Glenn Fogel from Priceline, SVP of Lodging for Expedia and CMO from Orbitz to Speak at the Travel Di

. July 01, 2009

JULY 2, 2009 - EyeforTravel's Travel Distribution Summit has traditionally included senior speakers from the major online agencies, and this year is no different. Being held on September 16-17 at the Westin in Chicago, this senior-level event sees representatives from the largest online agencies convene to discuss crucial distribution trends. Speakers include Glenn Fogel, EVP, Priceline, Jeff Davidoff, CMO, Orbitz and Matthew Crummack, SVP Lodging for Expedia. Their presence completes the holistic mix of hotels, GDSs, search engines and airlines which make up the speaker roster for the Travel Distribution Summit. For a full list of speakers, scroll down.

Between them, Orbitz, Expedia and Priceline dominate the travel landscape. But how long will this dominance remain unchallenged? And how are they adapting to survive in the changing world of online travel? The Travel Distribution Summit provides a unique chance to hear from these market leaders - people who have their hands firmly on the wheel and whose ideas and strategies are truly shaping the future of the travel industry.

To request a PDF will full conference information click here: http://events.eyefortravel.com/tdsusa/travel-distribution/more-information-logix.asp

Jeff Davdioff, CMO, Orbitz and Matthew Crummack, SVP Lodging for Expedia will feature on the opening session of the Summit, focusing on the balance of power between suppliers and OTAs. Faced with an economic downturn, the online agencies are locked in a price war. By cutting fees and adding new customer tools to their armoury, they are fiercely competing for their share of the pie. Meanwhile, suppliers are discounting prices on their own websites and pushing the benefits of buying direct. So what's planned for the future? And how's the landscape likely to pan out? Will we seeing the OTAs become more supplier-centric? And how are they reacting to changes in consumer behavior?

Expedia and Orbitz will be joined in this discussion by Julie Atkinson, Sr. Director Global Online Sales and Distribution for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, who will be offering a supplier perceptive. And Ashwin Kamlani, CEO of newly-launched company AboutAnywhere.com, the world's first commission free online distribution model for the hotel industry. This opening session is always a favorite with the Summit delegates and provides a valuable update on travel distribution trends.

On the second day of the conference, Glenn Fogel, EVP from Priceline, a highly entertaining and inspirational speaker, will give a keynote presentation on the latest distribution trends. He will be discussing the future of the traditional OTA transaction revenue model. With self-imposed fee cuts and suppliers wanting to cut commissions, will the OTA transaction model survive long-term? And does this shift provide opportunities for smaller firms to better compete against the giants?

Fogel will also focus on how travel companies, from suppliers to agencies to tourist boards, can take advantage of rocketing social media usage. How can travel organizations remain relevant in the social conversation and provide value? And who will be the winners in sorting, filtering, and ranking information to guide customers through a data overload?

In addition to the presentations from major OTAs, the agenda will also look at growth and consolidation in the vacation rental market. Again, both the suppliers and distributors will be represented. Speakers include the VP Sales for Extended Stay Hotels, VP Marketing, Endless Vacation Rentals, the CEO of Zonder, and the Co-Founder of HomeAway

The vacation rental market has previously been hampered by lack of brand awareness, minimum stay restrictions and hefty deposits. But they are now becoming a true force in the online travel arena, and the sector is predicted to be worth $4.1 billion by next year. So what key factors are driving - and inhibiting growth - in the vacation rental market? And how is this sector responding to economic factors and changes in customer booking patterns?

For more information on the Travel Distribution Summit, including a full agenda and a list of speakers click here: http://events.eyefortravel.com/tdsusa/travel-distribution

Contact:

Helen Raff

VP North America

EyeforTravel

+44 (0) 207 375 7582 (UK)

[email protected]

Confirmed Speakers:

Matthew Crummack, SVP Lodging, Expedia

Julie Atkinson, Sr. Director Global Online Sales and Distribution, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Scott Hyden, President, STA Travel

Virginia Suliman, VP Web Design and Development, Hilton Hotels Corporation

Anil Aggarwal, CEO, MileStone Internet Marketing