Business Travel News - September 14, 2009 - (Page Cover1)

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 INSIDE GDSs Finally Deploying New Desktops . . . . . . 3 Delta Returns To Meetings Deals . . . . . . . . . 4 NBTA Adds To Hotel RFP Templates . . . . . . . 7 GDS CEOs See Smoother Airline Talks. . . . . 12 Buyers Fight KLM Card Fee For Agents . . . . 18 3 8 DELTA DEAL INTEGRATOR FARE-SHOPPING INNOVATOR BTNonline.com Air France-KLM’s Holmes develops Ourmières fills top new agent search United States post. process at Broadcom. BTN Recognizes Lichtenstein BY MICHAEL B. BAKER Business Travel News last month named Cisco Systems director of travel, meetings and events Susan Lichtenstein the 2009 Travel Manager of the Year. In two years, Lichtenstein has overseen a consolidation of Cisco’s hotel program to six chains with multiyear contracts and dynamic pricing to simplify negotiating efforts, tighter controls and collaboration in its CISCO’S LICHTENSTEIN meetings program, a restructuring of its airline suppliers and a consolidation to three call centers worldwide. Lichtenstein and her team also enhanced booking and social networking technology to ensure compliance, which TOM YIP Business Travel Cuts Bottoming BY JAY BOEHMER Most Buyers See Spending Flat Or Rising Next Year 2010 business travel spend compared with 2009 About the same 41.3% More ONE-ON-ONE Postmaster: Newspaper Handling/Periodicals Postaage Star Aligns For Departing Kellner Many companies expect to increase trav49% Less el spending next year from what is expect9.7% ed to remain a craterous 2009, but some industry players are convinced it will be a matter of years before they resume pre-reSource: Topaz International survey of 259 travel buyers cession levels, according to speakers at last month’s National Business Travel Associa- out—particularly as corporate travel this tion International Convention in San Diego, year has continued to lag other major travconversations with industry buyers and sup- el segments in showing signs of recovery. Continued on page 19 pliers and recent surveys of corporate travel managers. The industry consensus is REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: NBTA CONVENTION 2009 that the recession’s bottom has been reached, but that Continued on page 20 it likely will be a long slog San Diego—The National Business Travel Association kicked off CONTINENTAL AIRLINES CEO LARRY KELLNER its International Convention & Exposition here last month by naming Michael McCormick as its new executive director and COO and ended it with Hilton Hotels director of Before leaving for private equity firm Emerald Creek Group global travel management Craig LLC at the start of next year, Continental Airlines CEO LarBanikowski becoming the new ry Kellner plans to change airline alliances, implement a NBTA president and CEO. MICHAEL McCORMICK joint venture with key Star Alliance members and deploy a In between, speakers and attennew premium cabin. He spoke with BTN senior editor Jay dees discussed topics including a Boehmer and editor-in-chief David Meyer last month. passenger bill of rights, association merger possibilities, BTN: What are your priorities for the rest of your tenure? fraud detection, private aviation and unbundled fees during Continued on page 26 what NBTA said was its third-largest convention ever, with NBTA Names Exec Director Continued on page 22 Fully Equipped Kitchens • Large Work Spaces • Free Fitness Facilities • Comfortable Recliner • Free Internet • Free Guest Laundry • And More www.CandlewoodSuites.com/home TOM YIP http://www.BTNonline.com http://www.CandlewoodSuites.com/home

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - September 14, 2009

Business Travel News - September 14, 2009
Contents
Inside Track
Profiles In Travel Management
Forum
Aviation
Lodging
Travel Management
EuroBTN

Business Travel News - September 14, 2009