The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) organise its 2002 Regional Meeting at the Swissotel Boston in Boston, Mass., December 9-13, 2002. This year`s event features an integrated program with information-packed presentations that address the varied perspectives of the constituencies in the distribution chain.

HEDNA announced its keynote speaker Chicke Fitzgerald, Managing Partner of T2Impact, who will address the essential elements of strategic planning, business process re-engineering and joint venture partnering to ideally position companies in today`s complex hotel distribution market. With close to 25 years of experience in electronic distribution and marketing, she will provide a comprehensive analysis of requirements for today`s buyer, distributor, and supplier to ensure seamless information flow across the distribution chain. Ms. Fitzgerald will present on Wednesday, Dec. 11, concluding the day`s presentations and panel discussions.

Roland Tanner, president of HEDNA and vice president of information technology and distribution for Utell, a division of Pegasus Solutions, Inc., says of this upcoming meeting, HEDNA`s comprehensive program for its December event unravels the complex mystery of what`s happening in the distribution chain from the perspectives of the buyers, the intermediaries and the suppliers. Together, our presenters alongside HEDNA`s member expertise piece together increasingly fragmented processes in our distribution chain.

PhoCusWright`s President & CEO Philip Wolf will serve as HEDNA`s meeting moderator on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when the following speakers will navigate the journey across the distribution chain:

• Renie Cavallari, Founder and Director of Inspiration at Aspire Marketing and Training


• Joyce Dawson, Regional Director of Revenue Management for Oceans Properties, LTD.


• Ron DiLeo, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Strategic Travel Solutions for Rosenbluth International


• Ken Gifford, Corporate Director of Revenue Management for Omni Hotels


• Greg Herrera, Director of Hotel Programs for Raytheon Enterprise Material Sourcing


• Tom Naughton, Travelocity Preferred Elite member


• Joseph Opp, Senior Vice President of Membership Services for The Leading Hotels of the World

To kickoff Wednesday`s educational lineup, HEDNA`s Consumer Research Project will be unveiled and presented by Judy Burns, Executive Vice President of Hospitality Technology Consulting. Called The Customer Journey, this project is a series of reports that will trace hotel-specific trends in their customers` purchases through online and traditional channels. HEDNA is drawing on its member expertise in concert with New York University`s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Administration to provide resources including industry projections and that will help fine-tune organizations` electronic distribution and marketing strategies.