With the U.S. travel industry feeling the effects of the slumping economy, The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) announces its Executive Think Tank to help industry professionals find new markets and methods to help their organizations excel amidst a myriad of industry changes. Centered on the topic of getting new business from the inbound Chinese market, the Think Tank is specifically designed for travel industry executives and offers creative, intimate sessions, as well as intensive learning all in less than 24 hours in Chicago on October 15-16 at the Westin Hotel 

“ATME has created this Think Tank to explore and help answer all the questions marketers have about this virtually untapped but rapidly growing Chinese vacation market,” said Joel Chusid, ATME's chairman and General Manager, North America, Hainan Airlines. “The sessions will include panelists from different segments of the travel industry who are already attracting this crucial group, and they will cover trends, the scope of the demographic and how they book travel, the cultural differences between American and Chinese travelers, and how marketing messages must be communicated in China. Co-Chairs Dennis Marzella and Joseph JaQuay have been working hard to create what we think will be the most meaningful 24 hours a travel marketer will spend outside of the office this year.”

Travel marketing executives already excelling in this market will provide insight and tips as participants discover the issues that most affect the inbound Chinese market. Sessions throughout the twenty-four hour Think Tank incorporate research and data on Chinese consumers, perspectives from destination marketers already tapping into this group, wants and needs of Chinese travelers, and a networking session for attendees to complete the Think Tank.

Conference speakers include:

• Henry Harteveldt, VP and Principal Analyst, Forrester Research
• Helen Marano, Director of Tourism Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce
• Rafael Villanueva, Director of International Sales & Marketing, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
• Christopher Baum, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Joel Chusid, General Manager, NA, Hainan Airlines Corporation
• Frank Haas, Interim Assistant Dean, University of Hawaii School of Travel Industry Management
• Dennis Marzella, CEO, Marzella Associates, Inc.
• Annie Zhang, Director Strategic Initiatives, Discover Network
• Nick Qin, President, China Professional Tours, Inc.