Press Release
For Immediate Release
16 February 2005
Communication Lines on Distribution May Be Drawn in the Sand at ACTE Executive Forum in March
Alexandria, VA -- - Industry insiders are predicting enough heat to spark an early spring when procurement specialists, airline industry leaders, and GDS representatives confront each other at a forum focusing on distribution to be held in Newark, New Jersey, on March 2, 2005. At stake are hundreds of millions of dollars in fees that no one wants to pay and everyone wants to collect. Convening under the aegis of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, this forum will provide the kind of controversy and high level insight usually encountered at one of the organization's major conferences.
"Distribution has emerged as the line drawn in the sand," said ACTE President Greeley Koch, "and new lines are being drawn every week. Our presenters for this event are some of the most important stakeholders in the industry, and I can guarantee they won't be shy about stating their positions -- or drawing lines."
Participants for the agenda's opening discussion on distribution include Graham Atkinson, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Alliances, United Airlines; David Cerino, Vice President and General Manager, Orbitz for Business, Orbitz; Ellen Lee, Co-Founder and Vice President, Business Development, G2Switchworks; and David Schwarte, General Counsel & Executive Vice President, Sabre.
Just months before ACTE's conference in Vancouver, this forum will identify the most immediate points of contention on the distribution horizon, while allowing travel managers and procurement specialists to accurately predict the yearlong trend.
It's no secret to anyone that rationalized airfares and the economic evolution of the travel industry is whittling away at the traditional role of the travel manager. At the same time, dozens of outside pressures -- ranging from government action to new business models -- have the potential to smash travel budgets with overwhelming costs. The second presentation of this forum will focus on the new, enhanced, and far more valuable role of the travel and procurement executive in identifying and dealing with these developments. Titled, "Defining Value for the Role of the Corporate Travel Manager for 2005 and Beyond, this discussion will be based on actual case studies. Presenters are: Michele Bryant, Director, Procurement/Travel, Strategic Procurement Services, Deloitte Services LP; and Miriam Moscovici, Travel Manager, Airline/Agency, Operations and Procurement, Deloitte Services LP.
And as if to prove the point, the final presentation of the day -- "Open Dialogue on Open Skies" -- deals with a subject that may ultimately have more influence on business travel than the deregulation of the GDS, low cost carriers, and the end of commissions combined. This little-understood issue will greatly change the number of service options, and existing competitive structures, between international carriers. This discussion will illustrate the pros and cons of a in international movement that is beginning to gain momentum. It will be presented by Dr. Stephen van Beek, Executive Vice President, Policy, Airports Council International.
The event will be held at the:
Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel
128 Frontage Road
Newark, NJ 07114
Tel: 1-973-690-5500
On: March 2, 2005
Registration: 8am - 8:45am
Press registrations will be provided for accredited reporters and travel writers who register in advance. For press registration, please contact:
Gretchen Beasley
[email protected]
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com