Online travel industry giant TripAdvisor will report on the findings of its latest survey of trends and developments from its European Travel Monitor research on Digital Day, the first of two days of NAJ’s NAJ’s RTO Summit East May 2-3 at New York City’s Wyndham New Yorker hotel. TripAdvisor, through its educational arm, Destination Academy with TripAdvisor (DATA), is joining the NAJ Group in sponsoring Digital Day. The May 2 agenda for the Summit features a number of leading experts in the tour and travel industry:
Fred Dixon, president and CEO, New York City & Co.—Welcome Remarks (8:50-9:00 a.m.)
Jake Steinman, founder and CEO, NAJ Group—Overview of the Top Trends in the Receptive Operator Industry. A summary of takeaways gleaned from NAJ’s 2015 “Listening Tour,” where we visited over 30 RTO Offices and personally met with 56 operators in Orlando, New York and Los Angeles. (9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.)
Laszlo Horvath, president and founder, Active Media—How to Use Google Predictive Analytics to Forecast International Intent to Travel to Specific Destinations from a Variety of Source Countries. Bring your laptop as Horvath will walk you through an exercise in how to use Google analystics. (9:30-9:50 a.m.)
Steve Paganelli, head of destination marketing, Americas, TripAdvisor—Key Travel Trends from the UK, Gemany and France. TripAdvisor will be releasing the most recent version of its European Travel Monitor research detailing how international consumers search and book travel. (9:50-10:20 a.m.)
Gio Palatucci, senior social media strategist, Sparkloft Media—When to Use YouTube for Marketing to International. The role of YouTube has grown from a publication tool to a major media channel that is a major search tool and mobile channel. With a sharp rise in search for travel content management of a channel and quality video content is an essential destination tool today–‐ allowing you to create, own and control a powerful cross platform media channel. (10:20-10:45 a.m.)
Coffee Beak (10:45-11:05 a.m.)
Damian Bazadona, CEO, Situation Interactive—Targeting Tactics to Reach Your Audience Online. A seasoned veteran of marketing live Broadway theatre to the international market discusses new ways to reach international consumers pre-arrival and in-market. (11:05-11:25 a.m.)
Thomas Galati, travel account executive, LinkedIn—How to Woo Tour Operators Online. The art of social selling to people who don’t want to hear from you until they need you. (11:25-11:55 a.m.)
Lunch (12:15-1:45 p.m.)
Andew Wiens, international destination market, Trip Advisor—The Power of TripAdvisor for International online Marketing. More than a review site, TripAdvisor has data-driven options that can help international inbound travel marketers isolate targeted source countries for tactical advertising programs that are surprisingly affordable. (1:45-2:15 p.m.)
Erin Francis Cummings, partner, Destination Analysts—State of the International Traveler. Using data from its annual study of internationally-oriented travelers in the top 12 U.S. feeder markets (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea), Destination Analysts will share how international travelers can be reached and influenced, the media they consume, the types of experiences, lodging and dining they desire in the U.S., anticipated spending in the U.S. (including on types of items) and more. (2:15-2:45 p.m.)
Coffee Break (3:00-3:15 p.m.)
Keri Hanson, director, tourism and development, Macys, and New York City & Company—Hansen shares her experiences about some of the creative approaches she has used to brand Macy’s to international visitors both on a pre-arrival and in-market basis. (3:35-4:00 p.m.)
“Genius Bar” Roundtable Discussions. Presenters available for small group consultation sessions. (4:00-5:00 p.m.).
For complete program information on Digital Day—it will be open to tour and travel professionals at an a la carte rate; NYC & Company members receive a $395 discount. visit:http://www.rtosummit.com/rto-summit-east/rto-summit-east-supplier-fees-registration-policy/
