Sponsored Workshops
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Industry leaders will present educational and dynamic content, covering a variety of the hottest topics for the travel marketplace.
Workshops allow attendees to immerse themselves in an intimate,
interactive environment in which to learn and hone their skills. (Attendees will be notified by email when registration is open for Workshops). Workshops are included in all ticket packages.
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING A WORKSHOP?
Learn more>>
Contact Cathy Plummer: cplummer@phocuswright.com or +1 860 350-4084 x260.
2008 Workshops
To view the Workshop schedule and speakers, go to the CONFERENCE PROGRAM.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION IS LIVE
>>HOW TO REGISTER<<
Green Travel
Presented by Advantage Rent-A-Car, BeGreeen (a division of Green Mountain Energy Company), HSMAI Foundation, InterContinental Hotels Group Plc, Sustainable Travel International
Industry leaders explore current and
and future issues related to green travel. Be the first to hear high level findings from PhoCusWright’s in-depth study, Going Green: The Business Impact of Environmental Awareness on Travel, in this interactive session. Discussion will include top-of-mind topics:
- Reducing environmental impact (waste, energy, etc.).
- Incorporating green into the brand identity.
- Is the state of the economy making green less, or more of a priority?
- Successful monetization (either cost savings or additional revenue).
- Are suppliers ready to go beyond baby steps, and are the benefits worth the cost?
- Would green minded consumers be willing to pay higher premiums for green travel products?
- Does the lack of an established industry standard reduce the legitimacy (and effectiveness) of true green efforts?
- Understand the scope of the green strategy that companies are undertaking (e.g., geography, market segmentation).
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this study and/or a Workshop presenter, please contact Bruce Rosard at +1 860 350-4084 x375 or via email.
Vacation Rentals: Gunning for the Online Hotel Shopper (and the $100B Hotel Market)
Presented by Endless Vacation Rentals, Flipkey, HomeAway, LeisureLink, USDM.net and VacationRoost.com
Online agencies take notice, hotels watch out, online travelers…get ready for an upgrade! The vacation rental marketplace is gearing up to go after all of you. This very fragmented frontier of online travel could well be tomorrow’s growth opportunity. Vacation rentals represent a rich landscape of property management companies and individual homeowners with low online penetration but plenty of ambition. Say goodbye to one-week minimum stays, hefty deposits and BYOB (“bring your own bedsheets”). Today’s innovative vacation rental players, no longer content with their $20B plus market, are starting to think, market and distribute like hotels. And several new technologies and online services have emerged to turn that ambition into bona fide business. Sound interesting? If you are involved in lodging, online marketing, or travel distribution, it should…
Search Data—It’s Not Just for Search Marketing Anymore
Presented by Hitwise Inc.
As economic conditions put more and more pressure on the travel industry, search term research becomes critical in creating efficient SEO and SEM campaigns. Did you know that search term data can also be used to build your content, improve your affiliate programs, optimize your media plans and even manage your brand? Don't let your competitors find out how before you do. This University Live session will discuss how to identify and take advantage of search findings to help drive marketing initiatives and content development:
- Maximize your marketing budget
- Discover new and relevant content
- Protect your brand
The State of Travel Investment in a Turbulent Financial Climate
Presented by Hudson Crossing
In December of 2007, Hudson Crossing predicted that investment within the travel sector would remain strong despite the prospect of a challenging credit climate ahead. As expected, 2008 has proven to be a strong year for investments in the travel sector with 30 deals closed ranging from $3M to $100M. A recent survey by Hudson Crossing of the venture capital and private equity community indicates that despite the challenging credit environment, investors remain bullish about the long-term prospects of travel as an investment category. Hudson Crossing reveals its 2009 predictions and highlights strategies leaders in travel should consider as part of their FY 2009 strategic plan.
The NEXTgen Traveler
Presented by PhoCusWright Inc.
Get the facts from the industry's leading authority on how travelers, suppliers and intermediaries connect as we describe the unique attributes of "Next Generation" travelers. A new report co-published by PhoCusWright and Ypartnership reveals that emerging technology has reinvented the manner in which travel companies bring their products and services to the marketplace and has a profound effect on the behavior of those who use it. NEXTgen travelers are active users of the latest computer, entertainment or consumer technology, and who took at least one overnight trip requiring the use of commercial accommodations during the previous 12 months. Key findings from the study that will assist travel industry sales and marketing executives in their efforts to understand, reach and convert the next generation traveler will also be presented.
Managing Online Customer Experience MUST be a Top Corporate Priority
Presented by TeaLeaf
The “Survey of Online Customer Behavior” conducted by Harris Interactive in August 2008 revealed a high level of consumer intolerance for e-commerce service failures and the “double threat” that these failures potentially represent to online businesses. This survey illustrates an alarming rate of Web site issues—with nine out of 10 consumers experiencing difficulties online. Between Web site glitches and bad customer service, an estimated $50 billion in potential consumer transactions are at risk throughout the remainder of this decade, in just the retail and travel industries alone. While many companies believe they are delivering adequate online experiences, their customers are in pain. Tealeaf and Continental Airlines discuss why Online Customer Experience should be a top corporate priority and how visibility, insight and answers can positively affect your online business and customer loyalty.
The PhoCusWright Bloggers Summit Workshop
Presented by Tips From The T-List 
Veteran travel industry bloggers are brought together to share their expertise and provide real world examples about the current and future trends driving blogging and user-generated content. Topics include the fragmentation and consolidation taking place within social media, what you have to know about cross-platform social technologies, why you need to pay attention to Twitter and other mobile applications and how to harness these latest trends to maximize impact on your SEO. Case studies expose why marketing professionals must include these strategies in their overall marketing mix to protect their brand and corporate identities online, and provide best practices that lead to success.
Mobile and Its Role in the Travel Experience
Presented by Travel Channel
The mobile device has reached ubiquity throughout much of the developed world and has become the item that most travel consumers refuse to leave at home. With the accelerating deployment of wireless broadband services and mobile devices that deliver rich user experiences, consumers now have access to information and entertainment, anytime, anywhere. Naturally, this trend has implications for the travel industry, as the mobile device provides the opportunity to connect travelers with services and content while traveling. Hear from executives at some of today’s most innovative players in the mobile ecosystem on their experiences and perspectives on how this emerging platform will impact the landscape of the travel industry.
- Learn about the latest advancements and trends in mobile technology that are opening the door for mobile travel services.
- Discover what role mobile social networking and content play in mobile travel services.
- Understand consumer attitudes toward payment for mobile travel services.
- Identify the biggest challenges and opportunities for the travel industry and mobile services.
- Examine examples of successful travel-related mobile services available today.
Understanding Today’s Digital Marketing Landscape: Making the Most of Your Online Marketing Budget
Presented by Yahoo! and comScore
From display advertising and search marketing, to emerging marketing vehicles like mobile, video and new targeting tools, the digital marketing 
landscape is more complex and important than ever. Please join Yahoo, comScore and a panel of travel industry marketing experts as they help you to understand your online marketing options and optimize your online marketing efforts in today’s complex marketing environment.
