2007 Summit Conference:
The Future of Travel: Service, Technology, Security
The 2007 RSAA Summit Conference, returned to the “Big Apple.” This year’s annual event, entitled The Future of Travel: Service, Technology, Security was held at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan’s Time Square on January 9 - 10.
At the two-day conference, representatives from the country’s top inbound receptive tour operator companies and the leading destinations, attractions, hotels, restaurants and travel service companies in the United States take advantage of the opportunity to learn, network and build relationships.
This year’s conference kicked off with the Marketing Abroad general session lead by Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership. The Discover America Partnership was launched in September of 2006 to educate policymakers on how increased travel to the United States can enhance our economic and national security.
Geoff provided an overview of travel to the U.S. in the post-9/11 period. He indicated that travel to the U.S. has declined. The U.S. image abroad has deteriorated. The support for the war on terror has slipped. Through visa reforms, promotion of the U.S. and improved entry policies the situation can be greatly improved. A survey recently conducted by the Partnership indicated that those that have visited the U.S. are 74% more likely to have an extremely favorable opinion of the U.S.
Following the overview presentation, Geoff joined tourism leaders and Partnership representatives, Jeffrey Stewart and Rob Gluck, for a panel discussion. Mr. Stewart is the Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Loews Hotels and serves as an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Travel Business Roundtable. Rob Gluck is the Director of External Affairs for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. In this role, he led the development of the 2006 National Tourism Strategy. In addition Shonnie Lyon, Acting Director Implementation Management Division US-VISIT Program Office participated on the panel. The panel addressed questions from the audience regarding efforts in both the business and government sector that would have a positive effect on U.S. tourism and image.
The general session continued with Arnie Weissmann, Editor-in-Chief of Travel Weekly. Arnie discussed the future of travel distribution channels.
Next on the agenda was lunch and time for networking. There were several luncheon presentations by member sponsors of the conference. Attendees learned about the new ways these companies are learning to market themselves in the ever-changing inbound industry. Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares, addressed lunch attendees about the efforts of Tourism Cares on behalf of the hospitality industry. He thanked RSAA for their support through the 2007 Summit Silent Auction.
The afternoon breakout sessions covered a wide variety of topics about the future of travel. The Emerging Markets session was presented by Tom Nibbio, membership and development manager for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Tom provided a comprehensive profile of the Gay and Lesbian traveler. The Emerging Market session also included a presentation by Ron Erdmann, deputy director at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. Ron reviewed the top emerging markets and the main activities and U.S. destinations visited by travelers from these countries. Christopher Pike, Senior Consultant of Travel and Tourism for Global Insight joined Ron Erdmann for a breakout session later in the day on Re-emerging Markets.
Dr. Frederic Mayo, associate professor at the Robert Preston Tisch Center for Hospitality at New York University delivered an enlightening address regarding the Baby Boomer Market. Dr. Mayo provided a profile of the Baby Boomer Market and their travel needs by comparing and contrasting the forces that make Baby Boomers different from other generational segments of the travel market.
This year, the ever-popular Receptive 102 focused on international trade shows. Participants learned about which shows provide the best return on investment and how to provide the best opportunities for individual marketing strategies. The panel included participants from both the receptive and supplier membership.
Providing Memorable Guest Services was an engaging and instructive session. The program was presented by Bill Freeman of the Freeman Group. The Freeman Group provides the hospitality industry with training through simple, practical and cost effective methods that are measurable.
Hotel Interactive.com’s Editor-in-Chief, Glenn Haussman, delivered the presentation, entitled
Playing Catch-up With Technology. Glenn provided an informative session on future innovations in the hotel industry. In addition to managing technology, hotels of the future will create unique and highly tailored guest experiences.
The Wednesday schedule included the ever-popular Marketplace, where nearly approximately seventy-five receptive operators from nearly thirty receptive tour operator companies met one-on-one with supplier members. At the Marketplace there are two sessions of 15, seven-minute pre-scheduled appointments.
The Summit Conference included the seventh annual Silent Auction. Supplier venues provided an array of prizes including premium get-away packages to city and resort sites. All proceeds will be donated to Tourism Cares. Tourism Cares brings the tourism industry together to “give back” through volunteer programs to help restore historic sites that are in need of care and rejuvenation. They also make grants to preserve and restore natural, cultural and historic treasures. In addition, Tourism Care provides scholarships and educational opportunities to students studying hospitality and tourism.
The Summit concluded with the 2007 with the Summit Dinner Dance at the Hard Rock Café’s Paramount Theater Times Square. The evening provided attendees with the opportunity for fun, networking and dancing.
The annual Summit Conference continues to be the industry’s must attend event. It’s the perfect opportunity for industry representatives and association members to come together to conduct business, network and learn about industry issues. First time attendee Dr. Maree Forbes of American Driving Vacations said: It (the Summit) was a great conference for us and we found the attendees to be of a high caliber. We came away with solutions to supplier problems that we would have had to come back and solve anyway. We came home with at least two years worth of potential work"!
RSAA extends it’s appreciation to the Education and Event Committees for all their hard work in providing a successful Summit conference and dinner event.