Thursday 15 May 2008
Opening General Session, 9:30-10:30
Charles J. Petruccelli
President, Global Travel Services
American Express
The "Crossroads" theme is designed to put the industry into a larger context. Where have we been? Where are we heading? What are the key indicators of change? What will be the "gamechanging" technologies and business models? Charles Petruccelli, President, American Express Global Travel Services offered his perspective on the travel industry drivers —from globalisation,industry consolidation and de-regulation—to the current economic cycle and the role of Europe in the global economy. He also shared his views on value creation, innovation, leadership and human capital management, including what it takes to run a company that must always grow and change.
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Thursday 15 May 2008
Luncheon General Session, 13:45-15:30
Dale Moss
Managing Director
OpenSkies
Open Skies
The so-called “open skies” agreement between the U.S. and EU, ends three decades of political wrangling and promises a new wave of changes in the aviation business. Proponents of this historic treaty expect healthy competition, jobs and economic growth. There is little consensus, however, about whether increased competition for the $18 billion transatlantic market will have any effect on fares. Beyond pricing, there are numerous other implications for routes, schedules, service offerings, ownership and airline alliances. Dale Moss, Managing Director of British Airways’ new subsidiary carrier, OpenSkies, offered a lively perspective on the future of aviation from the unique vantage point of a start up carrier working to establish itself in this fiercely competitive environment.
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Friday 16 May 2008
9:00 – 10:00
Content Aggravation in Europe
One of the perennial challenges of travel management is the ability to source full travel content both affordably and efficiently. While the issue is global in scope, the challenges for Europe are especially daunting given the fractured nature of the market i.e. significant LCC, hotel and rail content does not reside in the GDSs. The rise of the Internet has both mitigated and exacerbated the problem--offering lower cost transaction fees while at the same time increasing fragmentation in terms of channels and offerings. This provocative session put the key solution providers in the market side-by-side to discuss their different approaches, technologies and future strategies.
Friday 16 May 2008
13:45-14:30
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Nigel Barlow
Author, Strategic Coach and Consultant,
Service Legends Ltd and the Re-Think Project
Re-Think
In an increasingly complex, connected and competitive business environment, "innovation" has become the new "capital" in the minds of a growing number of business, governement and academic leaders. To innovate or re-think is the ability to see a fresh, different or better solution to any problem. Whether it's differentiating yourself in a crowded marketplace, accelerating a key project, attracting and retaining talent or radically improving the customer experience -- re-think will help you and your business survive -- and thrive. After all, thinking is the one function that can't be easily outsourced. |