We are proud to present the agenda for this year's The Beat Live, taking place Oct. 3-5 in Atlanta.
In addition to previously confirmed featured speakers, the votes are in for our annual keynote vote contest: The readers of The Beat chose IBM global category leader of T&E Shawn Busby to deliver his keynote address, Becoming The Travel Manager Of The Data-Driven Generation.
The 11th annual event will feature an interview with Delta CEO Ed Bastian,a keynote from Travelport CEO Gordon Wilson and a one-on-one conversation with Greg O'Hara, founder and managing partner of investment firm Certaresandchairman of American Express Global Business Travel. Also, BCD Travel CEO John Snyder will field questions during The Hot Seat session.
The top-four runners-up from our keynote contest will present their topics during a raucous panel discussion moderated by Serko's Tony D'Astolfo: Routehappy CEO Robert Albert (What Corporate Flyers Really Want And How TMCs Can Deliver It); Amadeus EVP for mobile Michael Bayle (Stop Millennializing, Start Mobilizing); Topaz International partner Bradley Seitz (Stop The Boring Games Of Corporate Travel Management Progress); and Festive Road managing partner Caroline Strachan (Swipe Right, Swipe Left: Why RFPs__Like Dating Sites__Are Driving Dysfunctional Relationships).
Among panel topics, we will explore the evolution of travel management company identity and positioning and, separately, gather some corporate travel startups and new entrants to talk about finding their place in the business.
For The Buyers' Table, moderator EAB VP of business solutions Steven Mandelbaum will sit down with fellow corporate travel managers to tackle hot topics.
Last but certainly not least, United Airlines SVP of worldwide sales Dave Hilfman will lead the proceedings as our long-serving master of ceremonies. A special presentation at this year's event will gather friends, colleagues, clients and competitors from Hilfman's past and present to honor his looming retirement with The Roast of Dave Hilfman.
We hope to see you in Atlanta. For more information on The Beat Live and to register at our early-bird rate, which expires this month, check our conference website.