ASTA announced the names of featured debaters and discussion leaders for the 2010 Retail Travel Leadership Summit (Sept. 13, 8:00 a.m.-11 a.m.). The summit will be held at this year’s THETRADESHOW (Orlando, Sept. 12-14). The exclusive audience of senior level executives, select media and industry representatives will hear debates on such topics as whether cross-selling enriches or harms a business, the employee model versus the independent contractor business model and what the impact of airline unbundling will be on the future of travel distribution.
 
“This year’s roster of panelists, in addition to the controversial subject matter, will no doubt lead to a lively debate,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “This group of experienced travel professionals will shed light on some of the industry’s most challenging issues. I, for one, am looking forward to learning more about each of these issues.”
 
The panel “SuperSizing: Does Cross Selling Enrich Your Business or Cost You?” will delve into the subject of  whether it pays for travel agents to offer their clients one-stop shopping. Weighing in on the pros and cons are: moderator Kaye Ceile, senior vice president, Avis Budget Group; Julius Robinson, vice president/global sales intermediaries for Marriott International; Darcy Lard, president of Flathead Travel Service, Inc.; Joff Romoff, vice president of sales for Amadeus; and Wendy Wiegl, vice president/travel with AAA Minneapolis.
 
“What’s the Best Model: Employees or Independent Contractors (IC)?” will examine whether hiring a new employee, with its added responsibilities, is the right choice for an agency. Debating the issue will be Andi McClure-Mysza, president of independent contractors and home-based agents for Montrose Travel; Alexander Chemla, president of Altour; and Stephanie Ellis, vice president/compliance services for Spherion.
 
Lastly, industry experts will probe the subject of “Airline Unbundling’s Impact on the Future of Travel Distribution – Where is it all heading?” Those debating the pitfalls and opportunities of selling ancillary services are: Kate Murphy, president of Uniglobe Wings Travel; Andrew Henry, vice president of U.S. operations and industry relations for Uniglobe Travel U.S.A.; Roger Hale, president and CEO of ADTRAV Travel Management; Mike Premo, vice president /marketing, sales and customer care for the Airlines Reporting Corp.; and Kyle Moore, vice president of product marketing at Sabre Travel Network.