HEDNA, in concert with its EMEA chapter, celebrates a decade of accomplishments and offers projections across all sectors of the hotel industry at the HEDNA 2002 Global Meeting.

A visionary in the complex travel arena, HEDNA keynote presenter Philip Wolf, President and CEO of PhoCusWright, Inc., provides analysis and insight into the booming online travel market. As the founder of PhoCusWright, Wolf and his company help businesses navigate today's economy via strategic consultation and ardent advocacy of online interactive travel, tourism and hospitality services.
 

Rach is an internationally recognized tourism industry leader. In addition to her HEDNA role, she serves on the boards of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, the New York Convention & Visitors bureau and is a member of the New York City Hospitality Council. 

Prior to NYU, Rach held prestigious positions in tourism administration at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn., George Washington University in Washington, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonee, Wis.

In addition to the diverse network of the HEDNA Global Meeting participants, event sponsors and Tech Showcase participants include some of the industry's leading travel providers such as: Galileo International; WizCom International, Ltd.; Newtrade Technologies Inc.; Pegasus Solutions, Inc.; Worldspan; TravelCLICK; Utell; MICROS Systems, Inc.; Hospitality Technology Consulting; SITE59

Additional organizations represented at the Tech Showcase include: hubX; IATA; Innovata; Lanyon; Multimap.com; NORTHSTAR Travel Media, LLC; Sabre; SynXis; Travel Information Management Services, Inc.; WorldRes

The following is the agenda of engaging presentations that takes place during HEDNA's 2002 Global Meeting on the 15 May Information & Seminar Day:

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m Opening General Session: A Decade of Accomplishments  HEDNA President Roland Tanner of Utell-Pegasus Solutions, Inc., along with Chapter representatives, provides an overview of and updates on HEDNA, and EMEA, ASPAC and Latin America chapters.

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Executive Forum: Technology Trends - Achievements, Casualties and Predictions  Moderator: Lalia Rach, New York University Participants: Michael Ball, SRS-Worldhotels; Geoffrey Gelardi, The Lanesborough; Nick Price, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; and Jim Young, Six Continents Hotels The ever-popular Executive Forum explores the complexities of such issues as brand loyalty versus channel loyalty, ownership and control of inventory, and other narrowly defined distribution issues.

1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Two Concurrent Sessions) Emerging Technologies Session: Single Image Inventory - Is Seeing Believing?  Moderator: Alyson Dombey, Partners in Marketing Participants: Brian Barth, SideStep; Brett Hartman, Carlson Hospitality; Michael Murray, hubX; and Connie Rheams, Trust International This session explores the possibilities surrounding Single Image Inventory, ADS, WAP and other future focused technology adaptations.

Strategic Planning Session: Direct Connect Isn't Enough  Moderator: Anne Sommer, Accor Economy Lodging Participants: Henry Harteveldt, Forrester Research; Joan Lowell, Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Les Ottolenghi, AgentWare; and Chris Vukelich, British Airways Henry Harteveldt of Forrester Research presents his findings on today's model of distribution. In his research, Mr. Harteveldt states that "while suppliers hope to cut costs with direct connect, to boost cross-selling and win travel agency allegiance, suppliers must adopt Integrated Direct Connect." In concert with the panel participants, Mr. Harteveldt provides his insights into this recommended technology model.

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Industry Trends Session: Proactively Responding to a Rapidly Changing Environment - The Good, The Bad and the Unknown Moderator: Lalia Rach, New York University Participants: Rita Emmer, VIP International; Richard Lewis, WorldRes; Nick Pattie, KPMG; and Kostas Trivizas, Aeolus Hospitality This session provides a dynamic exchange of ideas and projections on travel trends, electronic booking patterns, booking statistics, shortened lead time, and mergers and acquisitions.

4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Keynote Presentation: Using Technology to Market Travel - If You Build It They Will Come  Speaker: Philip Wolf, President and CEO, PhoCusWright, Inc. Mr. Wolf offers visionary insights into online interactive travel, tourism and hospitality services in this keynote presentation.

The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) is a not-for-profit trade association whose worldwide membership includes executives and managers from over 200 of the most influential companies in the hotel distribution industry. Founded in 1991, all of HEDNA's activities are intended to stimulate the booking of hotel rooms through the use of GDS, the Internet and other electronic means.

HEDNA brings all segments of the hotel industry together to evolve systems and services into electronic distribution that is easy and efficient.