New York : The New York Times Travel Show has announced that the Trade Day schedule of conferences, workshops and a preview of the show floor for travel industry professionals attending on Friday, Feb. 26. This year's keynote speaker for the Travel Industry Conference is Chris Russo, president and chairman of the board for the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). The Travel Show and the Travel Industry Conference will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The Trade Day hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission to the Conference is $20 ($30 at the door). For a complete schedule of seminars and to register online, please visit www.nytimes.com/travelshow .
This year's Travel Industry Conference will feature 34 seminars with more than 50 top industry executives in seven targeted conferences. The seminars will provide a comprehensive overview of the travel industry to travel agency owners, managers, line agents, home-based agents and meeting planners. The scheduled Conferences are:
•Focus On Africa - Travel agents will learn detailed information on travel to Africa.
•Focus On the Caribbean - Travel agents will learn detailed information on travel to the Caribbean.
•Focus On Cruising - Travel agents will learn the latest on cruise travel.
•Focus On Meetings - Meeting planners (only) will learn about the latest travel-related Solutions.
•Focus On Specialization - Travel agents will learn how to increase travel specialization skills.
•S3 (Supplier Supported Solutions) Forum - (by invitation only) - Travel agency owners and managers (only) will learn
About the latest tools and solutions:
•Focus On Travel Media - Travel media, writers and public relations executives (only) will learn how to use travel media more effectively.
At 2 p.m., following the conference sessions, registrants will have an opportunity to preview the show floor with nearly 500 exhibitors representing more than 150 countries. At 5 p.m., the Trade Day concludes with the Travel Industry Reception, which will be held on the show floor.
The Travel Show has also announced the Trade Advisory Board. Fourteen travel industry leaders have assisted in the ongoing development of the Travel Show and the Travel Industry Conference:
•Donna Flora, vice president, Travel Industry Relations, American Express
•Bill Maloney, president, American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
•Kathryn Monaco, president, Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA)
•Fernando Abreu, director, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)
•Paul Zar, senior vice president, Travel Impressions
•Terry Dale, president, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
•James Shillinglaw, editor in chief, Performance Media Group
•Michelle Fee, C.E.O., Cruise Planners
•Dan Paradiso, president, Meeting Planners International (MPI GNY)
•John Peters, president and C.E.O., Tripology
•Sandy McDowell, president, Specialty Travel Agents Association (STAA)
•Debbie Maier, president, MailPound
•Lillian Africano, chair, Society of American Travel Writers Northeast Chapter (SATW)
•Bob Whitley, president, United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
The New York Times Travel Show will take place in the main hall located on the south side of the Javits Center. The strategic focus of the event is to encourage consumers to book vacations and take advantage of the many on-site special offers available only during the Travel Show.
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