Conference Agenda
For a more detailed agenda please click here
Summit chairs:
Terry Jones, Principal, Essential Ideas
Kathy Misunas, Principal, Essential Ideas
Chicke Fitzgerald, CEO, Solutionz Group
Day 1: Monday October 3 - Morning Keynotes
9:00 Opening Keynote & Panel Debate:
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| This morning's session brings together the leading suppliers and intermediaries to debate and address the future of travel distribution. What does increased consolidation from the online intermediaries mean for US travel suppliers? How can they make sure they benefit from these online powerhouses without loosing brand and distribution control? And how will the intermediaries react to new technology such as travel search and new entrant GDSs? |
| Discover how hotel rooms, flights and hire cars will be bought in the future - what are the big players doing today in order to maintain their market share? |
Moderator: Chicke Fitzgerald, CEO, Solutionz Group Speakers Include: Graham W. Atkinson,
SVP, Worldwide Sales & Alliances, United Airlines Joint presentation: Aidan Brogan, SVP of Global Sales, Datalex and Maurice Coleman, Head of Commercial Strategy, Aer Lingus |
| 10:45 - 11:15 - Morning Networking Coffee Break |
11:15
Keynote & Panel Debate: Search distributor - Integrated travel company - Online agency - who has the best business model for future growth? |
| Intermediaries are here to stay but with 3 distinct business types developing which one is set for long term success and profitability? |
Moderator: Kathy Misunas, Principal, Essential Ideas Speakers Include: Yen Lee, GM of Travel,
Yahoo! Jim Donnelly, VP Marketing, IgoUgo |
| 1:00pm - 2:00pm - Networking Lunch |
DAY 1 - Afternoon Tracks
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| 5:30pm - 7:00pm Networking Drinks Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Day 2: Tuesday October 4 - Morning Keynotes
8:30 Session 1 - Presentations & Panel Debate
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| Technology developments have allowed travel companies to truly connect to each other with greater ease and at reduced costs. But are these developments rendering the traditional off-the-shelf packages redundant or merely providing additional choice to the traveler? In this session find out what steps the online intermediaries are taking towards a flexible packaging model - and what the traditional tour operators are doing to counter this threat to protect their market share. |
Moderator:Terry Jones, Principal, Essential Ideas Speakers Include: Brian Robb, Chief
of Staff, The Mark Travel Corporation |
| 10:00 - 10:30 Morning Networking Coffee Break |
10:30am
Session 2 - Presentations & Panel Debate The great annual GDS debate - what is the future of the GDS? |
| It's an annual debate at all our events and it's always contentious! The death of the GDS has been foretold for years ….. but they are still here and they are thriving. In the future landscape what will they be doing, how and why? |
Moderator:Terry Jones, Principal, Essential Ideas Speakers Include: John Turato, VP of Technology, Cendant Car Rental Group Scott Brandt, MD, Sales Strategy and Distribution, United Airlines
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12:00 Session 3 - Case Studies The future of pricing in travel |
Moderator: Kathy Misunas, Principal, Essential Ideas
Assess Revenue Management & Net Rate Distribution |
Steve Pinchuk, VP Revenue Managment, Harrah's Entertainment |
| Can low-cost airlines still differentiate on price in an increasingly commoditised and price led market? |
| Lowell G Miller, Director, IT Business Solutions, Frontier Airlines |
| 1:00pm - 2:00pm Networking Lunch |
2:00pm - Closing Analysis
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| You've heard the forecasts, now hear what independent analysts have to say. With no industry allegiance the insight from these experts is not only fascinating, it could be strategy changing. |
Moderator: Chicke Fitzgerald, CEO, Solutionz Group Speakers Include: Jake Fuller, Analyst,
Thomas Weisel Partners Paul Keung, Executive
Director, CIBC World Markets |
| 3:00 - 3:30pm Afternoon Networking Coffee Break |
