In countless exclusive interviews this month, we’ve heard plenty of insights. Better our top quotes in the comments box and you stand to win a free conference pass

1. Actually I took a lot of abuse when I was talking at conferences and said guys this [social media] isn’t really our bag. You’d swear I’d taken their firstborn

Colin Lewis, BMI Regional’s director of marketing on why when it comes to marketing social media isn’t his first priority

2. Call me a sceptic but in the ten years I’ve been in this business I’ve seen instability - with the announcement, for example, of an update to a core algorithm that affects organic rankings - created too often at certain key times of year

In an article looking at the importance of content Lee Stuart, Director of Insight, Caliber talks straight

3. The skills of the marketer today need to be something like 30% free marketing, 30% IT, 30% analytics and 10% politician

In an exclusive interview Jérôme HIQUET, Vice President of Marketing, North America & Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Mexico tells about how the role of the marketer has changed

4. When you create a data lake, the big question is how do you go fishing in it?

Edmond Mesrobian, CTO at Expedia Inc reveals the company’s approach to big data and analytics

5. We are not quite at the Google versus everyone else stage in travel but it wouldn’t take too much else to get there

Hot Hotels Chairman Joe Haslam shares insights in his first guest post

6. Whether it is restaurant reservations or other services, competition is a fact of life and one can never be complacent

Glenn Fogel, Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning, talks about the company’s acquisition strategy

7. The big OTAs are increasingly are cutting into our niche by bidding against us on terms that we own such as the word ‘boutique’

Andrew Leung, Head of Online Marketing, Mr & Mrs Smith on how niche terms have become generic

8. With rising costs of digital advertising, a lot of OTAs have been forced to go back and question some of the marketing they haven’t done over the past few years

Alex Gisbert, Chief Marketing Officer, Low Cost Travel Group shares his marketing challenges

9. We’re seeing a substantial amount of traffic coming from Facebook

David Llewellyn, Head of Mobile Marketing, Skyscanner on why social cannot be ignored

10. The next change that has snuck up on us like a reaper in the night is metasearch

Changes are afoot in the hotel space and Edward Perry, Senior Director at Worldhotels says metasearch is one of them

We want to hear from you too. Post your funny, controversial or trend spotting quote in the comments box below and the best one wins a free conference pass to an EyeforTravel event