General Sessions
The conference will feature keynote speakers focused on winners -- businesses that never surrendered their growth plans, technology that never stopped innovating, and strategists who believed in new possibilities.
Sunday, May 16, 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
The Road Ahead—The Participation Revolution
Andrew Zolli
Curator, Pop!Tech
Fellow, National Geographic
Over the next few decades, the world will witness several fundamental transformations, including major shifts in global demographics, healthcare, the environment, and communications. Andrew will capture the essence of these trends in plain English and discuss the critical implications for business, government, and society. Andrew will zero in on a key trend with particular relevance to the business travel industry - The Participation Revolution - where individuals use the tools of digital participation to reinvent the way they relate to corporations, customers, and each other. His insights will highlight the underlying dynamics of these changes and their implications for the future of corporate services.
Recent Article by Andrew Zolli in Newsweek: "The Future Won't Be Free"
Industry White Paper
Central Billing Reinvigorated
A challenging economy has applied increased discipline to the practice of travel management. As demand for tighter controls and better data ripples through the ranks of travel management stakeholders, central bill payment programs emerge as an integral part of the solution. This white paper, brought to you by AirPlus International, offers the latest research on central bill payment solutions and shows how this payment model can impact your company’s bottom line.
Compliments of:
Monday, May 17, 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Planning Beyond the Horizon
Paul Laudicina
Managing Officer and Chairman of the Board
A.T. Kearney, Inc.
The 2009 ranking of the World's Best Companies, compiled by A.T. Kearney for BusinessWeek, demonstrates those who are best positioned to seize new opportunities are those who have a commitment to innovation, strong leadership, and a clear vision for the future. In his keynote presentation, Paul Laudicina - Managing Officer and Chairman of the Board of A.T. Kearney, Inc. – will reveal examples of the rigorous strategic planning initiatives used by these companies to see beyond the horizon and distinguish themselves among the World’s Best Companies. This unparalleled opportunity provides conference attendees direct access to Mr. Laudicina’s leadership insights, which are based on years of personal interactions with CEOs and thought leaders focused on assessing global strategic opportunities and risk management.
Compliments of:
Industry Perspective
Suzanne Neufang
Chief Marketing Officer, GetThere
Vice President, Corporate Segment Strategy and Solutions, Sabre Travel Network
As CMO of GetThere, Suzanne Neufang oversees the global product plan, product marketing, new business development, channel sales and online user experience for the world's leading travel and collaboration management solution. She is also responsible for Sabre Travel Network’s global GDS strategy in the corporate segment. Ms. Neufang has managed product marketing, online strategy and marketing communications in the travel and telecommunications industries for more than 15 years.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Neufang was in charge of Travelocity Business’ product development and marketing, and also led product marketing and analysis for Travelocity’s leisure vacation packaging and cruise products. Before that, she led global online strategy, marketing, user experience, and branding for GTE/Verizon in a corporate capacity for nearly a decade.
Ms. Neufang holds a masters degree in communications from the University of Hawaii, and a bachelor’s degree from Minot State University (North Dakota).
On Behalf of:
Monday, May 17, 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Emerging Technologies in Business Travel - The Future User Experience for Business Travelers
Mobility applications, collaborative technologies, and a variety of other emerging technologies are changing the user experience within business travel and corporate meetings. Many of these technologies are already deployed in the leisure space. Are they viable in the business travel industry? What challenges, opportunities, and value will these technologies bring to a managed corporate travel program? Our panel of technology experts and enthusiasts will provide a glimpse into the future and describe the implications of shifting more and more accountability from travel management to the end user through a discussion of the following:
- Predictive technologies that anticipate flight delays, forecast pricing, etc.
- Mobile location-based services that strengthen duty of care support and offer point of purchase opportunities for travelers
- Next generation collaborative technologies, i.e., videoconferencing through your mobile device
- Social networking tools and their application to a corporate travel program
Moderated by:
Susan Steinbrink, Senior Travel Analyst, PhoCusWright
Panelists: 
Robert Scoble, Blogger, Technical Evangelist and Author 
Mark Spoonauer, Editor in Chief, Laptop Magazine
Darin Yug, Partner & Co-leader, Transportation and Travel Services, Diamond Management & Technology Consultants
Industry Perspective
On Behalf of:
Tuesday, May 18, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Innovation through Improv
By design, each of the conference’s keynote sessions is focused on The Future, and the approaches needed to thrive in a world where the rules have been redefined. Whether it is Andrew Zolli describing global trends, Paul Laudicina revealing business strategies that distinguish the world’s best companies, or a panel of experts clarifying the impact of emerging technologies, the presenters share the insights and strategies you need to win. This keynote session provides yet another indispensable addition to your toolkit – using improv to spark innovation.
Second City, an award-winning Chicago institution, has created a one-of-a-kind, interactive learning experience for ACTE attendees to learn, first-hand, how to apply relevant principles of improvisation. After all, business is one big act of improvisation requiring the foresight and agility to leverage long-term relationships and to adjust to change in real-time. Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and even entertained during this creative, thought-provoking session, designed to help you adapt and respond to inevitable unknowns.
Facilitated by: Second City Communications
Industry Perspective
On Behalf of:
Tuesday, May 18, 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Industry Experts Take on Controversial Ancillary Fees
Airlines are continuing to fragment and unbundle services associated with total trip costs. The strategy, which increases margins and generates million dollars of revenue in a down economy, doesn’t appear to have any negative impact on supplier market share. But how does this approach affect the management of business travel? In a recent ACTE survey, 80% of corporate travel managers admitted they are tracking total cost of trip expenditures only “somewhat well” or “not well.” Attendees from around the world will be given a voice during this unique session that combines audience participation and real-time analysis from industry experts who have a vested role in this controversial topic.
- How are ‘merchandising’ fees affecting managed travel programs in the short- and long-term?
- What is the state of the industry regarding coping mechanisms and pending industry solutions?
- Are existing performance metrics (i.e., average ticket price (ATP)) misaligned? And if so, what new metrics should travel managers employ?
Moderated by:
Jim Davidson, President & CEO, Farelogix
Panelists:
Prashanth Kuchibhotla, Director, Advisory Services EMEA, American Express Business Travel
Kelly Hart, Managing Director of Global Accounts, Continental Airlines- Cindy Heston, Manager Strategic Sourcing-Travel, WellPoint, Inc
