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This week in Opportunities:

Industry Leaders Address Recession's Impact on Business Travel
Survey Finds 75 Percent of Consumers Will Get Away This Winter
Opportunities Networking!
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS

Industry Leaders Address Recession's Impact on Business Travel

Travel industry executives representing Best Western International, Southwest Airlines and MasterCard Worldwide recently convened for the third annual Business Travel Summit for a discussion of the recession's impact on business travel. The roundtable, moderated by business travel expert Chris McGinnis, also provided tips for companies and individual business travelers to reign in expenses in a down economy. According to Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western, though business travelers are employing a number of techniques to control costs and reduce spending, they are opting for shorter trips rather than canceling travel across the board. In addition, more companies are looking to mid-market hotels for corporate travel to streamline costs, where chains including Best Western incorporate all-inclusive pricing. "Business travelers who have been nickel and dimed at upscale and luxury hotels for amenities such as Internet access, breakfast and parking are now coming through our doors more than ever before," Dowling said.

Travel brands are using the economic slowdown to grow business-to-business relationships in an effort to provide new value-added services to their customers. Southwest Airlines and Best Western recently announced a partnership that provides Best Western Rewards members the opportunity to earn Rapid Rewards credits for each qualifying hotel stay. "Our partnership with Best Western comes at an ideal time for travelers eager to control spending while still hitting the road to maintain personal relationships with their clients," said Linda Rutherford, vice president of communications and strategic outreach for Southwest Airlines. Rutherford said Southwest's corporate booking tool SWABIZ continues to attract business travelers. SWABIZ offers tools that help road warriors plan, book and purchase business travel.

George Zilvetti, vice president, co-brand development for MasterCard Worldwide, said even though the weak economy has led to a smaller number of people to view business trips as perk-filled experiences, several simple steps will be taken to minimize inconveniences. "Small business travelers can reduce costs and receive perks such as rental car upgrades and cash back for purchases, while also eliminating certain fees for checked bags that some airlines have implemented," he said. "Some of these cards also provide the technology which eases the expense management process, thereby giving travel managers better control over their employees' expenses."

According to representatives, business travelers are taking advantage of loyalty programs and associated benefits allowing them to take business trips that might have otherwise been cancelled. Best Western has tracked record numbers of loyalty point redemption in the past several months, with a 23 percent year-over-year increase in 2008. Free night award redemption jumped to a 36 percent year-over-year increase during December 2008 and January 2009 alone.

Survey Finds 75 Percent of Consumers Will Get Away This Winter

Winter getaways are getting a chilly reception from cash-strapped consumers worried about job security, the economy and shrinking savings. The travel industry has responded with deals for winter, spring and beyond. A recent survey conducted by Kayak.com found that price trumps location in prospective travelers' minds. The survey's most telling statistics found the following:

• 76 percent of respondents plan to travel this winter
• 50 percent said the credit crunch is biting into their winter travel plans and will result in fewer trips this winter
• 77 percent of people will look at price and value as the biggest factors in deciding whether to take a winter getaway
• In order to enjoy some vacation time, survey respondents are considering several cost saving tactics. The most popular tactics mentioned include:
  • Opting for domestic travel destinations over those abroad
  • Taking advantage of off-season pricing
  • Choosing a destination that offers a free place to stay.

"People are still interested in traveling over the coming months, but we've seen they're spending more time searching, comparing and discussing vacation decisions with traveling companions," Brian Harniman, Kayak.com EVP of marketing and distribution said. "The good news is that deals on winter and spring getaways are more plentiful than we've seen in recent years. Airlines are launching winter fare sales that are lasting through spring. Hotels are lowering prices and adding value components such as free nights and vouchers for entertainment and dining."

OPPORTUNITIES NETWORKING!

Events 2012 & Beyond Conference Program Announced

The program for the forthcoming Events 2012 & Beyond conference has been announced, and includes sessions on Managing Expectations, Sponsors, Media, Corporate Hospitality and Supply Chain. Breakfast Television Presenter, Bill Turnbull, has also been announced as the conference anchor. In addition to speakers from Visit London, VisitBritain and the LDA, other conference speakers include Dan Ritterband -- director of marketing to Boris Johnson, Barrie Howard -- VP global sponsorship, Visa International, Daryl Jelinek -- general manager -- London 2012 Olympics, Coca Cola, Jeroen De Roever -- manager international sports strategy, ATP, Mark England -- director of Olympic operations, British Olympic Association, David Stubbs -- head of sustainability, LOCOG, Mike Mulvey -- chief executive, London Business Network, Paul Bush -- CEO, Event Scotland and David Magilano --marketing director, England 2018. David Sharpe, Head of the Events 2012 Development Group said: "This is a hugely impressive line up of speakers and will deliver exactly what we promised the industry; practical advice on what to expect from the games and how to maximize the opportunities that they present." Events 2012 & Beyond takes place on the first day of International Confex, Tuesday 24th February 2009, at the Earls Court Conference Centre, London. Delegates can register for places now by visiting www.events2012andbeyond.com.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

AIRLINES: SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., is pleased to name Joe Sigg director of aircraft spares. Sigg replaces Todd Wilkinson, who has taken a new role at SkyWest's sister carrier, Atlantic Southeast Airlines. In his new role, Sigg will be responsible for the procurement and distribution of all aircraft parts throughout SkyWest's system, as well as working with maintenance vendors, maintaining the inventory of all parts and materials, managing parts accounts/budgets and ensuring that all parts meet FAA regulations as well as SkyWest's high standard of excellence. Sigg will oversee approximately 150 employees throughout the SkyWest system. Sigg began his SkyWest career in 1991 as a Level II aircraft mechanic at the airline's Palm Springs location. Since then, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including chief inspector and manager of quality control. Sigg previously served in the U.S. Army and later as an Air Traffic Control operator.

HOTELS & RESORTS: Thayer Lodging Group has announced that Jin Lee has joined the company as a managing director and will serve as its chief investment officer. In his new role, he will be responsible for sourcing, due diligence, negotiating and structuring transactions. Prior to joining Thayer Lodging Group, Lee was senior vice president of acquisitions and development at HEI Hotels & Resorts, where he was involved in $1.5 billion of transactions, personally closing on $500 million in acquisitions. Previously, he served as vice president of acquisitions and development at Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group. Before that, he served as director of development planning and feasibility at Marriott International and vice president at HVS International. Lee is a graduate of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and has an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Cornell Hotel Society. Lee will fill the role formerly held by Bill Reynolds who remains an advisory director and will maintain an advisory role with the company... Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. has announced the appointment of Michael J. Quinn as Director of Sales & Marketing for both the Sheraton Reston and the Westin Reston Heights hotels. The Sheraton Reston is located in suburban Virginia minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport. Crestline Hotels & Resorts manages the properties for the owner, The JBG Companies of Chevy Chase, MD. Quinn joins Crestline from Dolce Hotels International where he was Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. He brings more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience in sales and marketing to his new position having also held executive positions with Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Mirage Resorts and Doubletree Hotels Corporation. Quinn holds a B.A. in Communications from California State University. He has been recognized with multiple industry awards including several from HSMA recognizing his advertising and marketing achievements... Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the appointment of Eva Ziegler as Global Brand Leader for W Hotels Worldwide. In her new role, Vienna-born Ziegler will be responsible for leading the global development and growth strategy for the innovative and category-busting W Hotels Worldwide. With 10 years of proven success, largely in North America, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011, assuming its role on the global stage with properties scheduled to open in primary, vibrant international markets from Paris to Milan, Barcelona to London, Santiago to Vieques Island, Dubai to Doha, Hollywood to South Beach, and Shanghai to Bali. In addition to overseeing the global launch of W Hotels, Ziegler will continue in her role leading Le Méridien as the brand continues its re-launch globally. As Global Brand Leader for the two contemporary design-led brands, Ziegler will define the vision and brand strategy across all disciplines. Prior to this appointment, Ziegler held the role of Global Brand Leader of Le Méridien, where she was responsible for defining the vision and brand strategy across all disciplines for the renowned international brand. Under Ziegler’s vision, Le Méridien has re-positioned itself as a cultural hub for the creative mind leading to a range of innovative approaches and strategies. For example, she developed an innovative strategy through curated experiences by engaging a Cultural Curator and forming a group of cultural innovators, called LM100, each of whom define and enrich the guest experience. Since joining the company in 2005, Ziegler has played an important role in successfully integrating Le Méridien into Starwood’s process and systems, resulting in impressive performance figures. In fact, Le Méridien’s integration into Starwood’s larger, stable, multi-branded hotel system has enabled the brand to thrive. A critical milestone in Le Meridien’s transformation has been the consolidation and renovation of the brand’s portfolio. Since Starwood acquired the brand, Le Méridien has eliminated more than 30 hotels, and by 2011, will have renovated more than 50 percent of its existing portfolio. The brand also plans to open more than 20 hotels and resorts across the world within the next three years. All of this will result in a high-quality, on brand portfolio. Before joining Starwood, Ziegler was the Director of Le Rendez-Vous Toyota and played a leading role in developing and launching the cutting edge European Brand Experience Center on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, France. She has spent her career working for international Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola and Saatchi & Saatchi. Ziegler earned her degree from the University of Economics Vienna, Austria.

TRAVEL TECH: Kayak.com, the world's largest travel search site, has announced the appointment of Giorgos Zacharia as Chief Scientist. Zacharia, who has a Ph.D. in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will apply his expertise in predictive modeling and machine learning to improve speed, personalization and general efficiency across all Kayak.com brands. Zacharia will be based in the company's engineering headquarters in Concord, Mass. Zacharia previously served as co-founder, CTO and CSO of Open Ratings, Inc., a leading provider of supply risk management solutions. Zacharia was also instrumental in co-founding two machine learning-driven hedge funds, Stocknomics Ltd. and Emporics Capital Management, LLC. He is a Fulbright Scholar, holds four math and computer science degrees from MIT and has won five medals in International Mathematical and Physics Olympiads.

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