What’s next on the calendar? Now that it’s May, we’re gearing up for the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) conference in Las Vegas! It runs May 27 to 28, 2009, at the Green Valley Ranch Resort.
Henry Harteveldt (vice president and principal analyst, Forrester Research) will kick things off with a keynote speech addressing comsumers’ thoughts on the economy, travel and marketing in general. Over the two days of the conference, there are a number of informative sessions planned.
My top five session picks include:
1. What Is the Role of Advertising in a Recession?
How to plan out the rest of 2009 and what to think about 2010, moderated by Rob Torres of Google.
2. Taking Social Computing From the Edge to the Center
Susan Black (managing partner, Susan Black Associates) will moderate a panel with Tim Simmonds (vice president, United Airlines) and Adam Rugel (president, Trazzler.com). Unsurpisingly, Twitter seems to be a hot agenda topic!
3. Improving the Online Selling Process
Kevin Fliess (CEO, TravelMuse) will join Josh Steinitz (CEO, Nile Guide) and Alex Wilcock (CEO, Imagini) in a session moderated by Jeff DeKorte (vice president, Travel Ad Network) in rethinking the way travel firms engage customers and address selling shortfalls.
4. Improving Your Advertising and Promtion ROI
I’m always on the lookout for new tools. This session peaked my curiosity and includes former Yahoo general manager Brad King, now managing director, BlueKai Channels, who intend to build the world’s largest database of intentions.
5. Profiting From Design
Optimize your Web site from a design and usability standpoint with Dean Kakridas of Frog Design.
There are various registration packages, but ATME members can register at the special rate of $495 (which ends May 15, 2009). Find out more here.
And keep an eye out for Kevin in Las Vegas. Be sure to steer him away from the tables and slot machines—that’s not the way to improve our ROI!