CEOs and Industry Leaders Talk Travel at Center Stage

The afternoon began with CBS’ Travel Editor Peter Greenberg interviewing Richard Anderson, CEO of Delta Air Lines. Anderson discussed transparency in airfares, safety and security in light of recent events and Delta’s loyalty program.

When discussing the business operations at Delta, he told attendees, “We want to be in a position to offer a high quality product for every traveler at every price point.” Greenberg asked him if he could change one thing about Delta, what would that be. Anderson responded that he would want all of Delta’s innovations, modifications and investments that take time to be put in place to be done right now. He sounds like a consumer!

The Executive Leadership Panel: A View Across the Distribution Landscape was moderated by Michelle “Mick” Lee, founder and CEO, WINiT—WomenInTravel; managing director, global head of general services and travel, Citi. She was joined on stage by Donna Kelliher, GBTA president and CEO, travel and corporate services, Dominion; Pam Codispoti, executive vice president and GM, American Express; Cindy Allen, vice president, TMC Services, Concur; Leslie Hunziker, senior vice president, investor relations, Hertz Global Holdings; and, Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president, Best Western.

The prominent industry executive leaders shared their views on the challenges and opportunities facing the travel distribution landscape today. The panel discussed the need to rethink business as usual, the benefits of being agile and the need to take calculated risks.

Attendees then headed off to a lunch session to hear two-time Academy Award Winner, Kevin Spacey.