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 TWO, OCT 22, 2008

Auditorium, Level 2, Suntec Convention Centre
9.00-10.00 Opening keynote, ITB Asia (Suntec Ballroom, Level 2)
10.15-10.20 Setting The Stage for Transformation (Suntec Auditorium, Level 2)
10.20-11.10

Transforming The Future of Distribution

  • Gordon Locke, Vice President, Airline Marketing and Strategy, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network
  • Philip Wolf, President & CEO, PhoCusWright Inc
  • TBA

This session brings together industry thought leaders who will cast their eye over the distribution landscape and predict a few key trends for the future.
11.10-11.50

Market Ideas I

Japan: Two of Japan's leading online players, Ikyu.com and Jaran.net, make their debut at WIT and share their experiences from one of the world's most complex and challenging markets. He who dares, wins.

  • Terukazu Ikeda, Business Development Group, Travel Information Company, RECRUIT CO., LTD
  • Masabumi Mori, CEO, Ikyu Corp, Japan

Moderator: Aya Aso, CEO/President, Agora Hospitality, Japan
11.50-12.30 Market Ideas II

A panel featuring players from new and emerging markets.

  • Jack Yu, EzTravel.com, Taiwan
  • Lee Lai Huat, Holiday City, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia
  • TBA

Moderator: Ram Badrinathan, Senior Director, Research, PhoCusWright Inc

12.30-14.00

Lunch
14.00-14.30 The Ideas Showcase

A session showcasing some of the best ideas out there that have helped differentiate a business, transformed a property and helped generate more sales and one that is filling up what it says is the "search gap" in travel.

Differentiation - Green Travel & Technology
Dr Reza Azmi, WildAsia

Total Makeover - From Tin Mine to Family Resort to Industrial Chic
Bill Black, Bed Management, Thailand

Higher Sales: Engaging the Long Tail and using the Power of User Generated Content and Social Media to market your Services
Stephen Joyce, Rezgo, Canada

Filling the Search Gap
Barry Smith, Vice President-Marketing, Skyscanner, UK

Moderator: TBA

14.30-15.00 The WIT Start-Up Pitch

In this ground-breaking session, three finalists who have been qualified and shortlisted in the run-up to WIT will have their moment of glory when they pitch their business proposals to a panel of investor judges, chaired by Bill Liu, Chairman of Stream Global. And you get a chance to ask questions and vote for the best idea by SMS.

The winner will win a Professional Development Program (PDP) from the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) scholarship worth US$2,000 (valid for 2009) as well as the opportunity to take their winning idea to the next level with the investor judges and who knows, possibly get access to funding. Yes, dreams can come true at WIT.
15.00-15.30 Airline Marketing & Destination Marketing, Transformed

Stories from two players who are making waves in their respective areas.

Transforming The Low Cost Model: How Asia's first low cost airline is evolving its model and branding as it expands in a competitive and challenging market and how is it managing the multi-channel distribution landscape?

  • Kathleen Tan, Vice President-Marketing, AirAsia

Commercialising the Destination Model: A case study of a national tourism organisation that has created commercial platforms to generate new and increased revenue streams to support more "traditional" NTO marketing models. How can key partners benefit and what are the gains for customers from this new Visit Britain initiative?"

  • Kenny Boyle, Director-Commercial Operations, Visit Britain

Moderator: TBA
15.30-16.00 Break
16.00-17.00

Ideas & Execution
This panel will look at four different business models and study how they've survived and evolved in the complex and diverse Asian market. Who will transform and who will thrive in the years to come?

  1. Richard Noon, CEO, Webjet
  2. Adrian Currie, Chairman, Agoda
  3. Henrik Kjellberg, President, Expedia Asia Pacific
  4. Robbie Cooke, CEO, Wotif

Moderator: TBA
17.15-18.00

Meeting The Transformers: Audience With The CEOs

  1. David Brett, President, Amadeus Asia
  2. Robert Bailey, President & CEO, Abacus International
  3. Brad Holman, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Travelport GDS

Call them GDSs or technology solutions providers or what you want but no other business has seen more change than these three enablers in the travel distribution and marketing channel. In this interview session, industry leaders will share their opinions and thoughts on the changing distribution landscape and how their companies are riding the wave of change.

18.00-18.15

The WIT Debate: Ideas Vs Execution Vs Action

In this historic clash of the Titans, three of WIT's enduring debating champions return to the stage to stake their ground and ownership of each word.

Winner of last year's debate when he championed "Inspiration" over "Transaction", John Northen, Area Vice President, South East Asia Marriott International, Inc, will return to argue his case for Ideas.

Peter Smith, VP-Business Solutions, Amadeus Asia, who won last year's debate in "The Future of Distribution", will take ownership of Execution and argue why it is the make or break of all businesses.

Martin Symes, CEO of Wego.com, WIT's most loyal debator, will go to battle for Action.

Adjudicator: TBA

You vote the winner.
18.15 Close

Note: Programme correct at time of publication and is subject to change.