Readers of
The Beat selected this option among a choice of five excellent pitches for a speech at
The Beat Live. The other candidates will join a Tuesday morning panel discussion, "The Views," in which they will offer a shortened version of their pitches. Click here for
the conference agenda.
What will you speak about?
A wave of Web 2.0, social networking and mobile technologies is changing the travel industry. One example is TripIt, which enables travelers to organize, share and improve travel experiences.
After decades of debating open travel standards and Super PNRs, power is shifting to consumers--and it is working. Travelers are creating millions of itineraries on TripIt, which are automatically processed into data that is leveraged to get weather, maps and directions or track flights and frequent flyer miles, and more.
With such a free and open service, travelers can combine booking confirmation emails from hundreds of sources (including most corporate travel agencies) into a master itinerary. And the API enables agencies and booking sites to access the TripIt platform, making it easier for travelers to manage all their travel information in one place, no matter where they booked.
Behind the story about TripIt are interesting trends and market forces at work.
Why should the audience listen?
These forces are impacting everyone in the travel industry. Travelers and their employers are demanding tools that work with the new web, social and mobile services.
How will you avoid a sales pitch?
Gregg will focus on the industry and consumer trends that have influenced TripIt's evolution, using TripIt and other companies as case studies. Also note that TripIt is a free service.
What insight do you want The Beat readers to share in advance, to help you prepare for your presentation?
Come prepared to think about how your company is meeting traveler needs. Do you know how many people at your company are using social networking tools? What’s your company’s approach towards closed and open systems, and how does that fit with what travelers want?
