WIT Ideas Lab at ITB Asia, Oct 21-22, 2010
Ballroom 2, Suntec Convention Centre
Oct 21, 2010
08.30-09.00 Registration
09.00-09.45 An Audience with Travel Leaders
A top-level panel kicks off the WIT Ideas Lab. After a year of “tough love”, who has emerged stronger, and what’s changed? 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”?
Ray Stone, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Accor Asia Pacific
Mike Bezer, Vice President Global Sales, Asia Pacific, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Marnix H Fruitema, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Air France KLM (pictured)
Lim Neo Chian, Board Member, Singapore Cruise Centre
09.45-10.15 How To Tame Your Dragon
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 Tail, China
Bobby Ong, Regional VP Sales & Marketing – China, Kempinski Hotels S.A.
Hao Wu, General Manager, Daodao (TripAdvisor China)
10.15-11.00 Who says luxury is dead? Long live the new luxury.
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
Oct 22, 2010
08.30-09.00 Registration
09.00-09.30 In Conversation with Michael Issenberg, Chairman & COO, Accor Asia Pacific
A one-on-one interview with the 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?
09.30-10.15 Social Media, Search & Stuff
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
10.15-11.00 Small Is Beautiful, Niche Is Great, Specialists are Special. Survival means finding your niche and sticking to it.
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
Hamish Keith, Exotissimo Travel Group, Thailand
(Programme and timings correct at time of publication, subject to change)
The WIT Ideas Lab at ITB Asia is free for WIT and ITB Asia delegates.
View the full programme here.
