The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) announced keynote speakers for its annual conference June 11-12, 2008, at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.  Headliners include: Joanne Smith, senior vice president in-flight service and global product development for Delta Air Lines; Henry H. Harteveldt, vice president for Forrester Research; and Steve Pinetti, senior vice president marketing for Kimpton Hotels. Holly Hegeman, a leading commentator on the economy, will teach attendees how the economy affects travel marketing.  Harteveldt also serves as the co-chair for the conference along with Susan Black, principal of Susan Black Consulting.

“By selecting Joanne Smith, Steve Pinetti, Holly Hegeman and Henry Harteveldt as keynote speakers for this year’s conference, we have the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s most influential leaders about the hottest topics in travel,” said Joel Chusid, ATME's chairman.  “Their experience and knowledge offer attendees a new outlook on travel marketing success in today's puzzling environment.”

Top executives from the travel industry’s most successful brands will be on hand to discuss the ABCs of travel marketing, including Authenticity, Branding and Customer engagement as ATME explores trends, new technologies, social media, the death of advertising, destination case studies, mobile marketing, niche marketing, as well as culinary, cultural and green tourism.

Conference sessions also will be delivered by leading marketing executives, including:

Susan Black, principal, Susan Black Consulting; Frank Camacho, Staff VP marketing, The Hertz Corporation; Kirk Thompson, VP marketing, Hilton Hotels; Porter Gale, VP marketing, Virgin America Airlines; Chris Baum, SVP, Detroit Metro CVB; Dennis Marzella, CEO, Marzella Associates; Rob O’Keefe, group account director, R&R Partners; Arnie DeGeorge, group creative director, R&R Partners; Peggy Bendel, SVP, Development Counselors International; Madigan Pratt, managing director, Madigan Pratt & Associates; Sarah Rotman Epps, analyst, Forrester Research; Shirley Tafoya, SVP, Travelzoo, Kara Swisher, co-Producer / editor, All Things D, Wall Street Journal; Jeff Varhol, director descriptive & visual content, Travelocity; Jeff Senior, EVP, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Vicki Freed, SVP sales, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines; Terry Jicinsky, SVP marketing, Las Vegas CVA; Pamela Johnston, president, Pamela Johnston, Inc; Andy Rubin, eCommerce marketing strategy, American Airlines; and Holly Hegeman, publisher, Plane Business Banter.

“As we look to the 28th year of this annual conference, ATME remains the place to share in open dialogue, interactive forums and vibrant conference sessions,” said Chusid.  “Each of the gatherings is designed to provide attendees with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to expand their knowledge of the travel marketing industry.”

ATME also will announce winners and present the honors for the 2008 ATLAS Awards during the banquet, sponsored by Discover Network, on June 12. The ATME ATLAS awards honor top executives and companies for innovation, creativity and success. The awards ceremony is highlighted by the presentation of the 2008 ATME Lifetime Achievement Award. Several of the past winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Rossi Ralenkotter, Ted Turner, Bob Dickinson, Roger Ballou, Phil Bakes, Don Daly, Robert Crandall, Barry Sternlicht, Arthur Frommer, Steve Wynn and David Neeleman.