Top Execs to Share Experience at Summit in October

. October 14, 2008

AUGUST 24, 2006. Top executives representing the leading travel suppliers and distributors will share their wealth of experience, knowledge and expert predictions at the Travel Distribution Summit North America 2006. This year's event sees a substantial growth from last year, and features a long list of senior-level speakers, two executive conferences, three breakout tracks and an array of free workshops and educational seminars.

If you want to sharpen your competitive edge in this rapidly changing and competitive market then this is the event for you. You'll have the unique opportunity to meet, talk and do business with America's leading travel professionals. With over 800 senior level attendees expected this year, this event is an essential date for your calendar.

Hear from Marriott, Hilton, Carlson Hotels, American Airlines, Starwood, Royal Caribbean, Carlson Wagonlit, Travelocity, Continental, Priceline, Air Canada, SideStep and many more. Through a range of keynote presentations, case-studies and panel debates they will all be confronting hot topics in the areas of distribution, technology, sales and marketing, revenue management, pricing, CRM and e-commerce.

A highly researched agenda which focuses on the latest distribution and marketing trends. Highlights include:

--5 Keynote sessions, where speakers, who are top of their field, 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? No conference on travel distribution would be complete without hearing from the major search engines. At this event 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. EyeforTravel Research has shown that the way that Business Travel is distributed is currently at the top of the agenda for travel industry professionals.

-- Speakers include the GM & COO from Orbitz for Business, the Chief Executive from Hogg Robinson and the COO from Carlson Wagonlit. Expert financial analysis of the Travel Industry: In this session, led by moderator by Gary Sain, CMO, YPBR, financial analysts will discuss how economics and demographics affect your business and which distribution models are set for future growth.

-- Senior level speakers from the world's most profitable travel companies

Speakers include:

Tracey Weber, COO, Travelocity

Shafiq Khan, SVP e-Commerce, Marriott

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

Lisa Bauer, SVP, North American Sales, Royal Caribbean

Steve Pinetti, SVP Sales and Marketing, Kimpton Group

Christine Shimasaki, EVP of Sales & Marketing, San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau

Dean Sivley, COO & General Manager, Orbitz for Business