We are honored to have such a prestigious collection of professionals from both inside and outside of the travel industry.
With over 60 speakers currently on the agenda, we know TravelCom 2010 will be an ideal destination for collaboration.
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Charles Anderer
Group Publisher, Gaming, BNP Media
Session: Gaming CEO Panel
Charles Anderer serves as group publisher for BNP Media’s gaming group. In this role, he oversees both the company’s trade shows and conferences and its gaming publications, which include Casino Journal and Slot Manager. He manages content development, sales and marketing for these publications and for the events, which include Bingo World, Southern Gaming Summit, Gaming Technology Summit, New York Gaming Summit, New England Gaming Summit, Florida Gaming Summit and Casino Marketing. Anderer also works to promote synergies between the events and the publications and writes a monthly column for Casino Journal. He joined the company (then known as GEM Communications) in 1995 as editor of International Gaming & Wagering Business and later served several years managing the events division. Anderer holds a master’s degree in business administration from Pace University in New York, and a degree in international affairs from the American College in Paris.
For more information on BNP Media and Charles Anderer please visit BNP Media |
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Eric Bader
President
BrandinHand, Inc.
Session: Mobile Media Session
Eric Bader is a partner in BrandInHand, a full-service mobile marketing and media company that serves global brand marketers, partners with agencies and consults emerging media companies. Bader was formerly Managing Director of Digital, at MediaVest Worldwide. Under his leadership, Advertising Age named MediaVest its Digital Media Agency of the Year in 2006. In 2007 Eric was named Mediaweek’s Digital Media All-Star. Before his tenure at MediaVest he was the head of online enterprises at CSTV Networks (now CBS College Sports) and prior to that, Eric served for seven years as Executive Director of Interactive Marketing at Ogilvy Worldwide. Eric, a native and current New Yorker, earned a B.A. from The University of Colorado at Boulder.
For more information on Brand in Hand and Eric Bader please visit Brand in Hand |
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Kari Bjorhus
Vice President, Enterprise Communications
The Coca-Cola Company
Session: Innovator of the Year Award Presentation
Kari Bjorhus is vice president, Enterprise Communications, at The Coca-Cola Company. She leads a team of people at the corporate center responsible for executive communications, internal communications, digital communications and reports (annual review, sustainability report). Earlier, she worked in issues management, leading strategy development and communications on key issues for the global corporation, with a primary focus on health and nutrition, environment and workplace/labor issues. During her tenure at The Coca-Cola Company, she also has held management positions in interactive, financial and marketing communications. Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Bjorhus worked as a public relations consultant at Shandwick International and Hill and Knowlton. She began her career in employee communications at Bristol-Myers. Bjorhus holds a BA degree in English from St. Olaf College and an MA in Journalism from Columbia University.
For more information on Kari Bjorhus or Coca-Cola please visit Expedition 206. |
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Ryan Bifulco
Founder & CEO
Travel Spike
Session: "Actionable Strategies for Tomorrow" Forum
Ryan is an Internet pioneer with over 15 years of travel and new media experience. He created the first Ad Network exclusively for the travel & tourism industries back in 2002 when SideStep.com (now Kayak) became the first publisher. An expert on interactive travel, destination marketing and tourism, Ryan has been featured on Business Talk Radio's Travel Show, ABC Radio, NY Times, and USA Today. He launched the first ever luxury travel podcast in January of 2006 called journeyPod. He founded and leads Travel Spike which offers custom marketing and technology solutions exclusively to the travel and hospitality sector. Ryan regularly speaks at top industry shows like PhoCusWright, ITB Berlin, Destination Marketing Association International and Hospitality Sales and Marketing International. Prior to Travel Spike, Ryan was at LastMinuteTravel.com as VP Strategic Alliances and VP Operations. Ryan launched airtran.com in 1998 and guided it to become the number one airline website according to Salomon Smith Barney. As a member of the AirTran management team, he established and ran the revenue management, pricing, distribution planning, tour and e-commerce departments. Ryan was promoted three times in three years while at US Airways and was responsible for over $675 million in annual revenue while he ran the international revenue management department. He received his degree in Economics from Wake Forest University.
For more information on Travel Spike and Ryan Bifulco please visit Travel Spike |
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Susan Black
Co-Founder & Partner
The Black & Wright Group
Session: Executive Women's Forum
Susan Black is co-founder of the 9-year old strategy firm, The Black & Wright Group, www.blackandwright.com. Susan is also Senior Advisor at Bentley Associates Investment Bank’s Travel & Leisure Group www.bentleylp.com, where she leads the Strategic Advisory Practice. Clients include leading online travel brands, traditional travel distributors and suppliers, and travel industry start-ups. She serves on several corporate advisory boards, and was elected to ATME's Executive Committee (Association of Travel Marketing Executives) and USTravel's eCommerce Committee. An experienced travel marketer, Susan recently served as Chief Marketing Officer of CheapCaribbean.com, a top ranked website dedicated to Caribbean and Mexico vacations. Her previous posts include Executive Vice President, Marketing for $2B Liberty Travel/GOGO Worldwide Vacations; Founder, TravelCom Conference & Expo and the Executive Women’s Forum; Chairman of eTravelWorld; GM and Publisher of Thomas Publishing's Travel Group; and Associate Publisher of Corporate Travel Magazine. As an active social media participant, she currently helps marketers develop, implement and measure social media strategies for their travel brands. Follow Susan on Twitter @SusanTravels.
For more information on the Black & Wright Group and Susan Black please visit The Black & Wright Group
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Bruce Bommarito
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
U.S. Travel Association
Session: International Travel Forum
Bruce C. Bommarito joined U.S. Travel as Vice President of International Market Development in December of 2006 and in September 2007 assumed the additional responsibility of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He reports directly to CEO Roger Dow and is responsible for all U.S. Travel Association departments. He remains General Manager of International Pow Wow but will oversee all events through their respective departments. In this role he is also responsible for increasing the visibility of the United States as a tourism destination in new and existing travel markets as well as expanding global travel market share for the U.S. Prior to joining U.S. Travel, Mr. Bommarito was Director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) which included international satellite offices in China, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. He directed the creation and establishment of Nevada's tourism office in Beijing in 2004, when NCOT became the first U.S. tourism entity to be granted a license by the People's Republic of China to advertise to prospective outbound Chinese visitors.
For more information on the U.S. Travel Association and Bruce Bommarito please visit U.S. Travel Association
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Simon Bradley
Vice President, Americas
VisitBritain
Session: International Travel Forum
Simon Bradley is a travel marketer with over 15 years experience in international destination marketing in both the private and public sector. Since 2007 he has lead the Americas region for VisitBritain, the agency responsible for marketing Britain for leisure and business travel. He has responsibility for offices in New York, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo and Toronto and oversees a broad range of programs including consumer marketing, media relations, industry partnerships, online promotions and market intelligence. Simon joined VisitBritain in 2003 from South West Tourism – a tourism agency promoting the south-west region of England. Since joining VisitBritain, he has been Regional Manager for Europe Nordic, responsible for marketing Britain in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, based in Stockholm. More recently, he was based in London heading up development of VisitBritain’s domestic online marketing and websites, and overseeing the vast network of visitor information centers across the country.
For more information on VisitBritain and Simon Bradley please visit VisitBritain |
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Jane Butler
Google, Inc.
Session: Executive Women's Forum
Jane Butler brings nearly 15 years of experience in travel marketing to Google, where she leads the team that works with Travel advertisers to build and executed measurable, targeted and creative online campaigns. As head of the Travel industry team, she is responsible for driving the team's strategy, revenue, industry and consumer insights, product insights, thought leadership, sales management and operational excellence. Jane joined Google in 2003, bringing a wealth of knowledge that helped to pioneer the online Travel advertising category. During her time at Google, she also gained cross-industry perspective as Managing Director for the US West Coast, where she she was responsible for sales and operations for 16 teams across a variety of consumer-focused industries. Prior to Google, Jane was president of LastMinuteTravel.com, where she led global sales and marketing for the company in its turn-around year. She also served as Publisher of DoubleClick's Travel Network and has worked extensively with all categories of travel including air, hotel, car, cruise, online and traditional travel agencies, travel publishers and destination marketing organizations.
For more information on Google and Jane Butler please visit Google |
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Blake Cahill
SVP Marketing
Visible Technologies
Session: Cornell Social Media Panel
Blake Cahill is the Senior VP of Sales and Marketing at Visible Technologies where he is responsible for executing marketing strategies, thought leadership, and analyst relations to increase market and customer awareness for revenue growth. Blake has more than 16 years of executive management experiences leading marketing, sales, product management, and customer support organizations both domestically and internationally in a variety of technology, consumer, and telecommunications companies such as SafeHarbor Technology Corporation, AT&T, Belgacom, Qwest, SBC, and ServiceMaster.com. Through these diverse experiences Blake has witnessed the intersection that drives businesses and their results are uniquely conjoined to “listening to the customer” and he has developed some insights about the intersections of customer experience, brands, and technology. Blake holds bachelor's degrees in political science, history, and business from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.
For more information on Visible Technologies and Blake Cahill please visit Visible Technologies
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Patrick Cassady
Vice President, Sales
Expense Wire
Session: Business Travel Forum
Patrick has been involved with high tech sales for roughly 20 years, and has led solution oriented sales teams for the better part of two thirds of this time. During Patrick’s career, he has been primarily focused on positioning productivity enhancing automation software for such companies as Network General, Internet Security Systems, GlobalSight, Aspect Communications, Spikesource and most recently, Expesewrire. At Expensewire, Patrick is responsible for all aspects of sales and sales operations. He is devoted to the concept that every company will ultimately automate the intensely manual process of expense management. And, that this fact is couple tightly with the larger goal of automating the entire T&E process via one on-line business services platform.
For more information on Expense Wire and Patrick Cassady please visit Expense Wire |
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Robert Coggin
Vice Chairman
Travelport GDS
Session: GDS Panel
Bob Coggin is Vice Chairman, Travelport GDS. Bob acts as an advisor and key ambassador for Travelport GDS across the travel industry, providing guidance and assisting in the management of Galileo’s relationships with all senior level airline executives and other supplier partners. Headquartered in Langley, UK, and operating across 145 countries, Travelport GDS comprises the Galileo and Worldspan businesses; Shepherd Systems, an expert in the field of providing business and marketing intelligence to the travel industry and Thor, a provider of distribution and marketing services to travel-related companies. Prior to Travelport’s acquisition of Worldspan in August 2007, Bob was Vice Chairman of Galileo. Previous to this, Bob was Vice Chairman of Travelport Airline Services, responsible for supporting a number of strategic initiatives and as a respected industry veteran, worked to help elevate the company’s profile within the travel industry. Before joining Travelport in 2002, Bob had a 42-year career with Delta Air Lines where he served in various senior positions in Delta’s Passenger Service and Sales/Marketing Divisions. Bob attended Alabama Christian College and has participated in Executive Masters in Business Administration Programs at the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.
For more information on Travelport GDS and Robert Coggin please visit Travelport GDS |
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Danielle Saba Courtenay
Chief Marketing Officer
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Session: Leisure Travel Forum
Danielle Courtenay joined the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. in February 1995. As Chief Marketing Officer, she develops the long-range strategy and directs the day-to-day marketing plans and objectives including; global public relations, public affairs, domestic and international integrated leisure marketing and promotions as well as meetings & conventions marketing. In addition, her responsibilities include issues management, crisis communications and digital strategy. Previously she was the vice president of an advertising and public relations agency that specialized in travel and tourism. She has served in multiple volunteer positions with the Public Relations Society of America, Society of American Travel Writers and Destination Management Association International and serves as the chair of the United States Travel Association Communications Council and on the Alliance for Arts and Culture board of directors. She has earned the Accredited Public Relations designation and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Auburn University and Masters of Science degree in Marketing Communication from Florida State University.
For more information on the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. and Danielle Courtenay please visit Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
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Noreen Courtney-Wilds
Vice President, Sales
JetBlue Airways
Session: GDS Panel
Noreen Courtney-Wilds is Vice President, Sales for JetBlue Airways, a position she has held since October 2007. In this role she is responsible for all sales, distribution and tactical marketing plans. Noreen started with JetBlue in July 2000, as Manager Business Development, and also served as Director of Sales from 2003 to 2007. Prior to joining JetBlue, she held management positions at Virgin Atlantic Airways and Aer Lingus. She began her career in the airline industry in 1993, as a reservations agent for Aer Lingus. Noreen received Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Delaware. She currently resides in Leonia, NJ with her husband and their three children.
Fore more information on JetBlue Airways and Noreen Courtney-Wilds please visit JetBlue Airways
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Anthony Del Gaudio
Vice President, Global Distribution
Loews Hotels
Session: Hotel Executive Panel
Anthony Del Gaudio has been promoted to the newly created position of Vice President of Global Distribution at Loews Hotels. An accomplished sales and marketing executive with broad experience in the Mid-Atlantic region, Del Gaudio was most recently Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Loews Hotels. In his new position, he will be responsible for the centralization of all relationships, control, promotional efforts and inventory/pricing for Loews portfolio of 18 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada. “As we continue to grow and expand our global presence, Anthony’s extensive experience and hands-on style will be invaluable to establishing the brand in new markets,” said Felicia Fisher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Strategic Planning. Del Gaudio joined Loews in 2001 as Director of Sales and Marketing at the historic Loews Philadelphia, where he oversaw all revenue-roducing positions, sales reservations, convention services, marketing and public relations. In addition, he was responsible for the successful launch of SoleFood, the hotel’s seafood restaurant, and the debut of an NBC studio on-site. Under his direction, his team of 28 was awarded Loews Hotels’ 2002 Hotel Marketing Team of the Year.
For more information on Loews Hotesl and Anthony Del Gaudio please visit Loews Hotels
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Christine Duffy
President & Chief Executive Officer
Maritz Travel Company
Session: Meetings & Events Forum
Christine Duffy is president and chief executive officer of Maritz Travel, one of the largest meeting, event and incentive travel management companies in the world. Headquartered in St. Louis, Maritz Travel combines industry insight with the art of motivation and the science of technology to develop customized events that deliver targeted business results. Managing more than $700 million in revenue, Duffy is responsible for ensuring the highest level of service quality is delivered to clients, to help them achieve their unique business objectives. Duffy is very active in the meetings industry. Through her expertise, vision and approachable communication style, she is empowering meeting professionals around the globe to elevate their profession and prove their strategic value to their company’s bottom line. She has been invited to numerous industry conferences to share her knowledge and experience around: trends in the meeting and incentive industry, meeting effectiveness, outsourcing and strategic meetings management. She has served on the Meeting Professionals International MPI Board of Directors for six years and was appointed 2005-2006 Chairwoman of the Board.
For more information on Maritz Travel Company and Christine Duffy please visit Maritz Travel Company |
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Anne Fischer
Director of Digital & Lifestyle Marketing
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Session: Leisure Travel Forum
Anne Fischer is the Director of Lifestyle & Digital Marketing at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, including: SeaWorld parks in Orlando, FL., San Diego, CA. and San Antonio, TX., Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, FL. and Williamsburg, VA., their adjoining water parks, Aquatica, Water Country USA, and Adventure Island, as well as Discovery Cove in Orlando and Sesame Place near Philadelphia.
For more information on SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Anne Fischer please visit SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
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Dana Fowler
President
Media Flashpoint
Session: Leisure Travel Forum
Dana is a dynamic, results-driven digital strategist/producer with a 16 year record of achievement and demonstrated success building and expanding branded campaigns in the interactive arena.Over the years, she has worked for television news stations, large corporations, advertising agencies and her own small video and digital marketing business, Media Flashpoint (previously named DRF Productions.) Dana’s diverse experience allows her to bring unique perspectives to achieving integrated marketing campaigns and long-term marketing goals for businesses of all sizes.Dana is known for being a "first adopter" of new digital marketing techniques. She has a unique ability to quickly interpret how new technologies can be harnessed to meet the marketing needs of her clients. Look for Dana to be on the forefront of the use of augmented reality applications in mobile marketing in the near future.In recent years, she has developed a specialty in the business applications of both social media channels and mobile advertising and marketing. She teaches "how to" seminars on getting started in social media, how to write a profile for optimized search, and the strategies to find and maintain connections with a specific business target audience. In addition to developing long-term strategic digital marketing plans, Dana enjoys leading teams in the development of individual video and interactive projects. Dana produces corporate videos and documentaries, develops websites, online banners, rich media, interactive kiosks (including ones programmed using new gesture-based technologies) and software development.
For more information on Media Flashpoint and Dana Fowler please visit Media Flashpoint
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Sam Fulton
Group Vice President, Retailing
Orbitz Worldwide
Session: Online Travel Agency Executive Panel
Sam Fulton serves as Group Vice President of Retail for Orbitz Worldwide. The Retail team is responsible for the onsite consumer experience for Orbitz and CheapTickets. Sam also has responsibility for Information Architecture, Design and the Away Network. Prior to becoming the Group Vice President of Retail, Sam held several key positions within the organization including Group Vice President of Product Management and Vice President and General Manager of Transportation, which was comprised of Air, Car, Cruise and Travel Insurance for Orbitz and CheapTickets. Sam has also held positions in Business Strategy, Product Management, Supplier Services and Business Development since joining the company in late 2002. Prior to Orbitz, Sam worked for Budget Rent a Car as the Director of Travel Industry Sales focusing on preferred travel agency relationships.
For more information on Orbitz Worldwide and Sam Fulton please visit Orbitz Worldwide |
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Robert A. Gilbert
President & CEO
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI)
Session: Online Travel Agency Executive Panel
As President and CEO of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Robert +6+A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, has been guiding HSMAI through a dynamic and exciting period of change as the 7,000+ member organization has been re-established as the definitive hospitality and travel marketing association in the world.During Gilbert’s tenure, HSMAI has achieved tremendous success with a number of initiatives. It has re-affirmed its commitment to industry-specific education through HSMAI chapters and the creation of five special interest groups (SIGs) which provide segment-specific programs such Internet Marketing, Resort Marketing, and Revenue Management Strategy Conferences. Gilbert was also instrumental in the development of the HSMAI University and the expansion of HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings trade shows into three markets. HSMAI U today produces nearly 50 webinars annually, manages two world class simulation training programs, and three certifications. Affordable Meetings provides HSMAI members a direct opportunity to meet potential customers and secure leads for meetings business for their hotel or destination. He has also led the global expansion of HSMAI thru the formation of HSMAI Global in 2003, the opening of an Asia Pacific regional office in Singapore in 2005 and the recent establishment of a new national chapter in the United Arab Emirates.
For more information on the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association and Bob Gilbert please visit Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association |
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Claude Guay
President & CEO
iPerceptions
Session: Research Panel
Claude Guay is the President and Chief Executive Officer at iPerceptions. Guay joins iPerceptions from PhoCusWright where he provided actionable intelligence and strategic consulting to companies in the travel and tourism industry. Guay previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Gildan Activewear, a global apparel manufacturer listed on the NYSE and TSX. During his two-year tenure, Gildan Activewear grew from $773 million to $1.25 billion in annual sales. Between 2000 and 2005, Guay served as President and CEO of international travel packaging solution company Accovia, where he drove the successful and complete image makeover, introduced new strategic solutions and premier customers, and led the sale of the company. Prior to his CEO role at Accovia, Guay worked in management consulting, business development, marketing and sales roles for 16 years at IBM, most recently as an executive in the company’s Global Travel and Transportation Industry unit, where he focused on leveraging new digital technologies. A widely recognized and often quoted expert in travel-related ecommerce and technology publications, Guay has served as a speaker at many travel industry conferences, including Online Revealed, PhoCusWright, ResExpo, TravelCom, marcus evans, Travel Industry Association of Canada and multiple IATA events
For more information on iPerceptions and Claude Guay please visit iPerceptions
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John R. Hach
Sr. Vice President, Digital Agency
TRAVELCLICK, Inc.
Session: "Actionable Strategies for Tomorrow"
As TRAVELCLICK’s Sr. Vice President, Digital Agency, John is responsible for driving the company’s online marketing portfolio including internet and travel agent media through the Global Distribution Systems, which represent about 30% of global hotel revenue. He also heads the strategic direction of TRAVELCLICK’s Internet marketing services, including organic and paid search engine marketing. John joined TRAVELCLICK in 2004 and has over 30 years of experience within the travel industry. John has held executive positions with Cendant, Galileo, and The Hertz Corporation. While at Cendant, he was Vice President of Marketing for TravelLink, a strategic initiative to develop marketing synergies across Cendant’s travel brands. Before Cendant’s acquisition of Galileo, John served as Galileo’s Vice President of Global Marketing, where his responsibilities included pricing strategy, corporate sales, and business development. During his 19-year tenure with The Hertz Corporation, John held a variety of executive positions, including Vice President of Marketing for Latin America and Mexico. As Division Vice President for Travel Industry Sales, he led the company’s United States travel industry sales team of 150 peopleJohn currently serves on the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration’s Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) Marketing Management/Marketing Information Systems Career Track Advisory Board. He has also been recognized by the National Business Travel Association as Allied Member of the Year and as a travel visionary by Business Travel Executive.
For more information on TRAVELCLICK, Inc. and John Hach please visit TRAVELCLICK, Inc.
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Mike Haines
Regional Vice President
Facebook
Session: Leisure Travel Forum
Mike Haines has over 10 years of interactive media experience and currently serves as Facebook’s Regional VP of Sales out of Atlanta. In this role Mike oversees a team focused on helping both brand and direct marketers develop social media strategies to connect with Facebook’s 250MM active users via a combination of targeted ad placement, branded application integration, and custom application development. Prior to joining Facebook, Mike spent 9+ years at Microsoft. As one of the earliest digital media employees at the company he held multiple positions within the MSN Online Services Group, his last being Senior Director of Sales for the South Region. In this role Mike managed a team responsible for developing custom interactive advertising programs across the MSN portal and emerging media platforms such as the Xbox, mobile phone, and IPTV. His first role at Microsoft was as part of the launch team for Sidewalk.com, Microsoft’s initial foray into local content, commerce and search. Mike received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
For more information on Facebook and Mike Haines please visit Facebook |
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Roger E. Hale
President & CEO
ADTRAV Travel Management
Session: GDS Panel
Roger is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in Engineering Management. Originally from the Chicago area, he has been in the travel industry for over 30 years and has held a variety of supervisory and management positions including sales manager, general manager, and Vice President of branch operations. Roger was promoted to his current position as President of ADTRAV in 1990. Shortly thereafter, Roger and others purchased ADTRAV Travel Management and implemented a strategy of growth through acquisition and customer satisfaction. In 2004, Roger became the sole owner of the corporation. Under his leadership, ADTRAV has become a leader in the corporate and Federal Government travel market. Headquartered in Birmingham Alabama, ADTRAV operates a network of offices across the country and a global reservation center in Birmingham. Founded in 1977, ADTRAV has grown to become one of the top 10 corporate travel companies in the United States. ADTRAV employs over 150 professionals.
For more information on ADTRAV Travel Management and Roger Hale please visit ADTRAV Travel Management
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Meredith A. Hanrahan
Chief Marketing Officer
Cheapflights Media
Session: International Travel Forum
Meredith has more than 20 years' experience in senior marketing, management and management consultancy positions. Prior to Cheapflights, Meredith served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for publicly traded Salary.com Inc from September 2005 until July 2009. Her past experience encompasses both digital and retail marketing and branding with household names like Terra Lycos the Spanish internet provider, General Mills Inc, Miller Brewing Company and Lindt Chocolate USA as well as Strategy Consulting at KPMG and McKinsey & Company. Meredith holds a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.
For more information on Cheapflights Media and Meredith Hanrahan please visit Cheapflights Media |
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Henry Harteveldt
Vice President, Principal Analyst
Forrester Research
Session: Research Panel
Henry's research helps travel industry eBusiness & Channel Strategy professionals worldwide understand and anticipate how technology will affect the way they market, sell, and distribute their products and services. He joined Forrester in January 2000 to lead the worldwide travel industry practice. Henry's research at Forrester has served to define strategy and opportunity across the travel industry and functions as a leading indicator of key trends and innovation. Recent key research by Henry identified the opportunity presented by mobile data services for travel marketing, customer service, and distribution; recognized the need for the industry to humanize the digital travel experience by making the human benefits more visible than the technology; and noted the first-ever decline in the number of online travel buyers, coupled with a growth in the use of offline travel agencies. Named one of the 33 most influential people in the travel industry by Travel Weekly magazine in November 2007, Henry is a regular commentator in broadcast and print media. Henry serves on the board of directors of the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) and the advisory board of Travel Distribution Report. Henry was a cofounder of the annual TravelCom travel industry conference and serves as a member of the Travel Industry Association's eCommerce advisory committee. Henry's travel industry marketing, planning, and distribution experience includes leadership roles at Continental Airlines, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, GetThere, and The Trump Organization. Henry is a graduate of the Tulane University School of Business in New Orleans, and he is based in San Francisco.
For more information on Forrester Research and Henry Harteveldt please visit Forrester Research |
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Jeffrey W. Hayzlett
Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President
Eastman Kodak Company
Session: Closing Keynote Speaker
Jeffrey Hayzlett serves as the Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company, reporting to Kodak Chairman and CEO Antonio M. Perez. As CMO, Mr. Hayzlett is responsible for the company's worldwide marketing operations including the design and implementation of all marketing strategies, investments, policies, and processes. He leads the company's efforts for Strategy and Planning, Marketing Programs, Marketing Network Operations, Brand Development and Management, Business Development, and Corporate Sponsorships. He is also responsible for the company's Corporate Communications, Public Relations and Public Affairs organizations. Kodak’s Board of Directors elected him a corporate vice president in October 2007. Mr. Hayzlett speaks frequently around the world on business growth, communications, and marketing, including keynotes at THE Conference on Marketing, the Direct Marketing Association Leadership Forum, the National Postal Forum, the Canadian Marketing Association's National Convention and Trade Show, and Print Oasis. He is cited as a leading marketing expert in numerous books, magazines, and newspapers worldwide, and is a frequent television guest and commentator, having appeared on shows including CNBC's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Fox Business News, and NBC's Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump. He has received numerous global awards and honors, including the Frost & Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Award for marketing. He was named "Business to Business Marketer of the Year" by BtoB Magazine and "Direct Marketer of the Year" by the University of Akron Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing. In 2008, Mr. Hayzlett was inducted into the College of Business Administration Direct Marketers Hall of Fame. In June 2009, he was awarded the prestigious "G.D. Crain Jr. Award for Marketing Excellence" at the Business Marketing Association's annual meeting. Previously, the U.S. Small Business Association named him "Entrepreneur of the Year."
For more information on Eastman Kodak and Jeff Hayzlett please visit Kokak.Com
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Bruce Himelstein
President
BJH Consulting
Session: Cornell Social Media Panel
An award- winning 30 year veteran of the hospitality industry, Bruce J. Himelstein is a recognized authority on innovative brand marketing and creation of a luxury lifestyle image for the highest quality services and consumer products. As a speaker, his range of experience qualifies him to cover a range of topics from the importance of developing a culture of service, sales intensity and brand innovation. Most recently, Himelstein spent seven years as the dynamic sales and marketing leader behind many highly successful campaigns for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. As corporate senior vice president, sales and marketing, among his most notable accomplishments were his campaign to “Blow the dust off the Lion and Crown” at Ritz-Carlton, a company once known for its classic design and conservative approach to marketing the brand. Himelstein introduced a highly acclaimed global print advertising campaign to update the Ritz-Carlton image with customers. The campaign was recognized with multiple awards and moved both market share and hotel occupancy. He also assembled a team of award-winning Hollywood talents to produce a trio of cutting edge short films, featured as a highly successful web campaign. They were hailed for their quality and creativity from The Wall Street Journal and won the Platinum Award in 2008 from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMAI).
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Scott Hyden
Vice President of Sales
Travelport
Session: Business Travel Forum
Scott Hyden is Vice President of US Sales for Travelport. In this role he is responsible for all US online and offline travel agency relationships for Travelport GDS, representing over $600M in revenue. Prior to joining Travelport, he was President of STA Travel Inc., where he was the executive in charge of all aspects of the North American and Japanese operations for multi-channel businesses in both countries, including oversight of retail branches, full-service call centers and two websites. Mr. Hyden was in charge of a full P & L, totaling over $150M in gross annual travel sales with a focus on complex and multi-country itineraries. Previously, he was the General Manager for Travelocity Business and oversaw all aspects of the Travelocity global corporate agency offering. Mr. Hyden had direct responsibility for sales, account management, product marketing and global operations. Before Travelocity, he held executive positions at Travelweb and American Airlines, where he was in charge of all consumer ecommerce initiatives for the flagship AA.com website. He is a frequent speaker at key industry and ecommerce conferences and has an MBA from Duke University.
For more information on Travelport and Scott Hyden please visit Travelport
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Shel Israel
Author, Blogger, Speaker
Session: Cornell Social Media Panel
Shel Israel is an expert on how businesses use social media. He is a frequent keynote speaker, author and social media company advisor and mentor. He is author of Twitterville, how businesses can thrive in the new Global Neighborhoods, [Portfolio, Sept. 2009]; co-author, of Naked Conversations--how blogs are changing the way businesses talk with customers [Wiley, 2006], and The Conversational Corporation, a Dow Jones eBook [May 2009]. He has contributed editorially to BusinessWeek and FastCompanyTV. His GlobalNeighbourhoods.net, blog is among the 100 most popular business blogs, according to Ad Age. Israel was a reporter and editor for 12 years, before spending 25 years in public relations, mostly as founder-principal of SIPR, an agency that specialized in Silicon Valley start ups.
For more information on Twitterville and Shel Israel please visit Global Neighbourhoods.
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Kevin Iwamoto, GLP
Vice President, Enterprise Strategy
StarCite, Inc.
Session: Business Travel Forum
As Vice President, Enterprise Strategy, Kevin Iwamoto guides StarCite's overall strategy for engaging with buyers and suppliers and next generation technology development. He also works globally with key influencers across industries to raise awareness of the benefits of strategic meetings management. Prior to joining StarCite, Iwamoto was a key senior manager in the Hewlett-Packard Global Travel & Meetings Team, serving as Global Corporate Card, Hotels & Meetings Category Manager. Kevin Iwamoto is a former President & CEO of the Board of Directors for the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and has been honored with every major business travel industry accolade, including in 2009, the NBTA’s Industry Icon Award. He has been recognized by Business Travel News’ as a Best Practitioner a record 3 times and named top 25 Most Influential Executives for both MeetingNews and Business Travel News. Prior to Hewlett-Packard, Mr. Iwamoto served as a Senior Travel Account Manager with The Walt Disney Company and as a Corporate – Nationals Sales Manager with Northwest Airlines.
For more information on on StarCite and Kevin Iwamoto please visit StarCite |
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Stephen A. Joyce
CEO
Rezgo.com
Session: "Actionable Strategies for Tomorrow"
Stephen A. Joyce has been working as a travel & tourism technology consultant since 1995. In 2005 Stephen and his company, Sentias Software Corp., began development on Rezgo.com, a next generation Web 2.0 tour and activity booking engine for SME travel suppliers and tour operators. In June of 2007, Rezgo.com was officially released and now boasts a user base of 1000 companies. Stephen is also very active in fostering tourism technology and is co-chair of the Board of Directors of the OpenTravel Alliance, a non-profit organization whose mandate is to develop and foster messaging standards for travel e-distribution.. He is the publisher of the Tips from the T-List books, a series of ground-breaking books that bring together travel industry bloggers from around the World. The success of the book has resulted in workshops and speaking engagements on Social media and User generated content around the World. Stephen is now working on his latest book about Tourism On-line Marketing. In addition to his tourism initiatives, Stephen is also Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and formerly on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club and the COHO Society of the North Shore. Stephen is a graduate of Capilano University, is a certified Commercial Pilot, and holds a certificate in IT Management. Stephen is married and has two daughters.
For more information on Rezgo.com and Stephen Joyce please visit Rezgo.com
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Stephen Kaufer
President & CEO
TripAdvisor
Session: Facilitated Interview Session
Kaufer co-founded TripAdvisor in 2000 with the mission to help travelers around the world plan and have the perfect trip. Under Kaufer’s leadership, TripAdvisor has grown into the largest Web 2.0 company in the northeast and the world’s largest and most popular travel community, with more than 25 million unique monthly visitors, thirteen million registered members and 30 million reviews and opinions. Kaufer has also built the TripAdvisor Media Network, acquiring sixteen leading travel brands, and expanding TripAdvisor-branded sites into fourteen countries. Kaufer and his co-founders sold TripAdvisor to InterActive Corporation in 2004, which later spun off its travel businesses to Expedia, Inc., and Kaufer has continued to run day-to-day operations. Prior to co-founding TripAdvisor, Kaufer was president of CDS, Inc., a successful independent software vendor specializing in programming and testing tools. Previously, Kaufer was co-founder and vice president of engineering of CenterLine Software, where he led the development of several award-winning programming environments. Kaufer, winner of the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, holds several software patents and has spoken at dozens of travel and high-tech conferences worldwide. He is on the board of directors at Glassdoor (www.glassdoor.com), a job review site; CarGurus (www.cargurus.com), an online automotive community; and the Caring For Carcinoid Foundation (http://www.caringforcarcinoid.org), a non-profit charity dedicated to finding a cure for Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine cancers. He has a B.S. in computer science from Harvard University.
For more information on TripAdvisor and Stephen Kaufer please visit TripAdvisor
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Shafiq Khan
Senior Vice President, eCommerce
Marriott International
Session: Hotel Executive Panel
Shafiq Khan is responsible for leading Marriott’s eCommerce initiatives. These include Marriott.com, which is the lodging industry’s largest website with gross sales of over $5 B in 2007; Marriott’s participation and relationships with all online channels including Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz; all global distribution systems (GDS) including Sabre, Galileo/Worldspan, Amadeus; and the emerging online travel intermediaries which include search engines such as Google and Yahoo and meta-search engines such as SideStep and Kayak. Previously, Shafiq was at US Airways, where he pioneered a series of groundbreaking initiatives which fundamentally restructured airline distribution. These include the development and launch of the airline industry’s first online booking product, Priority TravelWorks; electronic ticketing; and various distribution channel re-engineering projects for the corporate marketplace. Shafiq’s prior background includes assignments at United Airlines in marketing; management consulting with Booz.Allen & Hamilton International; marketing and sales assignments with Pakistan International Airlines, in Pakistan and in France. His academic background includes an MBA from the Harvard Business School and an economics degree from the Punjab University in Lahore, Pakistan. Shafiq is currently a member of the board of trustees of the American Foundation for the Blind; the eBusiness Advisory Board of Towson University; the Advisory Board of OPEN (Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America). His prior board assignments include the Airline Reporting Corporation and the Harvard Business School Club of Washington D.C.
For more information on Marriott International and Shafiq Khan please visit Marriott International
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Daniel Levine
Executive Director
The Avant-Guide Institute
Session: Lunch Keynote Speaker
The head of a leading boutique trends consultancy, Daniel Levine is a celebrated international trends expert with an uncanny ability to help major travel brands and other consumer-oriented businesses be more relevant, innovative and profitable. Hailed as a "genius" by Elle magazine and "the ultimate guru of cool" by CNN, he is the author of over 20 best-selling travel books and a frequent guest on international television and radio. As the Executive Director of the Avant-Guide Institute in New York City, Daniel is the hands-on leader of a huge international team of journalist "trend-hunters" who endlessly search the globe chronicling the latest products, services and experiences. Daniel is often sought to consult with destinations, hotel brands, and other leading companies to help them understand trends in contemporary culture that will stimulate growth and prosperity.
For more information on The Avant-Guide Institute and Daniel Levine please visit The Avant-Guide Institute
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Howard Lefkowitz
President
VEGAS.com
Session: Gaming CEO Panel
Howard Lefkowitz has leveraged more than 25 years of experience in technology, entertainment and consumer engagement to build VEGAS.com into a hybrid retail, marketing, media and systems company with business-to-consumer and business-to-business channels. Under his leadership, the VEGAS.com team of more than 500 employees support four ecommerce sites, box office and show ticket operations, tour operations, concierge desks, retail operations, mobile applications, syndicated television, newspaper editorial supplements and an integration and technology division for the hospitality industry worldwide called Cyllenius.
For more information on VEGAS.com and Howard Lefkowitz please visit VEGAS.com |
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Malcolm L. Lotzof
CEO
InXpo LLC Inc.
Session: Meetings & Events Forum
Mr. Lotzof is CEO of InXpo Inc, the leading provider of Virtual Events, including Virtual Trade Shows, Virtual Career Fairs, Virtual Corporate Events as well as Audio and Video Webcasts. These virtual solutions dramatically reduce travel time and related costs in addition to making the world a greener place to live. InXpo’s Virtual Events provide Publishers with new online revenue opportunities and Corporations with the ability to generate leads, communicate, educate and network by connecting more effectively with their communities. At InXpo Mr. Lotzof, is responsible for driving the company’s vision. Throughout his career Mr. Lotzof has been developing new technology products and related businesses that address paradigm changes in the market. This formula has proven to be very successful for Mr. Lotzof as InXpo is his fourth venture following the above strategy. Previously, Mr. Lotzof was Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Proamics Corporation, a Professional Service Automation Software Company. While growing the company, Mr. Lotzof was instrumental in formalizing the Professional Automation Market Place.
For more information on InXpo Inc and Malcolm Lotzof please visit InXpo Inc |
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Flo Lugli
Executive Vice President, Marketing
Wyndham Hotel Group
Session: Hotel Executive Panel
Flo Lugli is the executive vice president of marketing for Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with 11 brands and more than 7,000 hotels. She is responsible for overseeing distribution, ecommerce, loyalty and research initiatives and leading the global strategic direction for customer engagement and market positioning for the company. A nationally recognized expert with a proven track record of driving revenue, she joined the company in July 2009 after serving more than 20 years with Travelport Limited, one of the world’s largest global distribution system providers and a leader in Web-based e-commerce solutions. Most recently, Lugli served Travelport as senior vice president of commercial in its Global Distribution Services Division and, prior to that, as acting chief marketing officer. During that time she was responsible for leading the company’s GDS business in the Americas and overseeing Travelport’s Global Operations and Global Land and Sea businesses, including the development and execution of its hotel, car rental and leisure strategies. Lugli also spent six years leading the company’s Airline Solutions business unit, holding titles including senior vice president of Airline Solutions and president and managing director, Airline Solutions.
For more information on Wyndham Hotel Group and Flo Lugli please visit Wyndham Hotel Group
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Tim MacDonald
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Expedia.com
Session: Online Travel Agency Executive Panel
Tim MacDonald is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Expedia.com, the most highly visited online booking site in the world. Previously, Tim served as President of Classic Vacations, the leading luxury travel provider in the United States. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Product Management at Hotwire, where he was responsible for site strategy and design, revenue management, business development and business analytics. Earlier in his career, Tim led executive level strategy consulting engagements at Booz Allen & Hamilton, where his clients included consumer goods, technology and travel companies such as Starkist, Heinz, E*TRADE, Lucasfilms and the Travel Industry Association of America (now USTA).
For more information on Expedia.com and Tim MacDonald please visit Exepdia.com |
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Bruce MacMillan
CEO
Meeting Professionals International
Session: Meetings & Events Forum
Bruce MacMillan is currently president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International, the largest global community of meeting professionals with 24,000 members in 80 countries and 71 chapters around the world. Throughout his career in the hospitality industry, he has held a wide spectrum of positions, most recently as president and CEO of the Toronto Convention and Visitors Association from 2003-2006 where he lead the Toronto tourism industry’s post-SARS recovery, growing the CVB’s from less than 700 members and $8 million to almost 1,100 members and $30 million.He has also worked for Tourism Vancouver - the Greater Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau for 11 years as vice president, sales and market development, leading a team of 22 professionals responsible for convention and corporate meetings, tour, and travel and incentive sales marketing. In 1998, Bruce completed a sixteen-month engagement with the Vancouver Whistler 2010 Bid Society where he served as the event’s executive director, responsible for developing the Bid and securing the Canadian 2010 Olympic Winter Games rights after an intense competition with Calgary and Quebec City.
For more information on Meetings Professionals International and Bruce MacMillan please visit Meeting Professionals International |
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Chris Malone
Session: "Actionable Strategies for Tomorrow"
Chris Malone served as chief marketing officer for Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel franchisors. In that position, he oversaw strategies related to marketing, worldwide travel industry sales, advertising, eCommerce and reservations programs. With over 20 years of experience in marketing, he is a uniquely qualified global marketing leader, with a track record of driving business results at such top tier organizations as Coca-Cola, the NBA, and Procter & Gamble. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Marketing for ARAMARK Corporation, a multinational food, facility and uniform services enterprise with more than $12 billion in annual revenues. During his five-years at ARAMARK, Mr. Malone developed sustainable consumer-focused growth strategies for the firm, built a strong marketing organization, and provided results-driven cross-functional leadership for strategic growth initiatives. His many successes include developing and leading a variety of strategic marketing initiatives that helped establish ARAMARK as the industry leader in providing healthy meals, significantly improving the company’s reputation, and accelerating the company’s organic growth rate from 2% in 2002 to a consistent 6% in 2006, generating $450 million in incremental annual revenue. In addition, he conceived and launched the state-of-the-art, 50,000 square foot ARAMARK Innovation Center, which houses the company's corporate research, design and product development resources. This facility not only enables ARAMARK to test new products and services and increase their speed to market, but also allows clients, prospects and investors to view and experience first hand the company’s unique innovation resources and expertise.
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St. John Murphy
Senior Vice President, Global Travel & Hospitality Leader
Keane Consulting
Session: Hotel Executive Panel
St. John Murphy is Senior Vice President, Global Travel & Hospitality Leader for Keane Inc. For over 20 years, Mr. Murphy has been responsible for a wide range of business, marketing and technology initiatives across major segments of the industry including airline, hospitality, car rental, destination tourism and travel distribution. He has extensive multi-national and multi-cultural experience and has held executive level positions with firms such as BearingPoint Consulting, Perot Systems, AMR (the parent of American Airlines) and Avis Rent A Car. He has been responsible for three successful start-ups. In addition to his work in the travel and hospitality industry Mr. Murphy has also worked extensively in the healthcare, manufacturing and retail industries. His clients have included industry leaders such as Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Global Hyatt, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Sabre, Cendant Corp and many others. Mr. Murphy is based in Dallas TX. He attends key industry events and is a member of several industry associations such as the US Travel Association, the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) and the Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP).
For more information on Keane Consulting and St. John Murphy please visit Keane Consulting |
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Tony Nethercutt
Vice President of Sales
AdMob
Session: Mobile Media Session
Tony is responsible for executing AdMob's revenue strategy, building the sales team and managing agency relationships. Tony is a leader in interactive advertising and considered an expert in both media and creative targeting with more than 20 highly successful years of sales experience. Prior to AdMob Tony was VP of Ad Sales at YouTube (acquired by Google) where he led the hypergrowth of the advertising sales team. Previously Tony was Director of Media Strategies at Yahoo!, VP of Business for Carat Interactive and managed the DoubleClick Network Sales office in San Francisco. His television advertising experience included managing the San Francisco office for New World/Fox Television Sales and doing local sales for both KGO-TV/ABC and KGTV/ABC. Tony earned his BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
For more information on AdMob and Tony Nethercutt please visit AdMob |
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Anthony Patrone
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Mohegan Sun
Session: Gaming CEO Panel
As Senior Vice President of Marketing for Mohegan Sun, Anthony Patrone is responsible for all Casino Marketing at the Northeast’s premier entertainment destination, including Customer Relationship Management, Promotions, Direct Marketing, Player Development, Executive Hosts, Asian Marketing, Special Events, VIP Services and Hotel Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining Mohegan Sun, Patrone was Vice President of Casino Marketing at Resorts Atlantic City. He has also held senior marketing positions with the Aztar Corporation and Caesars Entertainment. He boasts more than twenty years of experience in the hotel and casino industry, and his career highlights include chairing a comprehensive revenue enhancement project with the international consulting firm McKinsey & Company for Caesars Atlantic City. Patrone is a native of Philadelphia and holds a bachelor of arts degree in classics from New York University. He resides in East Lyme, Connecticut with his wife and two children.
For more information on Mohegan Sun and Anthony Patrone please visit Mohegan Sun |
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Frank A. Petito
President
Orbitz for Business
Session: Business Travel Forum
Frank A. Petito is the President of Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide. Previously, Mr. Petito was a Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Orbitz Worldwide, where he was responsible for investor relations, mergers and acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Mr. Petito joined Orbitz in 2002 and was part of the team responsible for the Orbitz IPO, the sale of Orbitz to Cendant and the Blackstone Acquisition. Previously, Mr. Petito was a Vice President in the mergers and acquisitions group of Hambrecht & Quist, a technology focused investment bank in San Francisco. Mr. Petito also worked as an investment banker for Roberts Capital Markets in Buenos Aires, Argentina and as a financial analyst at Morgan Stanley in New York and Los Angeles. Mr. Petito earned an M.B.A. from Stanford University and a B.A. from Princeton University.
For more information on Orbitz for Business and Frank Petito please visit Orbitz for Business |
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Paul Pusateri
President
Palms Casino Resort
Session: Gaming CEO Panel
As president of The Palms and Palms Place Hotel, Mr. Pusateri oversees one of Las Vegas’ hippest resorts. Owned by the Maloof family, the boutique property boasts three distinct towers and a diverse mix of bars, restaurants and other amenities including the legendary Playboy Club, Ghostbar, Rain Nightclub, Moon, and The Pearl Concert Theater. Mr. Pusateri served as the senior vice president of The Venetian and The Palazzo overseeing the operations for a 7,000 suite campus. Mr. Pusateri has an extensive background in the hospitality and gaming industry. Before joining The Venetian, he served as chief operations officer for Turnberry Associates in Aventura, Florida. Prior to that, Mr. Pusateri was employed by Park Place Entertainment, where he served as the president and chief operations officer of Bally’s and Paris Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip. In this position, Mr. Pusateri was responsible for opening the Paris Casino Resort, while at the same time operating Bally’s. Mr. Pusateri is a graduate of the University of New Haven and The Culinary Institute of America.
For more information on the Palms Casino Resort and Paul Pusateri please visit Palms Casino Resort |
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Lynn Randall
Strategic Event Consultant
Maritz Travel
Session: Meetings and Events Travel Forum
As strategic event consultant for Maritz Travel, Lynn Randall leads the company’s Business Solutions Group consulting practice. In this leadership role, Randall collaborates with clients to define, capture and improve the value of their events. Randall’s position as a thought leader in the industry provides a unique vantage point for partnering with clients to improve their event strategies. This work aligns an organization’s events to their larger business objectives in measurable and meaningful ways. The emerging opportunities virtual event solutions bring clients has added new dimensions to Randall’s consulting solution set. Randall has more than 16 years of marketing services and communications experience. Prior to her role as a strategic meetings consultant, she served as a sales consultant with Maritz Interactions, where she developed and sold effective strategic communications, meeting event staging and production services. Before joining Maritz, Randall served as a senior account executive for PGI and Viaduct, where she developed and executed target marketing communications efforts. Randall also has held positions with ICE, Caribiner Communications and PMH.
For more information on Maritz Travel and Lynn Randall please visit Maritz Travel |
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Martin Schobert
CEO
tourismusdesign.com
Session: International Travel Forum
Martin Schobert was Head of Internet Strategy at the Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) and reported directly to the CEO. He joined ANTO in 1998, in these 12 years he hold different positions in marketing, PR and online-communications: During the last months he was leading the team “Internet Strategy”. Acting as a „think tank“ of the company and the Austrian industry. The department developed the online communication strategy for ANTO, a social web strategy for online activities of offices abroad and innovative ways of “online brand management” including SEO and SEM. He published two social web guidelines for the Austrian travel industry (German language) – download for free at ANTO’s knowledge-weblog for the travel industry http://blog.austriatourism.com. Before (from June 2007 to October 2009) he was leading the department of research & development. In this capacity he acted as CIO of the company and was responsible for the teams „Internet Strategy“, „Business Intelligence“, „IT Service & Support“ and „Tourism/Market Research“. Currently he is building up a consultancy called “tourismusdesign”. The start-up focus on the development of touristic products in travel areas and alpine sceneries, on optimization in service design of travel experiences and on coaching the travel industry in doing efficient communications to guests & partners (focus on storytelling & content, online-PR, social media design and usage of communication technologies).
For more informaiton on tourismusdesign.com and Martin Schobert please visit tourismusdesign.com
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Brian Silver
President & CEO
Travel Ad Network
Session: "Actionable Strategies for Tomorrow"
In March 2009, Brian Silver was named President and CEO of the Travel Ad Network (TAN), the leading vertical ad network in travel and the web’s largest travel information source in total audience with a global audience reach approaching 25 million. Since April 2008, he had served as President and Chief Operating Officer having joined TAN as Chief Operating Officer in November 2007. Under his direction TAN, in August 2009, passed Orbitz (the online travel agency – OTA) in reach in the US with 13.8 million unique users. This makes TAN the second largest travel property in the United States and third largest travel property in the world. Mr. Silver has extensive online advertising experience. He has served as COO for Did-it Search Marketing and as Vice President of Operations for IAC Advertising (the advertising solutions and sales division of Ask Jeeves, formerly AJinteractive). He also was Vice President & General Manager of Ask Jeeves’ holding MaxOnline, which he joined in 2002 after —as a strategic consultant—helping to facilitate the successful merger between DoubleClick Media and interactive advertising firm L90. Prior to MaxOnline, Mr. Silver served as Product Manager for NOVO Media Group (now Semaphore Partners) where he developed large-scale websites for A-list clients. Before his interactive career, Mr. Silver spent 11 years in operations management for manufacturing facilities.
For more information on the Travel Ad Network and Brian Silver please visit Travel Ad Network |
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Angie Smith
Manager, Global Sales Experience & Global Sales Operations
Cisco Systems
Session: Meetings & Events Forum
Angie Smith is Manager, Global Sales Experience and Global Sales Operations for Cisco Systems, where she leads a team that produces the annual Global Sales Meeting and most recently, evolved that key internal event into the now-virtual Global Sales Experience (GSX). A 15-year veteran of the event and experience marketing industry, she has experience in all facets of marketing campaign development and execution, including content strategy, attendee experience, technology integration and overall operational excellence. She is recognized by the industry and general business press for merging Web 2.0 and other technology-driven communication platforms into traditional event marketing programs and has been tapped by publications such as Event Marketer Magazine, BtoB Magazine, Special Events, Virtual Edge, Successful Meetings, 1:1 Magazine and other leading titles and analyst reports for her insight into this emerging best practice.
For more information on Cisco Systems and Angie Smith please visit Cisco Systems |
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Danielle Smith
Strategy & Client Development
Range Online Media
Session: International Travel Forum
As an industry leader, Range Online Media strives to provide its clients with the most current campaign strategies and tactics, which is why it created its Strategy and Client Development team in 2006, currently headed by Danielle Smith. Smith combines her expertise in third-party research tools with her extensive experience built in Range’s account teams to provide current and potential clients with actionable data and campaign-planning assistance. She is committed to keeping companies ahead of the curve, bringing them the latest in emerging technologies, international market opportunities and “next big thing” ideas. She is well-versed in vendor and client relations, with a focus on attribution, analytics, directional analysis and tactical campaign implementation. A graduate of University of Texas Arlington, Smith has worked at Range Online Media since its inception primarily as a senior account leader, directing campaigns primarily for luxury clients, in addition to several clients in other verticals, including Reliant Energy and Sundance Channel. Smith has been quoted in leading industry publications such as DMNews and is a contributor to Media Post’s OMMA Magazine. She has also spoken at Luxury Interactive NY and Luxury Interactive UK.
For more information on Range Online Media and Danielle Smith please visit Range Online Media. |
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Bill Tancer
General Manager, Global Research
Experian Hitwise
Session: Research Panel
Bill Tancer is the General Manager, Global Research at Hitwise. Bill brings 12+ years of marketing, market research and corporate strategy experience to Hitwise. As the GM for Global Research, he provides cutting-edge research and insight into online consumer behavior and the application of online competitive intelligence. Bill's analysis of the online landscape has been quoted extensively in the press, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today and Business Week. Bill is a frequent guest on CNBC, and has been interviewed on MSNBC, NPR, CNN Radio and CBS Radio. In addition to speaking at keynote events, Bill is the author of a weekly online column for TIME, "The Science of Search." He was also named Television Week's "12 to Watch" for 2008 and is currently on the advisory board for the PEW Internet and American Life Project. Prior to joining Hitwise, Bill has led market research and strategy teams at LookSmart, Zaplet, NBC Internet and Pacific Bell. Bill has also covered the Internet sector for Gartner Group as a senior technology marketplace consultant. Bill has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in Quantitative Management and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University.
For more information on Experian Hitwise and Bill Tancer please visit Experian Hitwise |
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Phuc Truong
Managing Director, U.S.
Mobext
Session: Mobile Marketing Session
Phuc Truong leads mobile marketing efforts in the US for Mobext / Havas Digital. He has been focused in mobile marketing since 2001 and is considered a leading pioneer in the industry. His mobile experience covers both branding and direct response campaigns for clients within retail, CPG, automotive and travel & hospitality. Prior to joining the Havas family, Phuc was a founding team member of MobileLime (now known as Modiv Media), one of the first U.S.-based companies to turn the mobile phone into a marketing, loyalty and payment device. There he played a vital role in developing the company sales and marketing strategy, formulating and executing on all facets of merchant and consumer acquisition from pilot to national launch. As a result of his leadership in part, MobileLime was able to secure financing rounds from leading venture capitalists. Prior to his current role, Phuc was responsible for driving growth and new business projects at Media Contacts. During his tenure in this position, Media Contacts experienced more than double digit growth in revenue (organic and new business), billings and staff. He also has several years of experience growing companies and is a proven entrepreneur in leading organizations from idea generation to national expansion. Phuc received an MBA from Babson College, and a BS from Bentley College.
For more information on Mobext and Phuc Truong please visit Mobext. |
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Paula Valentine
Senior Director, eCommerce
Choice Hotels International
Session: Hotel Executive Panel
Paula Valentine has responsibility for choicehotels.com, overseeing sitefunctionality and user experience, affiliate and search marketing and wireless reservations. In the hospitality industry for 25+ years, she has spent the last (nearly) seven years at Choice Hotels overseeing the company brand websites.
For more information on Choice Hotels International and Paula Valentine please visit Choice Hotels International |
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Rohit Verma, Ph.D.
Professor, Executive Directors for The Center for Hospitality Research
Cornell School of Hotel Administration
Session: Cornell Social Media Panel
Rohit Verma, Ph.D.Rohit Verma is a Professor of Service Operations Management at the School of Hotel Administration, and the Executive Director for the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR). His research interests include new product/service design, quality management and process improvement, and operations/marketing interrelated issues. He has published over 50 articles in prestigious business journals such as California Management Review, the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Decision Sciences, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of Service Research, MIT Sloan Management Review, Production and Operations Management, and other journals. His research has been supported by numerous well-respected organizations around the world, and he has received several awards including the "Skinner Award For Early Career Research Accomplishments" from the Production and Operations Management Society; "Spirit of Inquiry Award" the highest honor for scholarly activities within DePaul University; “Teaching Innovation Award” DePaul University; and “Doctoral faculty Teaching Award” University of Utah. He serves as the academic editor of the CHR’s Cornell Hospitality Quarterly; associate editor of Journal of Operations Management, Decision Sciences; senior editor of Production and Operations Management; and editorial board member of Journal of Service Research.
For more information on the Cornell School of Hotel Administration and Rohit Verma please visit Cornell School of Hotel Administration |
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Tracey Weber
President
Travelocity North America
Session: Online Travel Agency Executive Panel
Tracey Weber has no problem with the art of multi-tasking. As president of Travelocity North America, she is responsible for all aspects of Travelocity's business in the region. Weber, who is based in Travelocity's New York office, previously served as Travelocity's chief operating officer. As COO, she handled the day-to-day management of Travelocity's North American flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruise lines of business and its Vacation Package and Last Minute Package products. Additionally, Weber provided direction and strategic support for sales and customer care, business development, marketing and Travelocity.caSM. During her years with the company she has been deeply involved in a wide array of projects including the launch of Travelocity's dynamic packaging shopping engine as well as in the development of Travelocity's industry leading net rate hotel program, playing a key role in operations, content strategy and management. Weber came to Travelocity from Site59 when it was acquired in March 2002. She was a co-founder of Site59 and also served as that company's chief operating officer. Weber earned her master's of business administration from The Wharton School of Management and her bachelor's degree from Harvard University.
For more information on Travelocity and Tracey Weber please visit Travelocity |
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Jamie Wells
Director, Global Trade Marketing
Microsoft Mobile Advertising
Session: Mobile Media Session
Over the past decade Jamie Wells has built of wealth strategic marketing and business development expertise, holding key positions across mobile, interactive, experiential and traditional media-based marketing disciplines. As director of trade marketing, Jamie is responsible for defining Microsoft’s Mobile Advertising positioning within the mobile advertising industry, which includes developing innovative marketing and advertising programs and initiatives, leading Microsoft’s mobile advertising thought leadership efforts and crafting highly effective, cutting edge mobile solutions for advertisers and publishers.Before joining Microsoft, Jamie led the full service mobile advertising and marketing practice at OMD Worldwide, the largest Global Media Agency and a leader in digital marketing innovation, developing custom strategies and agency best practices that leveraged the mobile channel for all of OMD’s clients, while stewarding a culture of agency intelligence, innovation and best practices to help its clients remain on the bleeding edge of creative mobile advertising, media and analytics.
For more information on Microsoft Mobile Advertising and Jamie Wells please visit Microsoft Mobile Advertising |
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Dan Westbrook
Vice President, Supplier Development, The Americas
Travelport GDS
Session: GDS Panel
Dan Westbrook joined Travelport in April 2009 and currently serves as vice president, Supplier Development. In this role, Westbrook oversees Travelport’s relationships with supplier customers, including airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines and tour operators in The Americas region. Prior to joining Travelport, Westbrook served as vice president, Travel Merchandising for Sabre Holdings where he was responsible for the relationships and negotiations with leisure travel industry suppliers and for the sales and administration of GDS media. Previously, Westbrook spent nearly 20 years with American Airlines in a variety of roles including senior attorney, assistant corporate secretary, managing director of International Market Development, and nine years as the president of American Airlines Vacations. Westbrook earned a B. A. degree in Politics from Washington and Lee University. He also holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Washington and Lee University.
For more information on Travelport GDS and Dan Westbrook please visit Travelport GDS
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Dennis Woodside
Vice President, Americas Operations
Google, Inc.
Session: Opening Keynote Speaker
Dennis joined Google in 2003 and leads the company's North American and Latin American advertising sales and operations teams. Previously, he oversaw Google's sales and operations in the U.K., Benelux and Ireland. Prior to that, Dennis launched and ran Google's field operations in Central Europe, Russia, the Middle East and North Africa. He established offices in 10 countries including Egypt, Turkey, Russia and Israel. Additionally, he started the company's inside sales operation in Europe. Prior to joining Google, Dennis was an associate partner at McKinsey and Company, where he led operational and strategy projects for multinational clients in the technology and media industries. Earlier, he managed complex mergers and acquisitions in aerospace, energy, media and finance industries. He also served as law clerk to the Honorable Dennis G. Jacobs in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York.
Dennis received a J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he was associate editor of the Stanford Law Review, and holds a bachelor's degree in industrial relations from Cornell University.
For more information on Google and Dennis Woodside please visit Google |
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Leah Woolford
Founder & CEO
USDM.net
Session: "Actionable Strategies for Tomorrow"
Leah Woolford is a marketing and advertising visionary whose Internet career began in 1991. In the early nineties she developed first-to-market Internet strategies and business models for Fortune 500 companies in the Telecommunications, Travel, Hospitality, Real Estate and Public Sectors. In 1993 Woolford pioneered the successful online marketing strategies used by many travel marketing and advertising organizations today. She is founder and CEO of USDM.net. (www.usdm.net). Leah is also known for a record number of firsts in her field… breakthroughs in eCommerce for the travel industry, eCRM technologies, and developing the first search engine marketing protocols in collaboration with early search engine developers. She was quoted in the national press in 1995 having said, “the key to the Internet will be marketing” anyone can build a web site, but generating business and measuring ROI will be the key to success." As an Interactive strategy leader, Leah has spent nearly three decades challenging the boundaries of offline marketing while developing Internet best practices for the industry. Her company provides Interactive strategy, technology solutions, eCommerce, mCommerce and marketing and advertising services for more than 175 marquee travel brands in the U.S. and internationally. Leah is a sought after strategist, published author, engaging speaker, trusted board member and consultant to some of the world’s most notable travel brands, and enjoys a global network of colleagues in the industry.
For more information on USDM.net and Leah Woolford please visit USDM.net |
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Peter C. Yesawich
Chairman & CEO
Ypartnership
Session: Research Panel
Peter C. Yesawich is chairman and chief executive officer of Ypartnership, America’s leading marketing, advertising and public relations agency serving travel, leisure and lifestyle clients. The agency represents clients in every category of the travel industry through seven offices across the United States and Europe. Ypartnership is an integrated marketing communications company that is known for its strategic thinking, breakthrough creativity and innovation in marketing practice. The firm’s Research & Brand Strategy Group is also regarded as one of the most respected sources of insights on the emerging travel habits, preferences and intentions of Americans and coauthors the widely acclaimed National Travel MONITOR℠ survey with Yankelovich Partners. Yesawich is a frequent commentator on travel trends in such publications as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Newsweek and Business Week, on the CNN, CNBC and MSNBC cable television networks and on National Public Radio. He serves as a featured columnist in several industry trade publications and has authored numerous articles on marketing and advertising strategy in professional journals. He is also a coauthor of Marketing Leadership in Hospitality published by Prentice Hall. Listed in Who’s Who in America, Yesawich is the recipient of the World Travel Award from the American Association of Travel Editors, The Albert E. Koehl Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He was also named one of the 25 Most Extraordinary Marketing Minds by HSMAI and is a member of the board of directors of the Travel Industry Association of America. Yesawich received three degrees from Cornell, including a doctorate in applied psychology, and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Yale.
For more information on Ypartnership and Peter Yesawich please visit Ypartnership |
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Bob Zartarian
Director, Travel Services
Yale University
Session: Business Travel Forum
Prior to being hired by Yale University, Bob Zartarian spent 35 years in corporate America first working for a commercial airline in various capacities, and more recently managing corporate travel programs for Fortune 200 companies. Bob’s most recent corporate position was as Manager, Travel & Meeting Services for Ingersoll Rand, a diversified industrial manufacturer based in Davidson, NC. In May 2006 Ingersoll Rand awarded Bob “project manager of the month” for his contributions towards their Single Travel Agency project. Prior to that position, Bob was Director, Travel Services for Dana Corporation from 1998-2004 where he oversaw the consolidation of over 100 travel agencies servicing Dana’s decentralized culture. Dana, a global original equipment manufacturer, had purchased Echlin Inc where Bob had been employed since 1987 directing their travel program. At Echlin, a leader in the automotive aftermarket, Bob successfully centralized and consolidated the company’s transient, meeting and incentive travel and was then retained after the acquisition to merge his successful travel program into Dana’s domestic operations.
For more information on Yale University or Bob Zatarian please visit Yale University |
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Marc Johnson
Chief Marketing Officer, Experian Hitwise
Marc Johnson is the Chief Marketing Officer of Experian Hitwise, overseeing all global marketing, research and PR. Prior to Hitwise, he founded Storyline Development, a New York City based research and marketing consultancy. Marc previously served as an Executive Vice President and Advisor to BuzzMetrics (now a part of Nielsen Online). There he helped develop the first product, sales, and marketing plans. As Vice President of Product Development at the NPD Group, Marc created information products around convergence and the digital lifestyle for top consumer technology brands. Marc was part of the original management team at Jupiter Research, where he was Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategy, overseeing all product development as well as strategic PR and event programming. He was also Group Research Director at Jupiter and oversaw all digital media and marketing. Marc was a founding analyst of Jupiter's digital advertising research practice, where he developed the concept of Rational Branding and collaborated on the industry’s first online advertising forecasts and analysis. Prior to Jupiter, Marc was an advertising sales executive at Ziff-Davis and Meredith, working on many of the first online and multi-channel marketing campaigns. Marc’s insights have been featured in many major media outlets including CNN, CNBC, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Today Show, NPR, and Ad Age. He serves as an Advisor to Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC and GlanceGuide. He graduated cum laude with a BA from the University of New Hampshire.
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