Hear Hospitality Experts Address E-Distribution Developments at HEDNA University & HEDNA 2001Global Meeting Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., United States May 14-18, 2001

Press Release
March 27, 2001
HEDNA UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS

May 14 - Essentials of Electronic Distribution for the Hotel Industry This one-day workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of the hotel's role in e-distribution marketing.

May 15 - Marketing Dynamics of Electronic Distribution for the Hotel Industry In this one-day workshop, participants will gain insights into marketing opportunities available via global distribution systems and the Internet.

HEDNA 2001 GLOBAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

MAY 16 8:25 a.m.-9:40 a.m. Jim Moore, Author & Founder/Chairman GeoPartners Research Mr. Moore will present the ubiquitous ecosystems approach to strategy making. This new business model outlined in his book, The Death of Competition: Leadership and Strategy in an Age of Business Ecosystems, is hailed by such leaders of the new economy as Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Intel and Softbank.

10:35 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. Executive Forum, Co-opetition and E-Commerce Moderator: Scott W. Anderson, President & CEO of Richfield Hospitality Participants: Michael Madison, CEO of andbook; John Paul Nichols, Executive VP of Sales & Marketing for Cendant Hotels; and Jeff Senior, VP of Sales & Marketing for Kimpton Group. Executive Forum participants will present their perspectives on such e-commerce tools as Honest Broker and andbook.com, whether to build these sites alone or in partnership with other hotel companies, and the benefits and pitfalls of these distribution methods.

11:35 a.m. - 12:55 p.m. Emerging Technologies: Channel Management Bernard Ellis, VP of Product Strategy for SynXis and Gayle Fitzgerald, VP of Distribution for Mirage These speakers will discuss new distribution channels while providing an overview of channel management automation for hotels, vendors and individual travelers and groups.

2:20 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. (Two Concurrent Panel Sessions) E-Customer Care Moderator: John Misiag, President of Strategic e-Business Solutions, Inc. Mr. Misiag will lead a discussion on integrating supplier and third party web sites, call centers and hotel front desks for optimal customer service.

Challenges Facing Travel Agents Here a forum of travel industry press representatives talk about the challenges and opportunities facing travel agents in today's electronic marketplace.

4:35 p.m. - 6:05 p.m. Around the World in 90 Minutes Speakers: David Vis, Managing Director, EMEA, LastMinuteTravel.com, and Anna Pollock, International Consultant These two hospitality experts will take attendees on a global tour of technology trends that impact the hospitality business and highlight how e-business integration varies by culture and geography.

TECH SHOWCASE: Learn about the latest products and services shaping 
the global electronic hotel distribution industry in 
this hands-on Tech Showcase. 

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six 

       2301 Southeast 17th St. Causeway 

       Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 

       United States 

       Phone: 954/525-6666 

       Reservations: 800/327-3796 

       Fax: 954/728-3541 

REGISTRATION: On or before April 20: $495.00 (U.S.) 

After April 20: $545.00 (U.S.) 


Visit www.hedna.org. or call 703/837-6181.

ABOUT HEDNA: The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association

(HEDNA) is a not-for-profit trade association whose worldwide membership includes executives and managers from over 200 of the most influential companies in the hotel distribution industry. Founded in 1991, HEDNA strives to stimulate the booking of hotel rooms through the use of GDSs, the Internet and other electronic means. HEDNA brings all segments of the hospitality industry together to determine how to most effectively evolve their systems and services to contribute to the success and revenue growth of electronic distribution for hotels. For additional information, please visit www.hedna.org .

-------------------------------------------

Contact: 
     HEDNA
     Julia O'Brien, 703/837-6155
     jobrien@disa.org