At the event, roughly 500 travel industry professionals will grapple with issues, share case studies and seek solutions for the unprecedented societal, economic, climatological and geopolitical shifts which have significantly and permanently altered our market. Tour operators, tourism boards, specialized travel agents, media and other service providers representing more than 50 countries will gain immediate access to the tools, resources and people needed to rapidly adapt to market shifts.

Networking, business and professional development, education and intensive interaction among the who’s who of adventure travel are event cornerstones.For many of the 300 delegates already registered for this year’s Summit, success will be measured in part by the ability to share their own unique business situations: the sharing of individual experiences in a manner that allows them to gain feedback from experts and fellow delegates who can respond directly to their real-world situation and offer advice, insights and solutions.

Additionally, three new programs - Meeting of the Minds, Collaborative Learning, and Meet the Press – will provide delegates the chance to get directly involved rather than rely exclusively on traditional, conference speaker/panelist programs. Instead, each Summit programs’ success hinges directly upon delegate input, ideas and sharing of real-world case studies.

Additional background on the Summit agenda, special activities, a list of pre-registered delegates, attending press, and information about the growing list of Summit contributors, is available www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com.

Source: http://www.opentravel.org/News/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleID=82

“The vacation rental market segment has seen an amazing amount of consumer interest, online travel player interest and interest by both trade and mainstream press,” said Eric Mason, vice president of global product development, Group RCI/Wyndham Worldwide, the parent company of Endless Vacation Rentals.  “Consumer-facing vacation rental sites are burgeoning, and it’s time to bring some structure to the online distribution of vacation rental inventory.  OpenTravel has created standard messages that have been successfully implemented in other travel segments; it’s time to bring that expertise to the vacation rental market.”

Eric will participate in a panel discussion at the Chicago Seminar entitled:

Distribution Trends in Emerging Travel Segments

Some of the most exciting distribution strategies are coming out of the emerging travel segments - tour operators, activities, vacation rentals, time share and destination management organizations. Join a panel of experts from some of these areas to discuss how standards can support the efforts of these segments.

Moderator:

Susan Black, Managing Partner, Susan Black Associates

Participants:

• Stephen Joyce, CEO, RezGo
• John Lambe, CTO, OpenJaw Technologies
• Eric Mason, Vice President Global Product Development, Group RCI

Other topics on the agenda include:

Getting Started with OpenTravel

Interested in understanding how OpenTravel structures its schemas, and how to approach implementation? Learn what you need to know to be successful using OpenTravel schemas.

Success Stories

Two leading travel companies that use OpenTravel schemas to connect to their trading partners will discuss their implementations. These brief case studies will cover business and technical drivers, messages used, production environment details and outcomes.

Participants:

• Greg Berman, COO and Managing Director, Hotel Booking Solutions, Inc.
• Lew Harasymiw, Director of Interface Solutions, SynXisDistribution
  

Innovation in a Down Economy

In a down economy when money is tight and projects are curtailed, how can travel companies continue to innovate in their distribution strategy? The panel of airline, hotel and rental car distribution executives will share how their companies manage, and the role standards play in their strategy.

Moderator:

Susan Black, Managing Partner, Susan Black Associates

Participants:

• Michelle Aaron, Director of Applications, American Airlines
• Lisa Fues, Director of Reservations, Inventory and Distribution, Marriott International
• James White, Director Global Automation Marketing, Hertz

Click here for more information and to register online!

OpenTravelCSEmergingFinal.doc (141.50 KB)

Adds Representatives from Emerging Travel Segments to Broaden Organization Scope

August 12, 2009 – Boxborough, MA – The OpenTravel Alliance (OpenTravel), the travel industry’s leading distribution specification/standards development organization, announced its board of directors for 2009-2010.  For the first time, the board includes representatives from the timeshare/vacation rental and tour operator segments.

“The travel distribution world is changing, and OpenTravel is changing along with it.  We know emerging travel segments like vacation rental, golf and tour operators are poised to explode their online distribution capabilities,” said Valyn Perini, executive director of OpenTravel.  “With representation on the board from companies in the vanguard of these emerging segments, we are well-positioned to provide to these segments the value of standard messaging and interoperability.”

Air Carrier Board Representatives

Michelle Aaron, Director Application Development, PSS Replacement, American Airlines

Hotel Company Board Representatives

Lisa Fues, Director of Reservations, Inventory and Distribution, Marriott International

Rental Car Company Board Representatives

John Turato, Vice President of Technology, Avis Budget Group
James White, Director of Global Automated Marketing, The Hertz Corporation

At-Large Supplier Board Representative

Eric Mason, Vice President, Global Product Development, Group RCI/Wyndham Worldwide

Non-Supplier Board Representatives

Greg Berman, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director HBSi, an IBS Group Company

Lew Harasymiw, Director of Interface Solutions, SynXis/Sabre

Stephen Joyce, Chief Executive Office, RezGo

Kevin Short, Client Industry Executive for Global Travel and Hospitality, EDS

International Board Representative

John Lambe, Chief Technology Officer, OpenJaw Technologies

“The travel community is made up of so many players, many of which have not been a part of the e-distribution landscape.  I’m excited about the opportunity to help shape distribution standards for the tens of thousands of small businesses that make up the tour and activity segment,” said Stephen Joyce, CEO of RezGo.  “The impact standards will have on this emerging sector will be significant, will help drive local economies, and open up a world of distribution opportunities for enterprises, both large and small.  OpenTravel has a big role to play in fostering innovation in this relatively untapped and under-represented sector of the travel community.”

Upcoming OpenTravel Activities

OpenTravel will hold a half-day event in Chicago on September 15 2009.  The Chicago Seminar will include an overview of OpenTravel processes and schemas, case studies of OpenTravel implementations, and panel discussions covering distribution innovation in a down economy and distribution trends in emerging travel segments.  A range of distribution experts will discuss these topics and answer questions from attendees.  Travel industry expert Susan Black, Managing Partner of Susan Black Associates, will act as moderator.

Click here for more information.
About the OpenTravel Alliance

The OpenTravel Alliance is passionate about solving the problems inherent with connecting multiple systems within the complex travel distribution arena.

OpenTravel’s mission is to engineer specifications that make data transmission flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. OpenTravel creates, expands and drives adoption of open universal data specifications, including but not limited to the use of XML, for the electronic exchange of business information among all sectors of the travel industry.

With a diversified membership representing influential names in all sectors of the travel industry, OpenTravel is comprised of representatives from airlines, car rental firms, hotels, cruise lines, leisure suppliers, service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, and trade associations. Thousands of OpenTravel message structures are in use, carrying tens of millions of messages between trading partners every day.

For more information, visit www.opentravel.org.

Contact: Ms. Valyn Perini

P: +1 978 266 0032

E: valyn.perini@opentravel.org

###

Source: http://www.opentravel.org

Adds Representatives from Emerging Travel Segments to Broaden Organization Scope

August 12, 2009 - Boxborough, MA - The OpenTravel Alliance (OpenTravel), the travel industry’s leading distribution specification/standards development organization, announced its board of directors for 2009-2010.  For the first time, the board includes representatives from the timeshare/vacation rental and tour operator segments.

“The travel distribution world is changing, and OpenTravel is changing along with it.  We know emerging travel segments like vacation rental, golf and tour operators are poised to explode their online distribution capabilities,” said Valyn Perini, executive director of OpenTravel.  “With representation on the board from companies in the vanguard of these emerging segments, we are well-positioned to provide to these segments the value of standard messaging and interoperability.”

Air Carrier Board Representatives

Michelle Aaron, Director Application Development, PSS Replacement, American Airlines
Hotel Company Board Representatives

Lisa Fues, Director of Reservations, Inventory and Distribution, Marriott International
Rental Car Company Board Representatives

John Turato, Vice President of Technology, Avis Budget Group
James White, Director of Global Automated Marketing, The Hertz Corporation

At-Large Supplier Board Representative

Eric Mason, Vice President, Global Product Development, Group RCI/Wyndham Worldwide

Non-Supplier Board Representatives

Greg Berman, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director HBSi, an IBS Group Company

Lew Harasymiw, Director of Interface Solutions, SynXis/Sabre

Stephen Joyce, Chief Executive Office, RezGo

Kevin Short, Client Industry Executive for Global Travel and Hospitality, EDS

International Board Representative

John Lambe, Chief Technology Officer, OpenJaw Technologies

“The travel community is made up of so many players, many of which have not been a part of the e-distribution landscape.  I’m excited about the opportunity to help shape distribution standards for the tens of thousands of small businesses that make up the tour and activity segment,” said Stephen Joyce, CEO of RezGo.  “The impact standards will have on this emerging sector will be significant, will help drive local economies, and open up a world of distribution opportunities for enterprises, both large and small.  OpenTravel has a big role to play in fostering innovation in this relatively untapped and under-represented sector of the travel community.”

Upcoming OpenTravel Activities

OpenTravel will hold a half-day event in Chicago on September 15 2009.  The Chicago Seminar will include an overview of OpenTravel processes and schemas, case studies of OpenTravel implementations, and panel discussions covering distribution innovation in a down economy and distribution trends in emerging travel segments.  A range of distribution experts will discuss these topics and answer questions from attendees.  Travel industry expert Susan Black, Managing Partner of Susan Black Associates, will act as moderator.

Click here for more information.
About the OpenTravel Alliance

The OpenTravel Alliance is passionate about solving the problems inherent with connecting multiple systems within the complex travel distribution arena.

OpenTravel’s mission is to engineer specifications that make data transmission flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. OpenTravel creates, expands and drives adoption of open universal data specifications, including but not limited to the use of XML, for the electronic exchange of business information among all sectors of the travel industry.

With a diversified membership representing influential names in all sectors of the travel industry, OpenTravel is comprised of representatives from airlines, car rental firms, hotels, cruise lines, leisure suppliers, service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, and trade associations. Thousands of OpenTravel message structures are in use, carrying tens of millions of messages between trading partners every day.

For more information, visit www.opentravel.org.

Contact: Ms. Valyn Perini

P: +1 978 266 0032

E: valyn.perini@opentravel.org

###

California Based, Retail Therapy has just gone live with their new online store. Retail Therapy and Sentias software partnered together to bring the brand essence to life, and add full commerce functionality.

Retail Therapy offers edgy and stylish designs for the modern consumer. The site looks great, and is sure to find success.

If you are looking to change your look and feel or add commerce functionality to your boutique web site, contact Sentias.

About Sentias Software Corp.
Sentias is a software development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Sentias develops multi-lingual web-based business software for the apparel and retail industries amongst others. Retail fashion is one of the fastest growing sectors on the Internet. Our expertise in executing successful e-commerce solutions for online retailers can help you take your brand and business to the next level. For more information Sentias, please visit www.sentias.com.

Edge has captured the rustic essence of their mens clothing boutique on their new website, Shop-Edge.com.

July 29, 2008, North Vancouver. When designing his store, Edge, owner Todd Weinberg was inspired by “classic elegance.” He used warm tones, distressed woods, and leather to create a comfortable place for ‘fashion forward’ men to shop. The result was a hit; Tony Patella with Paul Frank Industries stated, “The store is amazing! Easily the best men’s store I’ve seen open in the Bay Area in all of my years with Paul Frank.”

Todd wanted to continue increasing his Edge over the competition by taking his store online. He began searching for a business software and strategy company that had experience with online retail for boutiques. After scouring the Internet he found exactly what he wanted, Sentias Software. Sentias had an extensive clientèle ranging from high-end designers to the celebrity swarmed Kitson LA.

Todd trusted Sentias to capture the essence of his brand, his design and his vision. After hours of consultation and idea sharing, Todd was confident that Sentias had captured his vision. Sentias’ design and development teams then worked together to give his website the style and the e-commerce capabilities that he required using their customizable commerce server. The results have been amazing, visit www.shop-edge.com

About Sentias Software Corp.
Sentias is a software development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Sentias develops multi-lingual web-based business software for the apparel and retail industries amongst others. Retail fashion is one of the fastest growing sectors on the Internet. Our expertise in executing successful e-commerce solutions for online retailers can help you take your brand and business to the next level. For more information Sentias, please visit www.sentias.com.

About Edge
Edge is a new boutique shop for men whose goal is to deliver unique celebrity inspired styles from Los Angeles and New York to the East Bay Area, opening first in Danville, CA. Edge seeks to promote individuality through fashion by bringing an always fresh diversity of unique styles to today’s fashion forward male consumer. For more information please visit www.shop-edge.com

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“I am very proud to have Rezgo.com recognized as a Top 30 company by New Ventures BC.” Said Stephen Joyce, CEO of Sentias Software, the company behind Rezgo. “This recognition really validates all of the efforts our team has put into making an innovative product for tour and activity suppliers and their retailers.”

The New Ventures competition consists of four competitive rounds of increasing complexity, with a jury eliminating businesses after each round. In the words of NVBC Board Member Michael Volker, the jury’s job is to “Pick the most likely to be commercially viable with the greatest value”. In round three the Rezgo team will be paired with two mentors that have both technology and investment and venture capital back grounds. These mentors aim to help NVBC competitors strengthen their business pitches for the final round of the competition.

About Rezgo
Rezgo.com helps tour and activity providers sell their experiences. Suppliers are able to sell through their own Web site, sales desks, call-centers, and through a growing number of sales partners. Rezgo.com is used by OTAs, DMOs and tour and activity providers such as whale watching, sight-seeing, bus tours, bike tours, helicopter tours, river rafting, hiking, adventure tours and many others. Rezgo.com is free to use and provides an impressive array of functions. Rezgo Pro, a premium service, is available for suppliers who require more sophisticated booking capabilities. (www.rezgo.com)

About New Ventures BC
The purpose of the New Ventures BC Competition is to attract venture capital to British Columbia, stimulate employment and wealth creation, motivate researchers and developers to commercialize their ideas, build business skills by bringing entrepreneurs together, and create a diverse investment community by increasing the supply of venture proposals. (www.newventuresbc.com)

“It’s tough to find a talented web designer who understands your requirements since the tech business and the fashion industry are so very different.” Said Deborah Wardell, owner of Sweet Dream Tees Inc. “I needed someone who could pull the vision out of my head and onto the screen in the form of a web site. Sentias has made my site speak for me globally. It is a great tool for flaunting our creations and for introducing them [site guests] to Sweet Dream Tees Inc. virgins and the brand will continue to expand, with Sentias as a great partner.”

The Commerce Server is a powerful, e-commerce application that online retailers use to merchandise and sell through the Internet. The Commerce Server can be used for larger companies such as Kitson LA, as well as scaled down for smaller applications such as Sweet Dream Tees Inc. The Commerce Server has been embraced by online boutiques across Canada and the U.S. for its ability to bring their creative vision to life and also drive sales.

About Sweet Dream Tees, Inc.
Sweet Dream Tees satisfies a void in the marketplace for fashion comprised of luxurious quality, a little bit of frivolity and lots of twinkle. Sweet Dream Tees, Inc. fashions are emblazoned with original artwork, tongue-in-cheek slogans and Swarovski Crystal princess, emerald, marquis, teardrop and baguette cuts. The brand, founded by Deborah Wardell , captures excessive style with a regal-meets-rock ‘n’ roll appeal for babies, kids, tweens and teens, women and men, and the home. We want you to sparkle every day. For more information, go to http://www.sweetdreamtees.com

About Sentias Software Corp.
Sentias is a software development company based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Sentias develops multi-lingual web-based business software for the travel and tourism, and apparel and retail industries. For more information regarding Sentias, go to http://www.sentias.com.

“We are very excited to be included in such a prestigious event,” said Stephen Joyce, CEO of Sentias Software Corp., the company behind Rezgo.com. “Rezgo.com is shaking up the traditional tour and activity distribution model, and we are receiving a lot of praise for it. I think that our innovative ideas will resonate with the attendees of The Travel Innovation Summit and the tour and activity community at large.”

Rezgo.com is one of only two dozen companies invited to the inaugural Travel Innovation Summit. The live demonstration of Rezgo.com booking software will focus on its key competitive differentiators including open connectivity, social computing framework, and unique marketplace integration. Attendees will vote after each demonstration for the top six winners, who will earn one of the coveted “Five Minutes of Fame” presentations during Center Stage at The PhoCusWright Conference later that week. The voting will consider factors such as concept, presentation, ability to execute, business model, and confidence in the company’s future. The five minute Center Stage presentations place the most innovative products and companies in front of the most influential travel industry executives.

“We have some really amazing features that we are developing right now”, added Mr. Joyce “Being part of the Travel Innovation Summit means we’ll have a high profile global stage upon which to showcase the work the Sentias team has been doing over the last two years”.

About The Travel Innovation Summit
For 15 years, The PhoCusWright Conference has been pushing the envelope on travel innovations. The Travel Innovation Summit at The PhoCusWright Conference is a new PhoCusWright event that showcases the travel industry’s hottest, most innovative Web and mobile-based applications. Innovators from around the world demonstrate sites and solutions that will significantly impact travel planning, purchasing and trending. (www.phocuswright.com)

About Rezgo.com
Rezgo.com helps tour and activity companies better manage and sell their experiences. Suppliers are able to sell through their own Web site, sales desks, call-centers, and through a growing number of sales partners. Rezgo.com is used by tour and activity providers such as whale watching, sight-seeing, bus tours, bike tours, helicopter tours, river rafting, hiking, adventure tours and many others. Rezgo.com is free to use and provides an impressive array of functions. Rezgo Pro, a premium service, is available for suppliers who require more sophisticated booking capabilities. (www.rezgo.com)

The goal of the integrated donation “Is twofold” said Stephen Joyce, CEO of Sentias “We wanted to give easy-to-use and accessible tools to tour companies that can really make a difference to their bottom line and the environment.” He continued with “This integration raises consumers awareness of sustainability when they are booking a tour. Travelers are more likely to acknowledge their environmental foot print, and have the power to do something about it.”

“Addressing the challenge of global climate change will require a sustained effort for many years to come.” Says Brian Mullis, CEO of STI. “Supporting legislation that requires mandatory greenhouse gas reductions is a first best solution, reducing CO2 emissions is a second best solution, and offsetting unavoidable emissions is a third best solution.”

Rezgo is the first online booking solution, for tour and activity providers, to integrate a sustainability donation option into the booking process. Rezgo was developed to enable tour and activity providers to accept bookings through their website, and through a growing number of resellers. Rezgo gives tour operators the ability to accept web reservations in a secure, and user friendly manner. This no-contract, no-commission online reservation system makes the booking process easy for Rezgo’s 600+ tour companies and their customers, and best of all, it is free. To sign up for a free account visit Rezgo.com

Founded in 2002, Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and outreach services that help travelers, travel providers and related organizations support environmental conservation and protect cultural heritage while promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development. For more information: www.sustainabletravelinternational.org