A top-level panel kicks off the WIT Ideas Lab. After a year of "tough love", what's changed, and what are the changes that are here to stay? And what will industry players have to do to keep up with a market that's changing faster than we can say "Speed" and a customer who's changing faster than we can say "Price"? 

• Mike Bezer, Vice President, Global Sales, Asia Pacific, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
• Lim Neo Chian, Board Member, Singapore Cruise Centre
• Steffen Weidemann, CEO, IFH, Institute for Hospitality Management
• Ray Stone, Senior Advisor Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific, Accor
  

No market is changing our industry more than the Chinese outbound market. From Singapore to Siem Reap, the Chinese travellers are making their presence felt. Are we prepared? Do we know how to engage with the new Chinese travellers? This panel will look at the latest trends and new customer segments emerging and what you can do to reach these customers.

• Jens Thraenhart, President, Chameleon Strategies, Inc. and Co-Founder/ Executive Partner & Chief Strategist, Dragon Trail, China
• Bobby Ong, Regional VP Sales & Marketing - China, Kempinski Hotels S.A.
• Hao Wu, General Manager, Daodao (TripAdvisor China)
• Mildred Cheong, Director, Channel Management, China, Abacus International, Singapore

Moderator: William Bao Bean, Managing Partner, Softbank China & India Holdings, China/Hong Kong

There were those who were quick to sound the death knell for luxury travel. But it appears the premium customers are back. The difference though is, they may be looking for a new form of luxury. Or are they? This panel will look at the rebound of the luxury market and what these new travellers are looking for.

• Paul Kerr, CEO, Small Luxury Hotels of the World
• Brian Yim, Editor, Millionaire Asia
• Andrew Dixon, Owner, Nikoi Island & Bawah Island, Indonesia
• Kevin May, Editor, TNooz

"Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

An energizing start to the morning as Bruce Hancock of Passion Plus takes us through the paces of what it means to tap into your core energy to unleash the passion within you to create, and achieve, goals. Energy is the foundation for success and passion is the fuel for inspiration – this session will bring the two together.
 

A one-on-one interview with Michael Issenberg, chief executive of a hotel company that's fast expanding in the region, with a multi-brand portfolio that stretches from the far corners of China to the deeper reaches of Indonesia. What are the challenges in growing such a company at such a time and what are the new Asian customers looking for in hotel products and services?

It used to be so easy. We had customers who wanted Sun, Sand and Sea and we sold them resort stays out of brochures and catalogues. Today, the Web and new tools have opened up new channels by which our customers can search, shop and buy our products and services. And worse, they no longer believe us, they now believe their friends more. How do you make sure you are found in the crowded, confusing, cluttered Web and how do you ensure people talk about you favourably? This session will share insights about Social Media, Search & other stuff that the Web is made up of.

• Timothy Hughes, Vice President Commercial, Orbitz Worldwide and HotelClub
• Morris Sim, CEO & Co-Founder, Circos Brand Karma
• Brett Henry, Vice-President, Marketing and Vice-President, India, Abacus International

If you can't be big, stay small. And even if you are big, you can still find your niches and grow that way. This panel will focus on the specialists and those who have built successful businesses out of sticking to something they're good at or becoming good at what they've identified as opportunity segments.

• Wee Hee Ling, CEO, Commonwealth Tourism Holdings, Singapore
• Sameer Poonja, Director E-Commerce & Partner Marketing, Exotissimo Travel Group, Thailand
• Nick Ray, Hanuman Travel, Cambodia
• Patrick Lai, Travel Industry Watcher, formerly Abacus International