Sunday
ACTE's conference kicks off in Dallas with targeted discussions to get you talking with industry peers from around the globe. Plan your schedule to ensure you will arrive by 2pm on Sunday afternoon so you won't miss out on the opening General Session and these meaningful round table discussions.GENERAL SESSION
Cultivating Winning Relationships
Sunday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Morag Barrett, founder of SkyeTeam, a leadership development consulting firm, brings a wide range of experience from senior executive coaching to developing high impact teams across Europe, America, and Asia. She has a robust understanding of the challenges of business as well as the complexities of leading and managing people. Her new book, Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships will provide you with a powerful opportunity to increase collaboration and teamwork to drive performance and success.
Exclusive Buyers Only Focused Networking
Rotation 1: Industry Verticals
Sunday, 3:00pm-4:30pm
You spoke. We listened. And in Dallas, we will deliver on the fresh approach to networking that buyers are clamoring for. In a new twist to our popular World Café round tables, ACTE will offer separate tables where you can benchmark with peers from your industry to resolve the challenges that are unique to your sector.
Exclusive Buyers Only Focused Networking
Rotation 2: Program Features
Sunday, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Meaningful discussions and targeted networking continue as buyers re-group based on the features that impact the management of your travel program. Select a table designated by your travel program’s maturity, annual spend, geographic focus, or by the number of people who manage travel for your company. Network with peers who have similar programs and/or resources, and discover new ideas and solutions that may work for your company.
Rotation 1: Industry Verticals Discussion Leaders
Table Facilitator | Table Facilitator Company | Vertical Table |
Pat Batra, Chief, Global Travel - Aviation & General Services | Unicef | Assoc/NGO/Profit/ Education Services/ Government |
Joel Baum, Strategic Sourcing | Harris Corporation | Defense |
Silvia Dreyfus, Global Travel Category Manager | Ericsson | Telecommunications |
Michelle Grant, Travel Administration Manager | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers | TBD |
Karen Hatch, Travel and Expense Manager | WestRock | Manufacturing |
Kerrie Henshaw-Cox, Global Commercial Lead | AstraZeneca | Pharmaceutical/ Healthcare |
Michelle Hunt, Regional Category Manager | DHL | Transportation/ Freight/Logistics |
Lisa Jochum Keller, Global Travel Program Manager, Global travel & Events | Accenture | Professional Services |
Mick Lee, | Freeman | Other Services |
Nicki Leeds, Global Supply Chain - Travel | Hess Corporation | Oil/Gas |
Michael Lyons, Regional Head of Travel Services | HSBC | |
Lori O'Connell, Senior Director, Travel & Meetings | PricewaterhouseCoopers | Professional Services |
Cassandra Prewett, Strategic Program Manager | Bank of Montreal | Financial/Insurance |
Trish Rothman, Global Travel Manager | William Blair & Company | TBD |
Steven Schoen, Director, Mobility Services Americas | Siemens | Conglomerate |
James Sisco, Director, Global Travel and Credit Card Services | RELX Group | Technology |
Deborah Steele, Senior Vice President, Vendor Executive | Bank of America | Financial Services/ Banking/Insurance |
David Thompson, Jr., Executive Director, Global Travel - Meetings & Card Services | The Estee Lauder Companies | Retail/Consumer Products/CPG |
Raymond Williams, Senior Manager, Global Travel & Expense | Starbucks Coffee Company | Accommodation/ Food Services |
Supplier Perspectives: Industry Issues & Suppliers' Secrets to Success at ACTE Dallas
Sunday, 3:00-4:30pm
In this session we will provide discuss supplier attendees to ensure their success during and after the Conference in building new and robust relationships leading to clear opportunities and ROI.
Speakers:
Tom Nicholson, Industry Veteran
Susan Shaid-Kedson, Account Director, Global Sales, AccorHotels
ECPAT Presentation by:
Global Spotlights: Challenges and Insights on Managing Travel in Diverse Regions
Sunday, 4:45pm - 5:30pm
These casual discussions are essential sessions for those who manage multi-country programs and anyone managing travellers to emerging destinations. Gain insights from facilitators with first-hand experience with the cultural nuances, local business practices, and adjustments based on market maturity or current situations. Bring your questions and join the discussions.
Select From:
Global Spotlight on Asia
Presented by:
Ashish Kishore, Country Head India, HRG Dnata (India)
Peter Koh, Asia Strategic Sourcing Manager, Travel and Professional Services, Corning Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
Benson Tang, Regional Director, Asia, ACTE (Hong Kong)
Hiromi Tometaka, Head of Corporate Services Japan, Société Générale (Japan)
Global Spotlight on Latin America
Presented by:
Silvia Dreyfus, Sourcing Category Manager, Ericsson (Panama)
Patricia Thomas, President, ALAGEV (Brazil)
Global Spotlight on the Middle East
Presented by:
Selim Boutros, Director, HRG (Lebanon)
Monday
Education sessions on Monday focus on finding solutions to key industry challenges. Think big. Think different. Think about the potential of our industry putting its top minds together to tackle issues that affect your day to day work.Featured Session: The Road to Success
Monday, 9:00am - 9:30am
Under Gary Kelly's leadership, Southwest has grown to become the nation's largest airline in terms of originating domestic passengers carried and is a mainstay on Fortune magazine's list of the most admired companies in the world. Gary has pioneered the airline's transformation through several key initiatives, including the acquisition of AirTran Airways, the repeal of the Wright Amendment, and the launch of the international destinations for the first time in Southwest's history. Gary has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years, including being named to Fortune magazine's list of the Top 20 People in Business in 2014.
GENERAL SESSION
Monday, 9:30am - 10:30am
Insights from Industry Leaders
Engage with a panel of industry experts including Eric Bailey (Global Travel and Venue Group Lead, Microsoft Global Procurement Group), Mette Christensen (Global Head of Travel and Indirect Services, A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S), Michelle 'Mick' Lee (Senior Vice President, Freeman Exhibit Co.), Dorian Stonie (Senior Manager Global Travel, Salesforce), and Pascal Struyve (Global Travel Fleet and Meeting Services Director, Ingersoll-Rand) on the latest issues facing the industry.
Tobias Ragge, CEO of HRS, will provide an industry perspective via an interview conducted by ACTE Board Member Georgie Farmer (Group Manager, Strategic Sourcing, Global Travel & Meetings, Global Procurement Group, Microsoft Corporation).
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Addressing the Sharing Economy
Monday, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Bring your Sharing Economy challenges and get ready to work with peers and experts to address this industry disruptor. This workshop consists of a 2-hour block that includes lunch.
Speakers:Stephen Barth, Founder, HospitalityLawyer.com, Author, Professor, University of Houston
Jenny Bulgrin, Business Development, Airbnb
Kelly McDonald, Vice President, Global Corporate Services, Guggenheim Partners
Ben Sternsmith, VP Corporate Solutions, Lyft
Dorian Stonie, Senior Manager Global Travel, Salesforce
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Integrating Virtual Payments
Monday, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Bring your questions and lessons-learned and get ready to work with
peers and experts on seamlessly integrating virtual payments into your travel
program. This workshop consists of a 2-hour block that includes
lunch.
Speakers:
Colleen Black, Partner, GoldSpring Consulting LLC
Dianne Hernandez, Manager, Global Card Program, Global Supply Chain Support Services, Transocean
Monica Mills, Manager, Global HR Services - Mobility, Transocean
Joe Monaghan, Global Head of Travel Services, Sutherland Global
Sean Parham, Global Travel Wizard, Riot Games
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Rethinking Corporate Travel Management
Monday, 11:30am - 1:30pm
This is not your typical breakout session. It’s time to bring thought leaders together to define the ongoing challenges of the corporate travel industry and put forward a plan that identifies specific changes and solutions that will finally propel our industry towards real progress on key issues. Raise your voice, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to create the blueprints that bridge the gaps that have existed for years. This workshop consists of a 2-hour block that includes lunch.
Facilitator:
Steven Mandelbaum, Vice President, Information Systems, The Advisory Board Company
The Power of Winning Relationships
Monday, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Speakers:
Morag Barrett, Executive Coach, Author, and ACTE Keynote Speaker
Thinking Differently: Non-Obvious Approaches to Better Understanding and Use of Key Trends
Monday, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Join Tuesday's keynote speaker Rohit Bhargava, a Georgetown professor and author of six business books, for this 2-hour workshop, which includes lunch.
In addition to sharing specific trends from his annual trend research reports and Wall Street Journal best selling book Non-Obvious, book called Non-Obvious, this session offers practical and actionable lessons for how to become a trend curator, collect unique ideas, see patterns, and learn to anticipate trends. Receive a crash course in the approaches and specific tools that experts use to put these methods into practice for themselves to solve business challenges, inform future strategy, and become a more informed leader within their organizations.
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MONDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS
GENERAL SESSION
Latest Trends in the Airline Industry and the Implications for Corporate Travel
Monday, 2:30pm- 3:30pm
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Paris, Belgium, California, and countless more destinations have been hit with terror acts or threats in recent years, and many of these locations were previously considered ‘low risk’ for travelers. In the first study of its kind, ACTE research has benchmarked how these occurrences are affecting the traveller psyche. Are travelers become less eager to travel? Are there implications for HR issues such as higher stress or attrition when travelers must visit destinations shortly after an occurrence? The study looks at the perspective of both travelers and companies to see if there is currently alignment on these issues.
Speakers:
Stephen Barth, Founder, HospitalityLawyer.com, Author, Professor, University of Houston
Pat Batra, Chief, Global Travel & General Services, UNICEF
Geert Behets, Head of Global Travel, Meetings, & Fleet Management, UCB
Michelle M. Hunt, GTP, CCTE, Regional Category Manager, Travel Services, DHL
Lori O’Connell, Senior Director, Travel & Meetings, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Colin Temple, Vice President & General Manager, North America, American Express Global Business Travel
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The Future of Distribution
Monday, 4:00- 5:00pm
Recent developments in GDS fee thresholds, airlines trialling NDC (New Distribution Capability) standards and hotel direct booking-only incentives illustrate that the traditional distribution model is evolving – as are the relationships between GDSs, TMCs and suppliers. At the same time, advancing data technology means ever-more sophisticated unique user profiles are available to those who want to create a more ‘personalised’ business travel experience. What does this evolving landscape mean for managed travel programmes? What are the challenges for buyers, and what are the potential benefits?
Speakers:
Cory Garner, Managing Director of Distribution and Data Commercialization, American Airlines
Yanik Hoyles, Director NDC Program, IATA
Jay Richmond, Head of Business Travel Group, North America, Amadeus
Pascal Struyve, Global Travel Fleet & Meeting Services Director, Ingersoll-Rand
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If you have noticed an evolution in the roles, responsibilities and scope of Travel Managers, you’re not alone. Today’s portfolio might include MICE, fleet management, mobility, data science, social media, sourcing - and more. Some roles are transactional, others strategic. Then there’s the organization’s structure: the corporate travel department might be housed in Human Resources or Shared Services or Finance or Procurement. Discover how successful travel managers are adapting and succeeding in this ever-changing landscape.
Speakers:
Susan Lichtenstein, Director of Global Travel, Cisco Systems
David J McDonald, Senior Vice President, Global Category Manager, Travel & Events, Global Corporate Services, Bank of America
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Innovation Case Study: Leading the Industry in Travel Data Aggregation and Consolidation
Monday, 4:00- 5:00pm
(Session repeats Tuesday at 2:45pm - 3:45pm)
Imagine being able to look at all of your data from varied external reports seamlessly in a single dashboard that integrates agency data and expense or card data with your traveller profiles, feedback surveys, and other external data. Imagine if you could pull those numerous different data sources into a single page view and filter it by hotel brand or by a specific market (etc.). Then, add great visualization features so you can instantly see complete information from your agency and by traveller scores and other sources all in one view to guide your decisions. Industry leader Cindy Heston shares the innovative approach that her team is using to make this possible. Discover what they are doing, and how it has the potential for vastly broader potential for the future.
Speakers:
Cindy Heston, Director, Travel and Events, Anthem Inc.
Chris Walsh, Business Information Consultant, Anthem, Inc.
Speaker:
Morag Barrett, Executive Coach, Author, and ACTE Keynote Speaker
Travel Management Benchmarking: Empowered Hotel Sourcing
Monday, 4:00- 5:00pm
ACTE’s forthcoming whitepaper on hotel sourcing practices benchmarks the role of the travel manager in assuring the best value in lodging. Are travel managers empowered to offer strategic direction for lodging programs? Is the travel manager’s role to deliver savings or total value? Are travel managers and other corporate leaders aligned in their view the the travel manager's role and value to the company? How are your peers responding to these questions? Get the highlights from this new research on those questions and more.
Speakers:Nicki Leeds, Global Travel Manager, Hess Corporation
Pam McTeer, Director, Procurement Global Travel, Coca-Cola
Bruce Montgomery, Senior Purchasing Manager, NEC Corporation of America
Suzanne Neufang, Vice President - Americas, HRS
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Networking Reception
Monday, 6:00- 8:00pm
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Tuesday
Tuesday morning will feature ACTE's TableTalks. These small targeted round table discussions each focus on a different preset topic that is timely for our industry.Education sessions on Tuesday afternoon blend innovative thinking and ideas with more traditional presentations on topics of core importance to attendees. Select from a variety of program options to tailor your educational experience and ensure you take away the tools, resources, and the best practices to keep you on the leading edge.
GENERAL SESSION
Non-Obvious: How to Think Different, Curate Ideas & Predict The Future
Tuesday, 9:30 am – 10:30am
Christine Ourmieres-Widener, Chief Global Sales Officer, American Express Global Business Travel
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Tuesday, 10:45am – 11:45am
TableTalks were highly praised by countless attendees in 2015 who loved the new format, the topics, and recognized the great opportunity to build connections with people who share your interest in a particular subject. The premise is simple: select a topic from the list of over 25 different options. Pull up a chair at the table where that topic is being discussed. Join the conversation. Share your ideas and put forward your questions related to that topic. Each table has a preassigned moderator and an expert who will help keep the discussions on track.
This year, TableTalks tables are spread out across two rooms. Within each room, each table will have a different pre-set topic and a moderator to lead the discussion. Join a table, join the discussion!
TUESDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS PART 1
Data is all the rage, but effective data utilization still eludes most travel managers. How can you turn your data into real life scenarios that drive your program to the next level? Leading industry buyers will share their data strategies with a focus on the essential “who, what, and how” data is most effectively delivered to drive value in their managed travel program. Learn how they have evolved their programs through data; and takeaway key points on how to better utilize the data at hand, how to identify the right data to the right audience, and what sources are buyers using to manage their data.
Speakers:
Cindy Allen, CEO, PayForTrip
Jennifer Steinke, Manager, Corporate Travel, ACT
Tom Tulloch, Managing Director, North America, PI
The New Age of Technology – Mobilizing Your Travel Program
Tuesday, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
This session repeats at 2:45pm-3:45pm on Tuesday.
The next mobile wave is hitting a handset near you - including invisible apps, network arrival notifications, location-driven content auctions, and sponsored data. This time there is nothing the travel manager, the TMC or the GDS can do to control or delay the dramatic and disruptive developments. How well are you positioned to take advantage of these major new opportunities in your global travel program? Johnny Thorsen, travel technology expert, will provide fresh insights that few of us have seen before.
Speaker:
Johnny Thorsen, Senior Director, Value Solutions, SAP Mobile Services
Harnessing the Power of Thoughtful Design to Drive Better Traveler Experiences
Tuesday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Don’t treat your travel program’s mobile presence as an afterthought - the mobile revolution has arrived and it will only grow in relevance to business travel. There is tremendous untapped potential to use apps, online platforms, and other technology for much more than traveler satisfaction surveys. Learn about the methodology behind product design and usability’s roll in not only compliance but the overall success of a travel program; plus tips on key considerations when choosing a technology partner or new product.
Moderated by:
Cheryl Benjamin, Travel Services Manager, Dart Container Corporation
Lisa Jochum Keller, Global Travel Program Manager, Accenture Global Travel and Events
Barbara Rose, Americas Travel Lead, EY
Brian Sullivan, Manager, Sabre UX Operations
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The Balancing Act: Optimising a Managed Travel Program Despite Invisible Bookings
Tuesday, 1:00- 2:00pm
Supplier direct travel bookings are on the rise for a variety of reasons - evolving technology, workforce demographics, supplier direct marketing. Studies show that over 50% of hotel spend is booked outside of the managed channels. Learn from industry experts during this interactive panel to understand how they’re managing their programs in light of this gap and what suppliers are doing to help you manage that spend. Our panelists will shed light on why is it happening and how to still obtain your negotiated rates, ensure policy compliance, and give your TMC visibility into those bookings to support your travelers, your duty of care program and reporting.
Speakers:
Valerie Fender, Manager of Corporate Travel and Expense, Tribune Media
Brett Leslie, Senior Vice President, FROSCH Travel
Cathy Sharpe, Director, Global Travel & Expense Management Services, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Charlie Sultan, SVP of Supplier Services, Concur
Anthony Toth, Managing Director, Western Division, United Airlines
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U.S. Passport Innovation - Change is on the Horizon
Tuesday, 1:00- 2:00pm
Are you and your travellers prepared for the changes to the
US Passport policies? Get an inside peak
at upcoming changes to the U.S. passport, passport policies and how the State
Department is preparing for an impending surge of passport applications. This session will also supply important
resources for obtaining State Department travel information and outline what
the U.S. government can and cannot do for Americans facing passport and travel
emergencies.This is a must attend
session for Corporate Travel Managers to promote smart and safe travel.
Speakers:
Britany Williams, Director, Dallas Passport Agency, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Rory Wyatt, Deputy Director, Dallas Passport Agency, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State
TUESDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS PART 2
The New Age of Technology – Mobilizing Your Travel Program
Tuesday, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
This is a repeat of the 1:00pm - 2:00pm session.
The next mobile wave is hitting a handset near you - including invisible apps, network arrival notifications, location-driven content auctions, and sponsored data. This time there is nothing the travel manager, the TMC or the GDS can do to control or delay the dramatic and disruptive developments. How well are you positioned to take advantage of these major new opportunities in your global travel program? Johnny Thorsen, travel technology expert, will provide fresh insights that few of us have seen before.
Speaker:
Johnny Thorsen, Senior Director, Value Solutions, SAP Mobile Services
Evolution of the Savings vs Service Challenge
Tuesday, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Research has shown that most companies are planning further changes as the industry continues to observe a general shift toward more traveller centric policies. In this open discussion session, engage with your peers to delve into the lessons from that whitepaper and discuss what you are considering implementing at your company, and hear how it benchmarks with what your peers have planned. Come ready to share, ask questions, and gain new insights into how travel managers are continuing to find new ways to strike a balance between savings and service.
Speakers:
Eric Bailey, Global Travel & Venue Group Lead, Microsoft Global Procurement Group
Kerrie Henshaw-Cox, Global Commercial Lead, AstraZeneca Travel Service
Cassandra Prewett, Manager, Strategic Programs and Procurement, BMO Financial Group
Steve Sitto, Head of Global Travel, Tesla Motors
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Innovation Case Study: Leading the Industry in Travel Data Aggregation & Consolidation
Tuesday, 2:45pm - 3:45pm
This is a repeat of the Monday, 4:00pm-5:00pm session.
Speakers:
Cindy Heston, Director, Travel and Events, Anthem Inc.
Chris Walsh, Business Information Consultant, Anthem, Inc.
Sell it, Don't Tell it! Marketing Tricks that Improve Policy Compliance
Tuesday, 2:45pm - 3:45pm
Marketing influences behaviors and increases memory and recall in a way that simply emailing out a policy change cannot achieve. To drive compliance, use the tricks that marketers use catch people’s attention, influence their choices, and be remembered. Think of this session as Marketing for non-Marketing professionals. No marketing background or experience needed.
Speakers:
Malcolm Lotzof, CEO, INXPO
Jason Cammorata, Director, Strategic Sourcing, MDC Partners
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Using Benchmarking, Research, and Business Intelligence to Eliminate Guess Work
Tuesday, 2:45pm - 3:45pm
Speakers:
Marwan Batrouni, Senior Director, Advito
Lesley O'Bryan, Senior Director, Practice Area Lead, Advito
GENERAL SESSION
Foresight: Make More Creative, Innovative, & Forward Looking Decisions
Tuesday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Dr. Andrew Hines is the Program Coordinator at the University of Houston's Graduate Program in Foresight, and brings with him the experience he has learned as an organizational, consulting and futurist. Andrew is motivated by a professional hunger to make foresight practical and useful. He will provide insight on how your organization can use foresight to make more creative, innovative, and forward looking decisions. He believes that foresight can deliver the insight that is so needed in today's travel industry and the world.
Industry Perspective
David Baga, Chief Business Officer, Lyft
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All subjects, speakers, and session details subject to change. There is no individual session registration. All sessions will fill on a first come, first served basis.