiCing in in TRaVEL
COnfEREnCE TRaVEL COnfEREnCE TRaVEL
Role of innovation How can ancillary Digital Trends ancillary Revenue
in Online Travel pricing in an Revenue Benefit Travel? for 2008 from a-Z
Economic
slowdown Which products to Forecasting Consumer Response
MO RNIN G
MO RNIN G
The Rise of next- Offer, and When? Customer to ancillary Revenue
Generation Travel Behavior
intermediaries
align Distribution managing ancillary
With Revenue Revenue internally impact of Changing is ancillary Revenue
How to sell Travel in an management and Externally Online advertising Fare structures on Rm program Consistent
Economic Downturn Campaigns with Your Brand?
profit Optimization
LUNCH BREAK
LUNCH BREAK
The staying power of
Traditional Tour Operators
The Role of Revenue profile Customers
Consumer-Centric with precise products
managers Third-party Revenue management
AFT E RN O ON
AFT E RN O ON
meta-search: Technology and
Who, How & When using social media to
ancillary Revenue Enhance Distribution ancillary Revenue
small & independent and loyalty
Dynamic packaging
Hotels Website
The Evolution Rm techniques for a Customers Optimization
of the GDs Groups & meeting space Willingness to pay
Rm and Condos
This is a visual representation and is not a timed agenda
REGISTER NOW AT www.eyefortravel.com/tdsusa
3. Day One: How is the Distribution Landscape Evolving and How Can you Benefit?
October 1st: 8.45am – 7.30pm 11.20 – 12.00: session 2: • At what point do your potential customers
decide to use Meta Search? And how do they
8.45 – 9.15: Keynote Presentation: Expert financial advice: get there?
The Role of innovation in the How to sell Travel in a Time • Will Meta Search continue to grow so fast –
and which categories are benefiting most?
sale of Online Travel of Economic instability
Gregory Saks, Director, Compete
• Will downturn lead inevitably to recession – and
• How have innovative sales and marketing
if so, what can the online travel industry do to 2.20 – 3.50 Networking Coffee Break
techniques kept travel as one of the largest and
protect itself?
fastest moving online verticals from 1999 to
now? What is predicted for the future? • What signs should you watch for – and what 3.50 – 5.20: session 3:
plans must you have ready to implement?
• What role have the GDSs and Online Travel
Agencies played in the growth of travel? • Which segments of the travel industry are most How is Evolution and
• How have companies like Orbitz, Kayak and
vulnerable to economic downturn? innovation in the gDs space
TripAdvisor led the way in online innovation? • Will the weak dollar be the primary factor in impacting the Distribution
keeping the American hospitality industry
• Will social networking actually help sell travel?
strong? Landscape?
Frank Petito, SVP Corporate Development,
• Which international markets are ripe for growth? • How are GDS’s evolving to meet the changing
Orbitz Worldwide
• Should you target emerging markets – or distribution requirements for travel suppliers
9.15 – 10.50: session 1: concentrate your efforts in Europe and Asia? and travel agents?
• How is ownership structure changing the online • Are GDS’s evolving into IT service providers?
The Rise of next-generation travel industry – and how is market share What new IT products have they developed to
Travel intermediaries: shifting? create efficiencies in distribution and reduce
costs?
How is the Distribution Jake Fuller, Managing Director,
Thomas Weisel Partners • Is GDS technology sufficiently flexible for
Landscape shifting? Mark Mahaney, Director of Internet Research, complex fare structures, like Air Canada’s? And
• Where do online intermediaries believe their Citigroup Investment Group are GDS’s capable of unbundling?
future growth is coming from? Will they invest • Sabre is now using XML standards to entice
in online marketing to drive traffic? Or attempt 12.00 – 1.10 Roundtable Lunch Break low-cost carriers like Air Tran. Will we see a full-
to steal market share from one another? scale adoption of XML standards across the
1.10 – 1.45: Keynote Presentation: GDS’s? And if so, what impact will this have on
• How are online intermediaries driving bookings
distribution costs?
through search? What Web 2.0 tools are What’s behind the staying • After traditionally avoiding a GDS, why has
proving particularly successful?
• Travelocity and InterContinental Hotels Group
Power of Traditional Tour JetBlue now reversed its decision? Does this
have implemented direct connectivity across Operators and Travel agents signal a change in the distribution landscape?
• Many third party vendors can equal the
their systems. How do XML interfaces between in Leisure Travel richness of GDS content – but how much
suppliers and third parties benefit both supplier
and customer? • After a decade of foretelling the end of the of the GDS role is being fully eroded by the
travel agent, why are they still here? competition?
• Farecast was recently sold for $75 million and
Kayak is now the fifth biggest travel site in • How have the traditional tour operators and • How are the GNE’s faring? Could GNE
the world. With so many consolidations and leisure, unmanaged business travel agents, partnerships – and their willingness to work
acquisitions in this space, what is predicted for adapted, evolved and remain a $44 billion together – be their greatest strength?
the next phase of evolution? business? David Gross, SVP Global Airline Distribution,
• Do OTA’s deliver the same value proposition as • What technology are they utilizing in order Sabre Travel Network
meta-search sites? Can they co-exist and form to thrive? Owen Wild, Director of Marketing, North
a symbiotic relationship? • Understand the importance of addressing America, Amadeus North America
• How can suppliers develop meaningful, one-to-one customer needs and get advice on Tore Wick, VP Business Development, Pegasus
achieving this whilst keeping costs down Solutions
mutually beneficial relationships with OTA’s?
Brian Robb, SVP Corporate Development, If you are a supplier and would like speak on
• How can you measure the success of your third this session email helen@eyefortravel.com
party distribution strategy? Should you invest The Mark Travel Corporation
more resources into third party channels in a 1.45 – 2.20: Presentation: 5.20 – 7.30 Cocktail Party
bid to fight back against economic slowdown?
Noreen Henry, VP Hotels and Packaging, Meta-search and the
Travelocity “Exceptional
Tammy Peter, VP Global Distribution Strategy,
Consumer: How and When quality of speakers and
Wyndham Hotel Group Do Customers use Meta- presentations, and the entire
Craig Cooley, VP Business Development, Allotz search Engines? experience was invaluable. I’m
William Koo, Chief Marketing Strategist, looking forward to sharing many
Castle Hotels and Resorts • In-depth explanation of how consumers behave great ideas with my company”
on Meta Search engines: Are they used for Sara Atwell, Director of Sales,
Matthew Crummack, SVP Lodging, Expedia flight shopping only – or can Meta Search be Tropicana Las Vegas
usefully deployed to sell other travel products
10.50 – 11.20: Networking Coffee Break
and services?
for More Information Call James Brown on +44 (0) 207 375 7551 - UK
4. DAY 2: find Out how to Optimize your Website and Capture Online Customers
October 2nd: 9.00am – 5.00pm 11.30 – 1.00: session 5: • hat impact will user-generated content have
W
on your search engine rankings and click-
9.00 – 9.30: Keynote Presentation: Maintain the Profitability through rates?
What Digital Trends Will of your Online advertising • How can you use social media to retain and
acquire customers?
impact your business Campaigns - Even when • Hear from companies have succeed in building
in 2008? Costs are Rising an online community to build loyalty
• Where should you be focusing your advertising • What are the legal implications of consumer-
• Your Consumers are online 24/7 “Always On” –
spend online to drive maximum traffic? Local generated media content for hospitality
How do you support this?
search, long-tail queries, meta-search: Which organizations? What liability do you have?
• Align your offline and online message so you channels deliver the best Return Kristen Celko, VP Marketing, STA Travel
are always ready online, for what is on Investment? Nathan Clapton, Senior Director, Brand
happening offline
• How can you generate incremental traffic Distribution, TripAdvisor
• Should you make video a centerpiece of through a comprehensive search strategy? Neil Salerno, CHME, CHA, Consultant &
your online strategy? And how do you make Author, Hotel Marketing Coach
your video message consistent when selling • Ensuring your online adverts are relevant:
multiple products? Why is contextual advertising so valuable? 3.20 – 3.50: Networking Coffee Break
• How can you balance search and social • According to Forrester Research, 40% of
media? people search for something they see in a 3.50 – 5.00: session 7:
television or print advert. So how do you close
Ted Souder, Midwest Director of Sales, Google the loop between offline marketing and search How to Enhance your Website
to deliver the maximum revenue?
9.30 – 11.00: session 4: Content to increase Traffic
• How will continued cost inflation impact on
update your Online strategy the future of pay-per-click as an effective
and improve Conversion Rates
advertising model for travel? And how can you • How can you optimize your website to drive
to Keep ahead of Changes in create realistic ROI metrics for your pay-per- traffic, highlight your unique selling points and
Customer behavior click campaigns? appeal to specific customer segments?
• What are the latest changes in online search • Where do blogs, RSS, online videos and social • According to Forrester, 43% of surfers believe
behavior – and how are they affecting paid networking fit into your online advertising shopping on travel websites has become
search? campaigns? Do they actually deliver a ROI – less useful. Does your website match up to
or can you manage without them? the expectations of increasingly demanding
• Which Web 2.0 features do travel customers
• The best keywords in the right quantity: customers?
find most useful?
What’s best practice – and how can you • What are the secrets of reducing abandon
• Which Web 2.0 tools are really driving
take advantage? rates during the research phase – and how
bookings for suppliers and online
Keith Melnick, EVP Corporate Development, much user-generated content, mapping and
intermediaries?
Kayak video does it take to capture your customer
• What types of content do online travelers along the purchasing path?
Charlie Coniglio, VP eCommerce and Global
prefer – and which sources are perceived as Distribution, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group • How can you enhance website design, site
being most trustworthy? performance and loading times to significantly
Anil Aggarwal, CEO, Milestone Internet
• To what extent does user-generated content Marketing (panel) improve conversion rates?
influence travel purchasing decisions? “Caribbean Jim” Hobbs, President/Founder, • Larger imagery, easier navigation and
• How effective is personalization, customization CheapCaribbean.com additional search options: To what extent do
and relevant content as conversion and they improve the user journey – and produce
retention tools – and how can you measure
1.00 – 2.00: Roundtable Lunch Break bottom line paybacks?
your results? • TripAdvisor is a prime example of deploying
2.00 – 3.20: session 6:
• How are social networks and web 2.0 tools user-generated content to dominate search
changing customer expectations of online using social Media to engine rankings. How can you integrate UGC
travel – and how should you respond? into your own SEO strategy – and boost
• Which travel companies truly satisfy the needs
Enhance your Distribution your visibility?
and preferences of today’s customers? strategy Bob Barnes, CEO, Zonder
• Podcasting News reports that the average • Does investing in a social media strategy really More speakers for this session to be
deliver return on investment? Or is it more announced soon – please check the
American viewer watches at least two videos
website for updates
online every day. How can you best capitalize about creating brand advocacy?
on this? • How do you identify social media sites that
Amy Scarth, Head of Research, EyeforTravel your customers use frequently and rely on
Interactive Participation
to make purchasing decisions? And more This conference has been structured to encourage active
Ken Penny, Sr. Director, e-Commerce and
importantly – how do you work with them? participation. Not only will you hear stimulating, thought
Distribution Planning, Continental Airlines
• How do you measure the impact of your social provoking presentations, you’ll have the opportunity to
Diane Clarkson, Travel Analyst, have our say & get your questions answered. What’s more
media efforts?
JupiterResearch there will be ample time to meet, network & do business
• How should you promote and protect your
with your fellow senior-level executives; at the event,
11.00 – 11.30: Networking Coffee Break brand in the social media space? during the breaks and at our networking drinks party.
Book Before July 18 for Early-Bird Discounts
6. Travel Distribution Summit N. America 2008 Register before
18 July to
1-2 October, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas SAvE $300
erence pass! on your conf
MAKE THE ESSENTIAL CONTACTS YOU NEED TO
REDUCE YOUR DISTRIBUTION COSTS AND MAXIMIZE SALES
Ample opportunities to network with fellow attendees
and meet potential partners…
Travel Distribution is based on COCKTAIL EVENING
partnerships and at this – 1st October – We know
event distribution deals are “This is a must-attend that you want to meet
initiated, refreshed and most conference for professionals wanting your fellow delegates
to increase exposure to the cutting and speakers in a social
importantly sealed. Our
edge of tomorrow” environment at the end
delegates are some of the
Adrian Sugars, Director Revenue
most senior decision-makers of an information-packed
Management, Hilton Hotels
in the travel industry and with Corporation first day - which is why
800+ people expected at our 2008 our networking receptions
Summit the networking possibilities are always such a great
are endless. We know how important your success! Being held in the exhibition
time is, which is why we have specifically designed this event to allow hall, this informal environment is the perfect opportunity for
you to meet your fellow delegates and start talking. These include: you to see the products on offer, meet your fellow delegates
and discuss the issues that have been raised.
ONLINE CONTACT CENTER – Organize
meetings in advance and touch base with those COFFEE AND LUNCH BREAKS – The backbone
crucial contacts through our online networking of your networking; you’ll be able to cement relationships
center. This online system will be up and running and discuss future business
before the event so you can make initial contact opportunities during two
and after the event to catch-up with the people lunch breaks and four
you missed. By limiting the number of emails coffee breaks. We “This is the most valuable
we’ll ensure that you only hear from potential promise you’ll conference I attended this year.
partners and avoid spam. have ample It always covers very relevant
time to network issues – very informative”
PRE-REGISTRATION PARTY – 30th September – Once arriving at with your fellow Tracy Gaudette, Director of Reservation
Caesars Palace, come and meet your fellow delegates in the Hotel bar. Collect attendees across Services, Coast Hotels and
your badge and avoid the morning rush. It’s an ideal place to meet old friends Resorts
the two days.
and start your networking before heading out into Las Vegas.
EXPERT SPEAKERS INCLUDE
Brian Robb, SVP Corporate Dr. Natasa Christodoulidou, Cormac Wheelan, CEO, Kim Nugent, Corporate Director Stowe Shoemaker, Associate Charlie Sultan, MD Sales,
Development, The Mark Travel Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Datalex of Revenue Management, Dean of Research, University of Planning & Analysis,
Corporation Marketing, California State Dave Jones, Director, Web Benchmark Hospitality Houston American Airlines
University, Dominguez Hills
Frank Petito, SVP Corporate Business, WestJet Rob Bunker, Director, Revenue Susan Cary, Director of Revenue Dr. Bill Brunger, Internal
Development, Orbitz Worldwide Elizabeth Churchill, VP Sales David Gross, SVP Global Airline Management Consulting Management, AlaskaAir Consultant, Continental
Gregg Schulze, VP Air, The & Marketing, Aqua Hotels & Distribution, Sabre Airlines
& Analysis, Harrah’s Mark Mahaney, Director of
Resorts
Americas, Expedia Gregg Chapman, Senior Entertainment Internet Research, Citigroup Neil Salerno, CHME, CHA,
Barry Biffle, SVP & CMO, Spirit Consultant & Author, Hotel
Noreen Henry, VP Hotels & Manager Revenue & Profit Jim Young, VP Sales, Investment Group
Airlines Marketing Coach
Packaging, Travelocity Management, Walt Disney Parks Distribution & Marketing,
Glen Harvell, VP & General Melissa Skluzacek, Director of
Tammy Peter, VP Global & Resorts Frontier Airlines Keith Melnick, EVP Corporate
Manager, Travelocity On Revenue Management,
Distribution Strategy, Wyndham Gregory Saks, Director, Development, Kayak
Location John Lambe, CTO, OpenJaw Midwest Airlines
Hotel Group Compete Technologies & Vice-Chairman Charlie Coniglio, VP
Greg Webb, Chief Marketing Owen Wild, Director of
William Koo, Chief Marketing Jake Fuller, Managing Director, of the OpenTravel Board of eCommerce & Global
Officer, Sabre Travel Network & Marketing, North America, Distribution, Dollar Thrifty
Strategist, Castle Hotels & Sabre Airline Solutions Thomas Weisel Partners Directors Amadeus North America Automotive Group
Resorts Jay Hubbs, Director of Revenue
Amy Scarth, Head of Research, John McEwan, Director of Patrick Murphy, Chairman,
Ben Druce, Director of Revenue Management, Expedia Partner “Caribbean Jim” Hobbs,
EyeforTravel Revenue Strategy, Vail Resorts Aviation Group, Performance
& Pricing, WestJet Services Group President/Founder,
Chinmai Sharma, VP Revenue Robert Buckman, Director of Consultants International CheapCaribbean.com
Dr. Peter Belobaba, Principal Management, Wyndham Hotels Jim Rozell, Senior Director Airline Distribution Strategies, (former Executive Chairman
Research Scientist, MIT Revenue Optimization, Carlson Kristen Celko, VP Marketing,
& Resorts Amadeus North America of RyanAir)
International Center for Air Hotels Group STA Travel
Chris Amenechi, Senior Director Rod Cuthbert, CEO, Viator Rick Zeni, VP Revenue
Transportation Julie Szudarek, VP of Revenue Nathan Clapton, Senior
International eCommerce Management, JetBlue Airways
Brett Cochran, Director of & Distribution Planning, Management, The Americas, Rom Hendler, VP Strategic Director, Brand Distribution,
Business Development, JetBlue Continental Airlines Orbitz Worldwide Marketing, The Venetian Resort Ted Souder, Midwest Director TripAdvisor
Airways Kate Varini, Senior Lecturer, Hotel Casino of Sales, Google Bob Barnes, CEO, Zonder
Chris Anderson, Assistant
Diane Clarkson, Travel Analyst, Professor, Cornell University, Oxford Brookes University & Steve Pinchuk, Corporate VP Warren Lieberman, President, Sandy Gantt, Managing Director
Jupiter Research School of Hotel Administration Founder, betterrevenue.com Revenue Management, SAS Veritec Solutions E-Commerce, United Airlines
Book now at: www.eyefortravel.com/tdsusa