The readers of The Beat chose tClara managing partner Scott Gillespie to deliver a keynote address at The Beat Live, taking place at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile from Oct. 18 to 20.
Gillespie won with his pitch, Cost Is Not King: These Four New Metrics Will Reinvent Corporate Travel, in which he will examine how obsession over cost savings in travel management deteriorates long-term value. Gillespie's keynote will examine new metrics on traveler friction and "the cost of traveler wear and tear" while examining the value of traveler-friendly programs.
Runners-up who will present their topics during a panel discussion moderated by Deem's Tony D'Astolfo are: Travelport's Nathan Bobbin (There Has Never Been A Better Time To Launch A Travel Startup), AmTrav Corporate Travel's Jeff Klee (TMCs Need A Blank Slate And A Sledgehammer__Or They Risk Irrelevancy), Cornerstone Information Systems' Mat Orrego (It's Time We Tear Down Our Walls
) and Amadeus North America's Jay Richmond (The Benefits And Risks Of Personalization And Relevant Content For Travelers).
Congratulations to our winner and the runners-up and thanks to everyone who submitted a pitch. Also, thanks to all The Beat readers who voted for their favorites.
Find the full agenda for The Beat Live here and register here. Our early-bird rate expires this Thursday, Sept. 1.