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.  

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.  

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 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 EVP of North America for Carlson Wagonlit 

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.  

How to register: 

Online: https://secure.firstconf.com/travel/tdsusa2006/secure.asp 

Email:  Helen Raff at [email protected]

Telephone: +1 773 929 4032