Travel distribution takes centre stage
The three-day European Travel Distribution Summit takes place next week, with a dense programme and an encyclopaedic list of speakers that reads like a “who’s who of travel”, including EasyJet’s founder, Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
The summit covers three days including debates, an exhibition and of course, networking. The first two days is the travel distribution conference that offers presentations from Opodo chief executive, David Scowsill, and BMIBaby commercial director, David Byron among others. A panel debate including these two speakers and more will also take place on the first day, entitled: “The Distribution Dilemma – how big can direct distribution get?”.
The day also has debates focussing on online marketing and branding strategies and XML and web services. Chairman of the debates is Genesys senior partner, Paul Richer.
On the second day ebookers chairman Dinesh Dhamija will discuss the conversion of companies to online players, and British Airways head of e-commerce, Simon Parks-Smith tackles the issue of “putting the customer in control” through the internet. Other speakers include Ryanair UK head of sales Sinead Finn and OTC executive director, Vic Darvey.
The second day deals with revenue management and pricing in travel and the third day with mobile technology for the travel industry.
The event costs £495 (+VAT) for a one day pass (18 or 19 May), £895 (+VAT) for two days (17 and 18 May) and £1195 (+VAT) for all three days. To register go to the website, email [email protected] or call 020 7375 7597. It takes place at the Paragon Hotel and Expo Suite in London.
There are a series of free interactive workshops set up online for those that can’t attend. They will run on May 18 and 19 and are accessible via www.eyefortravel.com/summit2004.
Ginny McGrath
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