Business Travel News - May 18, 2009 - (Page 2)

NEWS Swine Flu,TARP Response Sidetrack NBTA’s Lobbying Efforts BY JAY BOEHMER When the National Business Travel Association set its government affairs agenda at the beginning of 2009, the usual crop of topics dominated the list: Federal Aviation Administration funding, Transportation Security Administration issues and U.S. entry policies. However, a swirl of rhetoric and regulation in Washington is posing challenges to the corporate travel industry—from travel guidelines for companies receiving funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program to the more Choice Taps Marriott Exec recent round of rhetoric regarding the past three years, and it’s been and to other countries. Those types travel in the time of swine flu—and the busiest few months I’ve ever of things can have tremendous imhave taken center stage in the asso- seen,” said Monument founder and pacts,” Verdery said. “The TARP ciation’s lobbying efforts. partner Stewart Verdery. “That’s be- stuff has been more complicated. NBTA last month reported cause the industry is under a lot of It’s part government, part media and $50,000 in expenses related to lob- stress.” part corporate behavior. Congress bying during the first three months According to public lobbying dis- passed something that said they of the year through closures released last have to require boards of directors the Monument Policy For on-demand Webcasts, month, issues NBTA to have policies, but they didn’t resee btnonline.com/Webcasts Group, whose client has sought to lobby on ally say what those policies have to Continued on page 8 roster also includes the U.S. Travel include FAA reauthorization, the Association and companies outside global entry program and Secure of the travel industry. Flight, among others. “I’ve been doing work for the trav“We put together a policy agenda el industry in this type of role for at the beginning of the year and two things that weren’t on it, which has probably made us the most busy, were the meetings regulation issues—the TARP stuff—then more recently the flu. It’s interesting how quickly things change,” Verdery said. Michael Murphy, a former Marriott InternaInfluenza A (H1N1), more comtional executive, this month began work headmonly known as swine flu, has been ing global sales and intermediary marketing efmore a matter of making “sure that forts at Choice Hotels International. the politicians and the officials unChoice—which franchises more than 5,800 derstand that rhetoric has impacts SMITH TRAVEL RESEARCH PRESIDENT hotels under brands including Comfort Inn and and to be very careful in the way MARK LOMANNO, PAGE 18 Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, they describe what the rule should MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay— be for travel in the U.S., to the U.S. appointed Murphy, a 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry, as its vice president of global sales. Murphy most recently served as senior vice president of sales for Marriott and also has worked in senior sales and marMay 18, 2009 Issue 675 Vol. 26, No. 7 keting roles at Renaissance and Stouffer Hotels. “Michael will play a leading role in elevating Choice’s global sales efInside Track: Sabre, Lufthansa deal adds opt-in. . . . . . 4 forts as we continue to focus on delivering more business directly to 25 Choice-branded hotels,” Choice chief marketing officer Chris Malone said Profiles In Travel Mgmt.: Parexel goes global . . . . . . . . . . 6 25 YEARS OF BTN in a statement. “Michael and his organization will also concentrate on helpForum: Consultant Caldwell weighs Facebook risk . . 13 Movers, shakers ing our owners and operators take advantage of the many resources availmade the news. able to maximize property-level sales.” Aviation: Business jets plummet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 In a statement provided to BTN, Murphy said one of his top goals would Lodging: Analysts downgrade hotel view . . . . . . . . . 18 be to further leverage the global distribution of Choice’s brand portfolio, matching customers with the most appropriate lodging products. He also Meetings Today: Third party taps Scypinski, Shea . . 20 wants to drive innovations through the Choice Privileges rewards proDestinations: Javits tries smaller growth plan . . . . . 22 gram and the better use of technology, and “implement a strategic account management structure within the global sales team which recogSilver Anniversary Celebration: BTN turns 25 . . . . . 25 nizes and rewards our best customers.” Murphy also will serve as Choice’s primary liaison with travel industry FIND DAILY NEWS UPDATES AND MORE AT WWW.BTNONLINE.COM associations and conferences, the chain said. BTN (USPS 0728-870, ISSN 8750-3670) is published semi-monthly, except monthly in January, February, May, July and December, by Nielsen Business Additionally this month, Choice hired Cindy Murphy—no relation to Media Inc.,770 Broadway,New York,NY 10003,tel.646-654-5000,and is distributed free of charge to qualified corporate travel buyers and travel agents specializing in business travel in the United States and Canada. The cost of a subscription to non-qualified subscribers is $119 in the U.S.; $135 in Michael—as the director of hotel performance support for its Cambria Canada; $135 in Mexico and Central America; $200 in South America and Europe; and $200 in Asia,Africa and Australia; payable in advance in U.S. dollars. Suites brand. Cindy Murphy, who most recently worked for InterContiRegistered for GST as Nielsen Business Media Inc. USA GST No. 124513185. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No.40031729.Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:DHL Global Mail 4960-2 Walker Road,Windsor,ON N9A 6J3. nental Hotels Group in leadership positions for its Hotel Indigo and HoliBusiness Travel News is a trademark owned exclusively by Nielsen Business Media Inc.Copyright © 2009 by Nielsen Business Media Inc.Reproduction of this day Inn brands, will work with hotel owners and management to enhance magazine,in whole or in part,is prohibited unless authorized by the publisher.Editorial and advertising offices:770 Broadway,New York,NY 10003.For address changes (please include mailing label), single copy sales ($10 per issue including shipping and handling, prepayment required), subscription information, and local sales, revenue management, service and operations. other customer service inquiries,write to Business Travel News,P.O.Box 1187,Skokie,IL 60076,or call 847-647-7987 outside the U.S. ON THE RECORD NEWSMAKER “With Q1 behind us, it is clear that declining room rates are taking a harder toll on hotel performance than we were expecting.” CONTENTS —Michael B. Baker POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to BTN, P.O. Box 1187, Skokie, IL 60076. Printed in the USA. 2 Monday, May 18, 2009 www.BTNonline.com Business Travel News http://www.btnonline.com/Webcasts http://WWW.BTNONLINE.COM http://www.BTNonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - May 18, 2009

Business Travel News - May 18, 2009
Contents
Inside Track
Profiles In Travel Management
Forum
Aviation
Lodging
Meetings Today
Destinations
Silver Anniversary Celebration

Business Travel News - May 18, 2009