Group Committee - Co-Chairs: Scott Harness, Group Travel Planet and David O'Donohoe, StarCite

The committee will continue it's view into the current state of technology in the on-line group meetings marketplace, assess readiness for the deployment of an online group marketing strategy and explore the implications of revenue management as part of a hotel supplier strategy.

Board Liaison: Edward Perry, WORLDHOTELS

Payment Technologies Committee - Chair: Patrick Glories, MoneyDirect

Is the collection of no-show and cancellation fees using credit cards not physically in the reservation team’s possession really impacting business? Is it a challenge in itself or is the real problem more around appropriate processes and technologies to guarantee / secure bookings or to collect pre-payments? Come and share our findings since the last meeting in this area and our proposals for a way forward.

We will also take the opportunity to make sure we make the most of the extended scope of the Committee and agree on which avenues we want to explore next; alternative payment methods, bill-back processes, management of pre-payment. Attend this committee meeting and make sure your voice is heard now.

Kim Priez, Vice President of Tourism, New Orleans CVB

UGI Committee Meeting - Co-Chairs: Laury Anne Behrens, WPS and Scott Gillespie, TRX

This initiative is exploring the adoption of a unique global identifier within our industry and will be presenting the details of a study hot off the press that reviews past attempts of similar initiatives, outlines key elements required to succeed and evaluates different business models that could support such a solution. Following the update a planning session will be launched to outline next steps.

Board Liaison; Tiffany Topcik, HEDNA President and Valerie Cooper, HEDNA Staff

Tour Committee - Co-Chairs: Eric Barber, Realstar Hospitality and Nancy Little, InterContinental Hotels Group

The tour Committee has just finished two exciting presentations, speaking at both USTOA and ETOA, to present them with an educatioinal presentation of connectivity, automation and how this can bebefit them.
The Committee is also in process of producing a white paper geared to Tour Operators to provide a comprehensive resource on the fundamentals of automation and how it can benefit them.

This is an ideal time to get involved as the committee has engaged the tour operator community and progress continues to take place in this segment.

Board Liaison: Linda Kent, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Emerging Issues Committee - Chair: Duane Overgaard, Sabre Travel Network
Board Liaison: Duane Overgaard, Sabre Travel Network

Be involved in bringing emerging issues forward and help shape the solution. Currently, the Committee is addressing green hotels, discussing ways to identify (not rank) them and considering differentiating green hotels in creating standards for electronic distribution. Come be a part of the discussion and resolution on this highly visible topic.

Cindy Goodrich, Senior Marketing Manager, Travel, Google, Inc. Do you Google?

Can you imagine life without Google? The answer for most is probably not. Google has changed the way we search for and book travel online. Google has become a predominant non-traditional distribution channel. How has “Googling” affected the travel industry and what other industry changing initiatives will we find in the future? How will it impact the future of travel? Cindy Goodrich of Google speaks about the Google Effect within travel.