Barcelona Global Education Conference

Monday, 23 October: 12.15 – 13.30

Technology & Data Management
M102 De-mystifying End-to-End Solutions
Five years ago, an “off the shelf” technology solution to manage the basic functions of travel management—from booking, planning, expense reimbursement, budget management and rebilling did not exist   Today, numerous suppliers offer “end-to-end solutions” but how many deliver on the marketing promises?   Corporate buyers who have wrestled with integration address the:

• Role of the four key ‘links’ within the travel value chain—from customer, TMC, ERP system and SBT
• Optimal configuration of partners, systems and platforms
• Business case for integration in the first place

Relationship Management
M103 Road Warriors Speak Out 
Managed travel programmes typically focus on cost savings for the company.  But is your programme supporting or hindering your travellers?  How can you improve your offerings to gain buy-in from travellers and balance their needs with those of the company?  Come and hear what the road warriors—your most frequent travellers and best customers—have to say about:

• Compliance
• Elements of an ideal programme
• Creating successful two-way communication

Category Spend Management
NEW! M104 Credit Card Merchant Fees - The Next Frontier in Distribution Cost Cutting
Considerable attention has been given to the debate over rising GDS fees and the role of new entrants.  The fact that credit card merchant fees are actually a higher cost and rising just as fast as GDS fees is coming into the foreground.  Gain a better understanding of this “hidden” supply chain cost, including:

• Steps the airlines and other suppliers are undertaking to control this expense
• Implications for buyers and card companies

Financial Management
M105 Best Practices in Contract Management
Given an uncertain economy and the increased regulatory scrutiny brought about by SOX and IFRS legislation, businesses are under ever-increasing pressures to ensure fiscal accountability.   Sound contract management improves financial and operational productivity and risk mitigation.   Examine best practices for:

• Effective management of the entire contract lifecycle—from creation, executive and analysis
• How to conduct an internal audit before investing in contract automation solutions
• Standardised language, metrics and measurements 

Monday, 23 October: 16.45 – 18.00

Technology & Data Management
NEW! M202 End-to-End Solutions: Lessons from the Public Sector
Many practices have emerged in government travel that can be usefully applied to the corporate space.  Notably, how federal governments in the U.S. and Canada uniquely integrated business processes—from pre-trip budgeting and authorisation, online booking, issuance of travel documents, expense reporting, reimbursement, reconciliation, auditing and supplier management—to achieve a sophisticated but streamlined, effective end-to-end technology solution.  Practitioners discuss:

• Lessons learned
• Results, including significant reductions in costs
• Public vs. private travel processes

Relationship Management
NEW! M203 Roundtable: Reaching Client Expectations and The Future of TMCs
When commission caps, direct connects and online booking tools came into play, the disintermediation of the TMC was hailed as the Next Big Thing…but most TMCs successfully made the transition from intermediary to direct service provider, and from commissions to fees.  Still, this core relationship is continually challenged by the “value add” question.   Just what does the customer really want?  Share insights with other stakeholders on how to develop: 

• Services that truly meet the business objectives of clients
• Appropriate metrics that define “success”
• Ways to implement a win-win relationship

Compliments of: Lufthansa
Category Spend Management
M204 Hotel Distribution in a Fragmented Market
Globally, only 18% of hotels are booked through an agency, 6% via GDS means, with most reservations booked direct to the hotel.  This creates enormous challenges in terms of pricing differences thru various channels, compliance, and data collection issues, including traveller tracking—just to name a few.   Add to this, the segment is undergoing its own cycle of consolidations and re-branding.  Analysts, revenue management experts and others share:

• An overall financial update on the hotel segment
• Frank commentary on rate loading, LRA and dynamic pricing practices
• Options and tools available to travel buyers

Financial Management
M205 Business Value Metrics: Travel Management As a Corporate Asset
Senior management emphasizes communication, creativity and focus on enterprise value when defining the role of the “strategic travel manager”.  Typical travel benchmarks like “cost per mile” are relatively meaningless in the Board Room; C-level executives want business value metrics.  This session describes how to:

• Develop appropriate value metrics, KPIs and dashboards that track success and measure the value of “cost avoidance”
• Build supplier relationships with clearly delineated roles and responsibilities
• Answer the question: why have a managed travel programme when you can book it on the web for free?

Global Management
M206 Asia Pacific
With business travel growth in Asia Pacific set to explode, can companies truly manage the tremendous challenge ahead?  Is it really possible to manage travel in a market comprised of over 20 countries, currencies, business practices and economic levels?  Two travel managers share their experiences in this exciting and expanding market addressing:

• Realities of managed travel in Asia Pacific
• Consolidating globally vs. managing regionally
• How to leverage best practices across markets where “best” is extremely subjective

Compliments of: Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Global Management
M207 Central & Eastern Europe
With the expansion of the European Union, typical business processes of the West have been copied, adapted and re-invented to fit the needs of the young economies of Central and Eastern Europe. The session concentrates on the particularities of burgeoning travel management practices highlighting:

• Introduction of new technologies such as SBTs and ERP systems
• Pricing trends

Tuesday, 24 October: 11.15 – 12.30

Technology & Data Management
NEW! T102 Business Intelligence:  Leveraging Your Payment and Travel Data
Globalisation, new legislation and macro economic trends have made Business Intelligence mission critical.  Many companies are using Business Intelligence to address back office needs such as efficiency, productivity, travel behaviour, global spend and potential markets.  This session addresses:

• Differences between "reporting" and "business intelligence" solutions
• Market consolidation and how you can plan and protect your business from it
• Metadata difficulties imposed by varying proprietary technologies and regional approaches

Compliments of: MasterCard International
Relationship Management
NEW! T103 The Travel Effect: Why Achieving Work-Life Balance is Good Business
Research shows that frequent air travel can result in a poor work-life balance and stress; stress in turn leads to reduced productivity and more importantly poor health. 25% of long term frequent fliers are estimated to be in the high risk stress category.  For individuals the consequences are obvious but the impact on corporations is only just starting to be understood.
This session looks at:

• Cause and effect of stress on frequent travellers
• Ways in which the consequences of travel programmes can be measured
• What solutions can put in place to reduce the impacts
• Why it is good for the bottom line

Category Spend Management
NEW! T104 IATA Reform:  Implications for Managed Travel
In response to the globalisation of the travel industry, IATA has implemented new rules and regulations that have a major positive impact on travel agency operations and airline contracting strategies.  At the same time, the EU is challenging a number of existing IATA practices that may have negative effects in terms of pricing.  Experts weigh in on the key issues involved, including:

• Point of origin contracting vs. point of sale contracts as the standard
• EU’s challenge to the IATA block exemption on interlining
• Bottom line impact for travel managers

Financial Management
NEW! T105 Total Cost of Ownership 
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a financial estimate to help enterprise managers assess direct and indirect costs related to the procurement of goods and services.  By applying TCO calculations to travel spend, procurement and travel managers can more strategically manage their programmes and obtain a clear vision on cost structures throughout the supply chain.   Experts illustrate:

• Principles of TCO as applied to travel
• How to prepare and present a TCO analysis
• How TCO provides a cost basis for determining the economic value of travel as a corporate investment and why this is important

Global Management
T107 Going Global
Driven by the appeal of low-cost manufacturing and knowledge centres in China and India, trade liberalisation, and technological and marketing innovations among suppliers, today’s push on businesses to globalise has triggered a related push for corporations to implement global travel management programmes.  While the benefits, in terms of potential cost savings and better MIS capabilities are often much touted, to what extent are travel management programmes really “going global”? Incorporating findings from an ACTE white paper on trends in this arena, this session offers a reality check on how to:

• Implement a procurement-oriented approach to global consolidation
• Develop structures and strategies that support your goals
• Determine what aspects are better left alone
• Assess supplier capabilities

Tuesday, 24 October: 15.45 – 17.00

ACTE Advisory Committee
NEW! T201 CAPRS – Community Air Passenger Reporting System
CAPRS (Community Air Passengers Reporting System) was launched by the European Commission to enable the regular publication of punctuality reports, statistics, and other service quality indicators concerning European Air Carriers.  In early 2006, the European Court of Justice ruled on the validity of the EC Regulation 261/2004 which dealt with passenger rights in the case of denied boarding, cancellation or long delay of flights.  This session addresses critical issues such as:

• Compensation for rights violations
• Contracting and measurement strategies based on these data
• Adjusting travel patterns in response to low performance statistics

Technology & Data Management
NEW! T202 Traveller Productivity In the Air – Will It Fly?  
In the next few months, technology will allow air passengers to use their mobile phones and PDAs during flights. They will be able to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages and e-mails.  However, surveys show that a majority of travel purchases are not in favor of lifting the ban on phone use.  This seminar examines all sides of the issues involved, including:

• Technology—how it works and why it is safe now and not previously
• How much it will cost
• Potential benefits – and disadvantages – for business travellers

Relationship Management
NEW! T203 Change Management – Everything Flows, Nothing Stands Still
In today’s environment of complex challenges and rapid change, the ability to adapt and remain flexible has become a leadership necessity, not an option.  Change management is the process of translating vision into action, overcoming resistance and developing and empowering people.  Whether you need to implement a new tool, service, policy or process, this session identifies:

• Key risks, exposures and mitigating controls that should be considered
• A process for sizing, evaluating, testing, and communicating the elements of a change management strategy

Category Spend Management
NEW! T204 Airline Alliance Deals 
When airline alliances first emerged, the benefits were hailed mostly by the marketing executives in terms of code sharing, expanded networks, the use of business class lounges and frequent flier points.  Today, with changing conditions and regulations, airlines are increasingly putting alliance contracts in the marketplace.  Early adopters who have successfully leveraged this development discuss:

• The essentials of true alliance contracting
• The added benefits to the corporation
• How alliance contract performance is measured

Financial Management
NEW! T205 Roundtable: Optimising Your Managed Hotel Programme Through Compliance (Corporate Buyers Only)
Travel buyers contended with some significant challenges this year when negotiating hotel rates—and there is little sign that the situation will abate in 2007 with average daily rates rising in most major markets worldwide.  While you may have little influence over market conditions, there is tremendous opportunity through your managed programme to offer greater savings while maintaining the service and convenience your company demands. This interactive, guided discussion based on an ACTE Benchmarking Study defines:

• Best-in-class compliance levels for large corporate hotel programmes
• Best practices for policy content, deployment, and enforcement techniques
• Appropriate KPIs to measure the ROI of your managed hotel programme

Compliments of: Lufthansa
Global Management
T207 Business Traveller Immigration: Are Your Travellers Compliant?
We are witnessing new tightening of many country borders, multiple changes in immigration law and heightened security at airports across the world. However, the infrastructure supporting cross border movement is still extremely immature with many corporate travel managers and their agency partners not able to determine if their travelers are receiving the right immigration advice or documentation for travel. Based on the findings of a white paper developed in conjunction with Intel Corporation, this session unravels:

• Challenges to effective cross border management
• Costs of non-compliance
• Supplier optimization
• Creation of cross-functional units to tackle these issues

 

Asia-Pacific Regional Education Conference

Wednesday, 23 August 15.00 – 16.00

W101 FUNDAMENTALS OF MANAGED TRAVEL: Procurement and Programme Development
If you are new to travel, do not miss this session.  This unique programme is designed especially for executives who are new to the business. A seasoned business travel professional will define the travel management process and the building blocks essential to an effective programme, including the development of a policy that supports the business mission, available tools and the importance of integration, and performance measurement. You'll gain invaluable insights on the key principles and best practices that will enhance your ability to manage your travel spend, improve your relationships with suppliers and return value to your company.

W102 RISK OF PROCUREMENT IN TRAVEL: The Other Side of the Coin
Procurement-related processes are currently viewed as one of the central strategies in progressive business travel management.   Strong financial advantages and benefits of the discipline have been hailed across many corporations. But what are the risks accompanying a “traditional” procurement approach in the category of business travel products and services?  How do you capture savings from your supply chain without sacrificing value?  How best to balance cost vs convenience and quality of service?   What risks do TMCs and supply partners anticipate in this new environment?   How will the procurement function’s emphasis on transparency affect both buyers and suppliers of business travel? 

W103 EMERGING MARKETS: The Middle East & Gulf Region
Despite the dominance of oil in many of the economies of the Middle East and Gulf, numerous countries in the region are making significant investments in private sector development as they continue to diversify and grow their economies.   The region is also increasingly engaged on the larger international economic stage as exemplified by Saudi Arabia’s accession to the WTO, after 10 years of negotiations, at the end of last year.  These developments have given rise to a growing demand for managed travel programs.   This session will explore the top travel management challenges in the region, including the shift to a zero commission environment, the tradeoffs between “local” and “global” account management and the related MIS issues, the future of SBTs in a market where agencies currently handle over 90% of transactions, and security and crisis management challenges unique to the region. 

Wednesday, 23 August 16.15 – 17.15

W202 SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATIONS: Managing Change and Relationships Across Cultures
For all the logic of globalising travel policies, enormous hurdles exist. Corporate cultures aren’t consistent country to country, never mind region to region. Neither is policy, and often for good reason. Laws and informal local practices prohibit standardisation of certain mandates, such as those involving the use of charge cards. Even how people respond to being “managed” varies—in some countries, employees openly flaunt guidelines; in others, they’re followed to the letter.  Pressure is mounting to communicate change effectively and to promote adaptations to policies allowing travel programme-flexibility to suit local needs. This session will offer tips on how to create a successful communication strategy and influence compliance for your travel program whether your corporation’s culture supports mandates or not.
 
W203 ONLINE SECURITY BREACH ALERT: Do You Have a Leaky Online Solution?
While online booking tools and automated expense management systems offer numerous benefits—from operational efficiencies, cost savings and better MIS capabilities, there are also potential risks involved in transferring your company’s profile data and travel patterns electronically.  Do you know what happens to your data when it leaves you?  Do you have adequate data control policies in place?  This session will explore the subject and provide advice for corporate purchasers on what they can do to protect their company’s vital information.

Thursday, 24 August 11.45 – 12.45

T101 MOBILITY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY: Travel Managers’ Latest KPI?
As businesses continue to globalize, whether through market expansion, trade liberalization or outsourcing, employees are increasingly “in motion.”   But travel and time away from the office, while essential to the conduct of global commerce, still presents a significant disruption in work flow, communication and productivity.   What role, if any, should travel management professionals play in mitigating these losses?   This seminar examines the opportunities for travel management beyond the traditional portfolio of T&E cost management and explores ways in which various industries are defining and applying performance measurement standards in this arena.   
   
T102 NEGOTIATIONS WITH LOW COST AIRLINES: How to Get Maximum Value?
The advent of low cost carriers (LCCs), and their success in the marketplace, has significantly impacted the aviation industry from airfare rationalization to setting new standards of in-flight service delivery.  The low cost operating model of many LCCs, however, has fostered sales strategies for corporate clients that are markedly different from those of network carriers.   This seminar will focus on how to evaluate the low cost carrier option for your managed air program and offer tips on how to successfully leverage the benefits that LCCs may provide.

T103 SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL PROGRAMMES, PART 1
Implementing a global travel management programme is a common goal for many multi-national corporations and promises significant payoffs in terms of supplier leverage, cost savings and better MIS capability. This seminar will examine the variety of definitions and approaches to establishing a global programme, given the myriad of corporate structures, requirements and supplier capabilities that abound.   What are the prime benefits of globalizing?   What challenges and compromises should travel managers expect to make in terms of planning, implementing, negotiating, measuring and gaining buy-in from both senior management and employees? 

Thursday, 24 August 14.45 – 15.45

T 201 NEGOTIATIONS WITH HOTELS: Optimizing Your Spend in a Seller’s Market
According to hotel industry analysts, average daily rates per occupied room in most major markets worldwide will continue to rise throughout 2006.  This will especially impact travel budgets wherein hotel spend typically accounts for 30-40% of a corporation's total travel spend.  Optimizing hotel spend is a challenging task due to the fragmented nature of the expenditure, the volatility of the market itself along with the traditionally uncontrolled behaviours of travellers in this area.  Travel managers and hotel revenue management experts will share their tips for how to create an intelligent hotel management programme and improve savings and satisfaction for all parties. 

T202 PROCUREMENT TRENDS: Managed Travel's Contribution to Other Categories of Indirect Spend
The emergence of the procurement function into prominence is a phenomenon that transcends national boundaries and industry lines.  As a result, breaking down silos and coordinating activities across business functions is becoming increasing important.   This seminar provides insight on the current status and future trends of managed travel among other categories of indirect spend.  Experts will offer their perspective on the following issues: How does managed travel rank in strategic importance against other categories of spend?  Are there unique skills and processes which are inherent in business travel procurement that can be assets to other categories of indirect spend and vice versa?  What is the importance of personal relationships and what are appropriate performance metrics for services procurement as compared to manufacturing/commodity purchasing?  What are the current trends in BPO (business process outsourcing) for indirect spend categories and what affect might these have on the procurement of travel? 

T203 SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL PROGRAMMES, PART 2
The second part of this seminar presents the framework to manage the technical, data, and human resource requirements in a global environment that is dynamic and unpredictable.  Learn best-in-class techniques and practices in applying these assets to obtain optimal results globally and locally, including the viability of global agreements across various supplier categories such as airline alliances and hotel chains.

 

 

Atlanta Globel Education Conferece Post Site

M101 Flying Under the Radar:  Technologies That May Escape Detection
This session surveyed the tools and their functions that influence behavior and offer improved intelligence for better management of spend in the planning phase of the travel life cycle.
Moderator: Steve Smith, Director, Solutions Management, TRX
Presenters: Mark Becker, Regional Vice President U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems
David Billinger, Director of Professional Services, GetThere
Tom Barrett, Director of Global Strategic Sourcing, American Standard Companies

M102 The Red Tape of Global Programs Examined
Local customs related to human resources, legal and local business practices can often challenge globalization efforts. This section focused on the red flags for the travel program and workable solutions in these areas as you prepare for consolidation and globalization of your program.
Moderator: Richard Crum, President & CEO, AirPlus International, Inc.
Presenters:  Ulrich Horstmann, Corporate Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing, Schindler Management Ltd.
Martin Warner, Executive Vice President, Global Accounts and Solutions, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Sponsor: Carlson Wagonlit Travel

M103 Air Turbulence
This session will explored the future role and share of network carriers. It was a close inspection of alliances and the niches both categories of airlines are carving out for future growth and profits provided necessary insight for defining corporate air programs.
Presenters: Albert Taras, Managing Director, TCG Consulting
David Field, Americas Editor, AIRLINE BUSINESS

M105 Channeling for Content
More than a few airlines have boldly announced their intentions to discriminate where their inventory is distributed in 2006 as their GDS agreements expire.
Moderator: John Caldwell, President, Caldwell Associates
Presenters:
Scott Brandt, Managing Director, World Wide Sales Strategy, United Airlines
Graham Atkinson, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Alliances, United Airlines
Loren Brown, CIO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Kurt Ekert, Senior Vice President, Supplier Services, Cendant TDS
Pam Elledge, Vice President, Sales & Distribution, Delta Air Lines
Michael Qualantone, VP - Global Distribution Strategy, American Express Business Travel
Cheryl Weldon, Vice President-Major Accounts, Worldspan
Sponsor: Amadeus

M106: Responsible Purchasing: Creating Sustainable Business
Responsible procurement tactics are one way in which corporate travel managers can bring responsible business practices into their companies’ overall CSR strategy. A panel of industry consultants and green travel experts presented the practical benefits of green procurement and associated case studies to corporate travel industry. The session enabled participants to propose inexpensive but significant contributions to an organizations CSR marketing and to illustrate to senior management the many valuable ways travel buyers and suppliers can contribute to an organizations overall success and bottom line.
Presenter: Scot Case, President, Responsible Sourcing Solutions

M107 Total Employee Mobility
As businesses continue to globalize, whether through market expansion or outsourcing, employees are increasingly “in motion”. The costs and processes associated with managing a mobile workforce—from business travel, meetings, corporate aircraft, fleet management, relocation services to mobile/home offices—are dispersed throughout most organizations, with many different professional disciplines, process owners, and outsource providers involved. This fragmentation makes accountability and management oversight elusive at best. The innovative concept, that was presented by Runzheimer International, quantified the potential benefits to companies in adopting this approach—from a conservative projected savings of 15-50% in administrative costs and 5% in total program costs-- Skatrud described how travel management professionals are ideally positioned to take advantage of this explosive opportunity to create value for their companies.
Presenter: Heidi Skatrud, Vice President, Market Development, Runzheimer International

M201 Enabling Traveler Productivity Through Technology
This session surveyed tools and services that can improve productivity and make life easier for the traveler before, during and after the business trip. Travel managers learned about technologies that can help them manage that fine line between procurement focused results and end user delight, and how delivering great service doesn't have to mean spending more. For Suppliers, the session discussed technology trends that could help keep that most valued of all customers, the "road warrior", happy and loyal.
Moderator: Anthony D'Astolfo Vice President, Travel Services Rearden Commerce
Presenter:  Doug Weeks, Senior Manager, Booz Allen Hamilton
Sponsor:  US Bank

M203 Optimizing Hotel Spend in a Seller’s Market
The suddenly shifting landscape of hotel sourcing characterized by a seller’s market, dynamic pricing and the growth of detailed spend data has radically changed the hotel procurement life cycle. With no signs of returning to a less volatile atmosphere, this session was intended to prepare both buyers and sellers for the next round of hotel procurement.
Moderator: John Asselta, Senior Vice President, Partnership Travel Consulting
Presenters: Maria Chevalier, VP Hotel Relations & TPS Hotels, WorldTravel BTI
Brian Nichols Hotel & Ground Transportation Programs Manager Strategic Procurement Services Deloitte Services LP;
Steve Richard, Vice President Global Sales Organization Alliance Accounts & Latin America, Marriott International

M204 ROI of a Global Travel Program
This session scrutinized the industry’s experience in its efforts to consolidate and reduce vendors and eliminate perceived redundancies.
Moderator: Danny Hood, Consultant, Former President, WorldTravel BTI
Presenters: Bindu Bhatia, Vice President, Global Sales North America, Carson Wagonlit Travel
Scott Gutz, President and CEO - North America e-Travel, The e-Commerce Division of Amadeus
Sabine Sehrt, Vice President International Travel Management, Siemens AG - Corporate Mobility Services
Sponsor: Boston Coach

M205 Channeling for Content
More than a few airlines have boldly announced their intentions to discriminate where their inventory is distributed in 2006 as their GDS agreements expire. Responses to these and other distribution questions were discussed by industry stakeholders.
Moderator: John Caldwell, President, Caldwell Associates
Presenters:
Scott Brandt, Managing Director, World Wide Sales Strategy, United Airlines
Graham Atkinson, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Alliances, United Airlines
Loren Brown, CIO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Kurt Ekert, Senior Vice President, Supplier Services, Cendant TDS
Pam Elledge, Vice President, Sales & Distribution, Delta Air Lines
Michael Qualantone, VP - Global Distribution Strategy, American Express Business Travel
Cheryl Weldon, Vice President-Major Accounts, Worldspan
Sponsor: Amadeus

T201 Optimizing Reporting and Travel Spend Through Technology
Technology enablers provided financial travel intelligence to the organization including budgeting systems, expense reporting and other reporting tools will be reviewed and assessed for their ability to provide concise and valuable information about business travel to the organization.
Moderator: Robert Langsfeld, Partner, The Corporate Solutions Group
Presenters:
Ron Sharer, Director, Corporate Support Services, CIBA Vision Corporation
Jack Lever
Bobbi Huber

T202 Business Travel Management in the Middle East & Gulf Region
Despite political upheavals in areas of the Middle East, many countries have seen their economies blossom and diversify over the last decades. This session explored how the region is approaching travel management differently than Western Europe or North America and why travel management companies in that region are likely to continue to see their travel budgets grow in the coming years.
Moderator: Tricia Warwick, Group Director of Sales, Jumeirah
Presenters:  Bicky Carlra, Managing Director & Senior Vice President,TQ3 Travel Solutions Asia Pacific
Deva Sampson David, Travel Manager, Middle East Asia, Schlumberger Oilfield Service
Sponsor:  Jumeirah


T203 Where to Take Your Strategic Meetings Management Next?
Rising demand, rates and new technology applications are driving companies to fine-tune their strategic meetings management initiatives to achieve greater ROI in 2006. Attendees learned how leading companies are addressing the new conditions and where they're finding the biggest returns.
Moderator: Mary Ann McNulty, Editor, Corporate Travel NEXT
Presenters: Michele M. Snock, CMM Manager, Global Meeting Services - Americas, Cisco Systems
Deborah Matarazzo, Manager, Global Meetings & Hotel Program, Hewlett-Packard
Christopher Staal, Vice President, Global Sourcing Strategies, Thomson Corporation
Connie Bocchieri, Manager, Global Meeting Management, Pfizer
Sponsor: Carlson Wagonlit Travel

T204  New Concepts  & Best Practices in  Risk Management
Events of the past year and a half have further promoted the travel department’s role in corporate risk management. Preparedness is the first rule of risk management and most organizations are reviewing and updating their business continuity plans. It is incumbent on the travel department to ensure their plans are integrated with their enterprise’s strategy. Conference attendees learned the new expectations of the travel department related to risk management and human asset protection.
Moderator: : Sylvia Gray, Director, Sylvia Gray Consulting
Presenters: Bob McGurk, Vice President, Corporate Travel Services, Turner Broadcasting System Inc.
Debra L Reid, US Travel Services, Manager Shell
Peter Sijbers, Global Commodity Manager, Philips Electronics