Videos & Presentations for WIT 2008




DAY TWO, OCT 22, 2008
Theatre, Level 2, Suntec Convention Centre
9.00-9.45
 Opening keynote, ITB Asia (Suntec Theatre, Level 2, same venue as WIT)
9.45-10.15 Brunch (Foyer, Level 2)
10.15-10.25 Start of WIT: Setting The Stage for Transformation (Theatre)
10.25-11.15
 New Ideas & Execution For Brand Building & Marketing

If you don’t stand for something, you fall for everything. Indeed, there’s a very thin line between bland and brand. What are some of the new ideas out there that can help ensure your brand does not fall into the abyss of blandness?
  • Gordon Locke, Vice President, Airline Marketing and Strategy, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network
  • Kathleen Tan, Regional Head-Commercial, AirAsia
  • Gerry Oh, Regional Vice President – SE Asia & Australia, Jet Airways (India)
  • Karthik Siva, Chairman, Global Brand Forum
Moderator: Yeoh Siew Hoon
11.15-12.00
 Market Ideas I: Japan

Two of Japan's leading online players, Ikyu.com and Recruit Travel Information, make their debut at WIT and share their experiences from one of the world's most complex, challenging and dynamic markets. He who dares, wins.
  • Suguru Tomizuka, President, Recruit Travel Information Company Ltd, Japan
  • Masabumi Mori, CEO, Ikyu Corp, Japan
Moderator: Aya Aso, CEO/President, Agora Hospitality, Japan
12.00-12.15
 Ideas From The Streets

It's all around us – Asian street culture – but do we really see it? Street activities give us the best insights into where society is at. Look closer at what people are wearing, how stalls are marketing themselves, what the advertising is saying. It's a very potent, constantly shifting visual and emotive vocabulary that is around us all the time. The way we project ourselves outward is reflective of how we perceive ourselves. Architect and artist Ketna Patel shares her vision of Asian street culture and how you can pick up ideas from the streets for yourself, and your business.
  • Ketna Patel, Michi Artists Pte Ltd
12.15-12.45
 Market Ideas II: India

Incredible India: Three of India’s most dynamic online travel companies gather to discuss the latest trends and issues unfolding in one of the most diverse, complex and oh, so lucrative markets in Asia.
  • Dhruv Shringi, CEO, Yatra.com
  • Phanindra S, CEO, RedBus
  • Keyur Joshi, Makemytrip.com
Moderator: Ram Badrinathan, Senior Director, Research, PhoCusWright Inc
12.45-13.00
 The WIT Debate 1: This is the age of social collaboration, not brand control

Does community control mean community in control or control of communities? Is it time for brands to let go control in the new collaborative universe built by social networking sites and brands such as Wikipedia and Trip Advisor or video games such as SPORE? Or do users still need to be led and controlled by “someone out there”? Does no control lead to anarchy? Does too much control lead to customer disenchantment? Two debators come head to head on this most critical of issues in the new Web 2.0 environment.

For: Jim Donnelly, Pursuit Group Charlotte, US
Against: Timothy O'Neil-Dunne, Managing Partner, T2 Impact
Adjudicator: Fiona Rankine, Asian Palette Pte Ltd
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-14.40
 Market Ideas III: China

The number of Internet users in China has surpassed that of the US. And that's only the beginning of things to come as the world's biggest market embraces technology and its consumers get a bigger appetite for travel. The leading online travel player in China, Ctrip, shares lessons learnt and what's driven its success in this competitive, complex market. Followed by a panel discussion on the key trends and issues that are shaping the market.

Presentation: Alfred Chang, Director of Business Development, Ctrip
  • Fritz Demopoulos, CEO, Qunar
Moderator: Ram Badrinathan, Senior Director, Research, PhoCusWright Inc
14.40-15.30

The WIT Start-Up Pitch

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, who will also share some tips on how to get access to funding. Plus, 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) voucher worth US$2,500 (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.

Q&A with Panel of Judges

Presentation by 3 finalists and judges' comments/questions

Judges:

  • William Liu, Chairman, Stream Global
  • Michael Yap, Deputy CEO, Media Development Authority
  • Reza Behnam, Partner, IDG Ventures SEA
  • Lee Keen Whye, Managing Director, Strategic Alliance Capital
15.30-16.00 Break
16.00-17.00
 Ideas & Execution

Four different business models, four different approaches, four different stories – how have each survived and evolved in their respective areas? And how are each transforming? A series of presentations by each, followed by a sharp, short and fiery question and answer session.
  • Adrian Currie, Chairman, Agoda
  • Robbie Cooke, CEO, Wotif
  • Scott Blume, CEO, Zuji/Travelocity
  • Jens Uwe Parkitny, Managing Director-Distribution, Asia Pacific, Expedia
Moderator: Timothy Hughes, Vice President-Commercial, Hotelclub.com; BOOT – The Business of Online Travel
17.00-17.45
 Meeting The Transformers: Audience With The CEOs

Call them GDSs or technology solutions providers or what you want but no business has seen more change than these enablers in the travel distribution and marketing channel. And one of the key drivers of change has been the low cost airlines. In this interview session, four chief executives will share their opinions and thoughts on the changing distribution landscape and how their companies are riding the wave of change.
  • Robert Bailey, President & CEO, Abacus International
  • Brad Holman, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Travelport GDS
  • Chong Phit Lian, CEO, Jetstar Asia
  • Ric Leutwyler, President, Utell Hotels & Resorts
17.45-18.00 The WIT Debate II: Ideas Vs Execution Vs Action

Three debators stake their ground and ownership of each word of the WIT 2008 theme.

Ideas: John Northen, Area Vice President, South East Asia, Marriott International

Execution: Catherine McNabb, Director, Strategic Clusters 1, Business Travel & MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board

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

Adjudicators: Patrick Andres, Managing Director, SynXis Asia Pacific and Fiona Rankine, Asian Palette Pte Ltd

You vote the winner.
18.00-18.15 Close

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