Uncovering a Wealth of Opportunity: The Quest for Efficiency

Registration and Networking - Tea & Coffee

Hotel-escorted site visit.

Opening Remarks

Event Moderator:
Bob Papworth, Executive Editor, Buying Business Travel

Self-Booking Tools for the Russian Market

This session will survey the online tools available in the Russian market for their coverage of standard business travel requirements and inclusion of content from Russian-based suppliers.  Discussions will include:

• Access to International and Domestic air carrier inventory
• Hotel booking functionality for chain and independent properties
• Policy Integration and Approval Processing

Presenters:
Alla Ruchkina, head of Corporate Dept, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Corporate Client - TBC
Vadim Zelenski, General Director, Zelenski Corporate Travel Solutions
Corporate Client - TBC

Networking Break - Tea/Coffee

Getting to the Head of the Visa Line

Visa processing is an essential service for a multi-national corporate travel department.  Business travel practitioners  will examine the challenges associated with obtaining visas for both inbound and outbound business travel and discuss ways to reduce time and streamline the process.  This session will:

• Map the visa process
• Identify bottlenecks
• Highlight emerging solutions to improve efficient visa processing

Presenters:
Valery Rogatch, Director General, Unifest
Andrey Voronin, Director, ATH
Corporate Client - TBC

Networking Lunch

Is It Time for A Change in the Client Service Model?

With improved communication services and business travel technology, the cost/benefit ratio of dedicated travel management staff on site has changed.  While there are clear service benefits associated with an onsite travel implant office, we will discuss whether it makes more financial sense to streamline servicing through dedicated offsite travel teams.

• This session will compare the benefits between implants and offsite servicing for the corporation/traveller/travel programme as well as the cost comparisons between each model.

Presenters:
Olga Khorasanova, Facility & Services Lead Russia, Accenture
Irina Kuznetsova, Administrative Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Phillip Lookianenko, Managing Director, HRG

Networking Break - Tea/Coffee

Future Trends – a Panel Interview

Will Russia follow the trends being set around the rest of the world? An interactive audience and panel session to discuss:

• The Global trend towards unbundled airline service fees (extra charges for airport check in; checked bags; on-board catering; seats etc). Whilst airline services remain commissionable in Russia, we will discuss why companies operating large international programmes should expect additional charges through expenses for travellers taking multi sector trips outside Russia.
• Whether commissions may be eroded in Russia and whether Global airline pricing methodologies be adopted in the near future.
• Corporate credit and lodge cards offer advantages to businesses and travellers through consolidated Management data for improved rate negotiations yet card adoption in general remains relatively low in Russia. We will discuss the barriers and opportunities available.
• Hotel corporate negotiated rates – are they honoured and worth contracting in Russia? In contrast to airline pricing, hotels around the world are beginning to include more services in their bundled pricing– what trends and best practice initiatives can we expect to see adopted in corporate hotel programmes in Russia?

Closing Remarks