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ASTA’s sixth annual Premium Business Summit brought more than 100 of the industry’s top travel agency executives together with top supplier management and government officials to share insight and discuss best-practice solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing issues. The invitation-only Premium Business Summit-the only meeting of its kind in the industry—was held in Phoenix, March 22-25, 2012.
“This year’s Premium Summit provided those in attendance with an unprecedented opportunity to hear directly from government leaders about the landmark policies that affect our industry and business,” said ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar.”The chance to discuss and share working solutions to the issues that define our industry cannot be underestimated in value.”
The group was honored to hear from U.S. Rep. Ben Quayle (R-AZ), who serves on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Science, Space and Technology Committees, all of which have jurisdiction over issues critical to the travel industry, including aviation security, online commerce and issues related to attracting international travelers to the United States. Quayle provided the group with a Congressional update on the latest in tax, independent contractor, TSA reform and visa processing issues.
On the second day, Summit attendees heard from Doug Hofsass, the associate administrator for risk-based security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Since joining the TSA in 2002, he has served in a number of leadership capacities, most recently as deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement. Hofsass updated those in attendance on the Department of Homeland Security’s move toward risk-based security measures, including PreCheck and Global Entry.
“Having some of the top executives in the travel industry as well as inviting The Honorable Ben Quayle to speak definitely adds great value to the agenda. I enjoyed the networking sessions with other ASTA Premium members,” said Craig Hsu, vice president, Travel Design USA Inc. (Torrance, Calif.) and a Young Professional Society member. “I can’t imagine obtaining the vital information at this summit anywhere else. Not only do I recommend attending, but I believe it is necessary.”
Former Homeland Security Assistant Secretary C. Stewart Verdery, today a founder and partner of Monument Policy Group (Washington, D.C.), spoke to the subject of the ever-changing political landscape, the White House’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy, homeland security and airline ancillary fee issues.
“The meeting content was outstanding. I found the open dialogue of the issues facing the distribution channel to be extremely beneficial,” said John Lovell, president, Vacation.com, LLC (Alexandria, Va.).
Changes to the Airlines Reporting Corp.’s (ARC) Agent Reporting Agreement (ARA) were top of mind during the business summit, when Lauri Reishus, ARC vice president of operations, provided Premium Members with an inside look at the new agreement. Travel agent members of the group later took part in an agent-only discussion led by noted industry attorney Mark Pestronk in which practical advice and tips involving the ARA changes were shared.
“[It was] another wonderfully produced Premium Business Summit, full of very relevant industry updates. Hearing from and interacting with the top executives of our industry suppliers affords you the opportunity to really know what to expect down the road and how to prepare for the constant changes in our business,” noted Chris Conlin, president and CEO, Conlin Travel (Ann Arbor, Mich.).
Leaders from across a wide spectrum of the travel industry shared their expertise and perspectives with the group:
– Mike Waterman, Marriott’s vice president sales, Western Region (WSW), shared insight into Marriott’s global industry outlook for the coming years.
– Vic Pynn, executive vice president, Amadeus North America, discussed how agents could use social media to better understand the new customer service model.
– Enterprise Holdings Vice President of Travel Industry Relations Ron Cerko gave an inside look into how today’s travel professional can bring additional value to their clients.
– Chris Kroeger, senior vice president of Sabre/GetThere, spoke to the value that exists for buyers and sellers alike in today’s travel marketplace.
– Travelport’s Scott Hyden, vice president and general manager/U.S. & Canada, shared his views on the overall state of the industry.
Premium Members also took part in a networking session and panel discussions, which examined the travel agency value proposition and ways in which leisure and corporate agents can sell value to time-starved customers. A second panel tackled the subject of ways in which agents can invigorate their business through various means of talent acquisition, be it hiring veterans, recent grads or those looking for a second career.
Gonchar provided an overview of ASTA’s activities in the areas of advocacy, membership and consumer awareness. Eben Peck, ASTA vice president of government affairs, reviewed the many pieces of legislation proposed across the country that could dramatically and negatively impact the way travel agencies conduct business and what steps ASTA and its members are undertaking to combat them.
Sponsors of the event were: Marriott, JW Marriott Desert Ridge, ABC Global Services, Amadeus, ARC, CCRA Travel Solutions, Enterprise Holdings, Hertz, Sabre, Travelport, Travel Insured, Southwest Conference Planners, Pacific Event Productions and Visit Phoenix.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
