WIT 2008 THEME: IDEAS, EXECUTION, ACTION
Travel on the brink of change? Forget that. Travel is deep in the throes of change. And to thrive in this turbulence of change, transformation is needed at every level - from individual mindsets to business models to management styles.
For transformation to happen, the right idea has to come together with the right execution to produce the right action.
This year's WIT-Web In Travel will explore and tackle the idea of transformation. What is needed for transformation to happen? What are the obstacles to transformation, and how can they be tackled? What are the good ideas out there that have been executed well and have produced good results? What are the new technologies out there that will enable transformation?
DAY ONE, OCT 21, 2008Auditorium, Level 2, Suntec Convention Centre | |
|---|---|
| 7.15-8.15 | Signing In |
| 8.15-8.55 | Coffee & Mix & Match, brought to you by Amadeus Asia |
| 9.00-9.10 | Setting The Stage for Transformation |
| 9.10-9.40 | Face to Face: KP Ho, Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings
As a journalist, he was put behind bars for his words. As a backpacking traveler, he saw the world with young, idealistic eyes. Today, KP Ho is one of Asia’s most respected businessmen and sits on the board of several Singapore blue-chip companies. Beyond the personal transformation, he also transformed his family business from a manufacturing-based company to one that now owns one of the best-known brands in resorts, hospitality and lifestyle. KP knew the future did not lie in making things, but in making dreams come true. In this one-on-one with Yeoh Siew Hoon, KP will share his story, lessons, experiences and ideas. |
| 9.40-10.00 | The Travel Matrix, Revisited Jim Donnelly, Pursuit Group Charlotte, US
Two years ago, he spoke at WIT about The Travel Matrix, one in which social networking and communities were disrupting the status quo. This time round, Jim Donnelly, founder of igougo, will share his insights about where the Internet is headed and what are the big ideas out there that could transform the online travel landscape. Followed by Q&A |
| 10.00-10.15 | Killer Idea 1: Be Inspired - Ten Ideas To Get You Thinking Karthik Siva, Chairman, Global Brand Forum
The creator of the Global Brand Forum, Karthik Siva, who has met some of the world’s most inspiring leaders will share 10 ideas that will get you thinking differently about yourself, your business, your brand, your life, even. |
| 10.15-10.45 | Break |
| 10.45-11.30 | The Web Landscape, Transformed Introduction/Moderator: Philip Wolf, President & CEO, PhoCusWright Inc Online Travel: Mature and transforming all at the same time - an examination of the forces at work in the online travel market and the constant growth of the mature players and the insatiable innovative spirit of the start-ups by one of the industry’s most respected bloggers. No one knows the Asia Pacific online travel landscape like this man. He’s watched it grow, he’s tracked the trends and he’s analysed the stories behind the trends. In this session, Ram Badrinathan will do a review of the market and share his insights as to why some companies have succeeded while others have failed, and what are the lessons for all of us? |
| 11.30-12.00 | The Asian Consumer: Constant Transformation
Get the latest insights into the Asian consumer travelling habits and spending from Visa International, which will present the latest findings of a consumer survey specially timed to be revealed at WIT. Also, get some ideas about the business opportunities and how to increase them in the online world. Endless choices, product commoditization, branding diffusion, price domination, fickle customers - how do you keep your customers loyal and retain them in this challenging landscape? A session that will look at the redefining of customer loyalty and what some companies are doing to hit that sweet spot and the new tools and technology out there that are enabling transformation in this area. Moderator: TBA |
| 12.00-12.30 | The WIT Challenge I
In this session which will take on the format of a game show, moderator Yeoh Siew Hoon will fire a volley of challenging questions at a panel of experts. Each panelist will be given a buzzer and the first to “buzz” will have a go at answering the question. The other panelists are then free to challenge him or her. Audience interaction encouraged. |
| 12.30-14.00 | Lunch, brought to you by CNN.com |
| 14.00-15.00 | Businesses Transformed
A panel featuring companies that have transformed and driven change in the sector they’re represented in. What’s ahead in the area of travel retailing, airline distribution, corporate travel management and a new airline model that will impact your business?
Moderator: TBA |
| 15.00-15.30 | The WIT Challenge Hospitality II The WIT Challenge returns, this time, with a panel of experts in hotel distribution.
Other panallists: TBA |
| 15.30-15.45 | Killer Idea 2: Think Like An Animal: Bernard Harrison, Bernard Harrison & Friends
It's an urban jungle out there. And technology and the Internet has made it even more of a jungle. YouTube. MySpace. Facebook. Skype. Email. SMS. Mankind has never been as connected as today. Nor has he suffered from as much information overload or faced so much pressure at the workplace as today. Everything must be responded to NOW. Customers want it NOW. The boss demands it NOW. Can modern man cope? Are there lessons to be drawn from the animal kingdom? What are some of the leadership or management ideas we can adapt from our brethren? Awarded Champion of Creativity earlier this year, Bernard Harrison, the man most associated with the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, takes us on a walk on the wild side in this eye-opening session. |
| 15.45-16.15 | Break |
| 16.15-16.45 | The Digital Agency Pitch Three agencies take the WIT challenge - identify the most challenging issue facing marketers in the digital media world and share their idea and execution plan for an actual client. Each agency will present their pitch in 10 minutes and you get to vote for the winning pitch. - Jarrod Cocksedge, Business Director - Digital, MC Saatchi, Singapore Moderator: TBA |
| 16.45-17.30 | The Ideas Showcase: New Technology / Cool Tools / New Stuff
A panel showcasing ideas and tools from the new, the cool to the wonderful and how to turn the WOW into HOW
Moderator: Timothy O'Neil-Dunne, Managing Partner, T2 Impact |
| 17.30-17.40 | Close |
| 18.30 | WORLDHOTELS party |
Note: Programme correct at time of publication and is subject to change.