BTCradio

Registered Traveler

[20 min.] In this thought-provoking interview with FLO Corporation CEO Glenn Argenbright, we examine the status of the Registered Traveler (RT) industry, the FLO product offering and the prospects for RT-industry stakeholders, including a look at the risky strategy the major network airlines are pursuing.

PART I - CRS Customer Hearing - Welcome!

[8 min.] Business Travel Coalition Chairman Kevin Mitchell outlines the genesis, purpose and objectives of the CRS Customer Leadership Hearing conducted on 20 September in Brussels, Belgium and provides a high-level overview of the deepening concerns over how DG TREN is conducting its review of the CRS Code of Conduct. See related stories from the Wall Street Journal here and Business Travel Europe here.

PART II - CRS Customer Hearing - Keynote Address

[20 min.] Michel de Blust, Secrétaire Général, ECTAA, provides an overview of the EU CRS reform process and frames the problem with the Commission’s recent redefinition of what constitutes a Parent Carrier under the CRS Code of Conduct. The PowerPoint presentation can be accessed here.

PART III - CRS Customer Hearing - Witness Testimony

[2 hrs.] This is the main event were Witnesses provide opening Statements and Questioners persue various lines of inquiry. Jonathan French, IAPA, presides a Hearing Chairman. The Witnesses are Philippe Eydaleine, Air France Permanent Representative in Brussels and David Schwarte, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Sabre Holdings. In addition to Mr. French, the Questioners are Paul Tilstone, ITM, Christine R. Dunton-Tinnus, ACTE, Lorraine Mallinder, European Voice, Dirk Rogl, FVW and Stanley Slaughter, Business Travel Europe.

PART II - Canadian Travel Distribution (WestJet presentation)

[16 min] BTC conducted a Webcast on September 11 to update the industry on the problems travel management companies and corporate travel managers are experiencing in Canada with airfare fragmentation and the associated expensive workarounds. Low-fare pioneer WestJet made a presentation and limited-time offer to corporate travel managers. The associated PowerPoint presentation can be viewed here.

PART I - Canadian Travel Distribution (BTC presentation)

[18 min] BTC conducted a Webcast on September 11 to update the industry on the problems travel management companies and corporate travel managers are experiencing in Canada with airfare fragmentation and the associated expensive workarounds. Low-fare pioneer WestJet made a presentation and limited-time offer to corporate travel managers. The associated PowerPoint presentation can be viewed here.

EU - US Open Skies

[18 min] This is a Special Edition of BTC Radio on the eve of an historic vote that would represent a breakthrough in trade liberalization in commercial air transportation between the United States and the European Union. The vote is scheduled for tomorrow, 22 March 2007 in the European Commission’s Transport Council.

My guest for this show is Paul Mifsud, vice president of government and legal affairs, USA, for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Mr. Mifsud is the preeminent expert in this area, having been knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands for his significant contributions to air trade liberalization.

EU CRS Deregulation Show 3

[10 min] This is the third and final show in a series on EU CRS deregulation. During this show we will discuss where the EU regulatory process presently stands, along with potential outcomes, including one very innovative proposal. Importantly, we will also explore how corporate travel managers can engage the European Commission to safeguard their companies' interests.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives is the Official Sponsor of this educational series and Business Travel Europe is the Media Partner.

EU CRS Deregulation Show 2

[10 min] For the past 18 years, the EU CRS Code of Conduct (Regulation 2299/89) has protected purchasers of travel. In part two of this three-part series on EU CRS deregulation, we examine how the EU market differs from the U.S.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives is the Official Sponsor of this educational series and Business Travel Europe is the Media Partner.

ITM, GTMC Discuss UK Travel Distribution

[20 min] This Show features a detailed discussion with leading UK travel Association executives regarding travel distribution system reform. Paul Tilstone, Executive Director of the UK and Ireland’s Institute of Travel Management, and Philip Carlisle, Chief Executive Officer of London-based Guild of Travel Management Companies, share what they believe stakeholders need to know; need to do to protect their interests; and why there is reason for hope.

EU CRS Deregulation Show 1

[14 min] For the past 18 years, the EU CRS Code of Conduct (Regulation 2299/89) has protected purchasers of travel. Now, that protection is poised at the precipice.

In a three-part series, over the next several weeks we will examine the issue - chronicling the context of current CRS regulations, defining how the EU market differs from that in the U.S., and finally taking a long, hard look at what partial, or wholesale, CRS deregulation could mean to corporate buyers of air transportation services, travel management companies and consumers.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives is the Official Sponsor of this educational series and Business Travel Europe is the Media Partner.

Travel Distribution System Reform

[42 min] A Special Advocacy edition of BTC Radio, Talking Business Travel regarding travel distribution system reform with guests:

Jay Campbell, Chief Content Officer at ProMedia.travel and Founder of The Beat; Paul Ruden, SVP Legal & Industry Affairs, The American Society of Travel Agents; Jean Covelli, Travel Administrator, Rich Products Corporation; and Brad Seitz, Treasurer and Board Member, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, and President of Topaz International.

Registered Traveler

[45 min] During this show, we will examine the Registered Traveler program from many angles. If your job calls for you to be informed about this program, you will not want to miss this show. Guests include business traveler Henry Morgan, Regional Manager, Highline Products; Dr. Stephen Van Beek, Executive Director for Policy at Airports Council International, North America; Steven Brill, Founder & CEO, Verified Identity Pass, Inc.; Lawrence Zmada, Partner, Homeland Security, Unisys; Dean Sivley, Chief Operating Officer & General Manager, Orbitz for Business / Travelport; and Stephanie Rowe, Assistant Administrator for Transportation, Threat Assessment and Credentialing at the Transportation Security Administration.

Mileage Pro Book Discussion

[40 min] This week on BTC Radio we will discuss a new book, actually one of the few books ever written on airline Frequent Flyer programs and examine the state of play in this very interesting industry. My guest for the whole show is well known loyalty program expert Randy Peterson, who along with Frequent Flyer guru Tim Winship, wrote Mileage Pro, The Insider's Guide To Frequent Flyer Programs. We will examine trends in this industry, why this book could be valuable to novice as well as seasoned business travelers, whether Frequent Flyer programs' best days are behind them and what's ahead in the next couple of years.

EU CRS Deregulation Update

[26 min] This week BTC Radio will update its October 23rd radio show on European Union CRS deregulation. Guests are, from Brussels, Belgium, Brandon Mitchener, Deputy Director of the Coalition for Fair Access to Reservations in Europe and from Washington, DC, Bruce Charendoff, SVP, Sabre Holdings. During this show, we will examine a startling development, that if not effectively challenged, will lead to significantly higher business airfares in many European markets. Guests will outline ways corporate travel managers, travel agencies, industry and consumer Associations and other stakeholders can engage this issue and make a difference.