ASTA Announces Debaters for Summit

Retail Travel Leadership Summit

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. October 14, 2008

ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 23, 2008. ASTA announced today the names of featured debaters and discussion leaders for "The Future of GDS - Who Will Pay" debate at its Retail Travel Leadership Summit. The summit will be held at this year's THETRADESHOW in Orlando, Sept. 8, from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The exclusive audience of senior level executives, select media and industry representatives will debate numerous topics including the future profitability of the travel industry, cruise lines and GDS, in addition to the economics of going green.

"ASTA is excited to have these individuals participate in the first-ever Retail Travel Leadership Summit. Their presence will greatly enhance this event," said William Maloney, CTC, ASTA executive vice president and COO. "This is not going to be your typical Q&A panel format; ASTA is bringing together a savvy group of travel professionals who will lead discussions and debates about challenging industry issues. I am confident we will all find many of the answers we've been looking for."

Participants on the "The Future of GDS - Who Will Pay" debate include Marc Rosenberg with Air Canada; Noreen Courtney-Wilds with Jetblue Airways; Chris Kroeger with Sabre Travel Network North American and Get There; and Flo Lugli with Travelport GDS. Mark Pestronk with the Law Office of Mark Pestronk, P.C., will serve as the discussion leader.

Marc Rosenberg, vice president of sales and distribution, has held more than a dozen positions with Air Canada since joining the airline in 1967 and represents the airline on numerous industry venues including the Canadian Tourism Commission as Chair of the U.S. Marketing Committee. Noreen Courtney-Wilds is vice president of sales for JetBlue Airways; she is responsible for all sales and business development initiatives including corporate and leisure sales, regional marketing, distribution planning, core and ancillary sales programs and JetBlue Getaways.

Chris Kroeger, senior vice president for Sabre Travel Network North America and GetThere, is responsible for sales, account management, and customer service for Sabre Travel Network's North America division. Flo Lugli is senior vice president, commercial for Travelport GDS and is responsible for the Travelport GDS business in the Americas region, as well as global hotel, car rental, and commercial operations for the company. Mark Pestronk is engaged in the private practice of law with the Law Offices of Mark Pestronk, P.C., The Travel Law Office, in Washington, DC. Pestronk has 34 years experience in representing travel companies in industry-related matters.

After the debates, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a renowned political speaker who will give insight into the 2008 presidential election, courtesy of Auto Europe/Destination Europe; lunch will also be provided.

For additional information on ASTA's Retail Travel Leadership Summit, please visit ASTA.org or contact Robin Costanza at [email protected]. The cost to register is $295 before July 1 and $395 thereafter.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.