ProcureCon Travel 2025
May 13 - 15, 2025
JW Marriott LA LIVE
Day 1: Monday, June 3, 2024
THEME: Keep Calm, Carry On: A Guide to Transforming Travel Procurement Strategies
7:30 am - 8:10 am
Registration And Breakfast In The Solutions Zone
8:10 am - 8:25 am
Opening Remarks & Cleared For Takeoff And Charity Challenge
John Ward -
Program Director,
ProcureCon Travel
8:25 am - 8:45 am
Morning Mind-Sharing Meetup - Mastering The Ultimate Travel Program: Unveiling Game-changing Do's And Don'ts For Strategic Success
Fuel your morning with a stimulating mindshare exercise designed to engage, enlighten, and evolve. We’re not just setting the tone but pioneering conversations that matter. We're rolling out a dynamic platform where brainstorming meets expertise. Get ready to reimagine your travel strategy by unveiling the game-changing Do's and Don’ts pivotal for driving unparalleled success.
1. Best Practices & Benchmarks Breakouts: You’ll be diving into focused discussions, steered by our illustrious Advisory Board members. In these micro-think tanks, you will:
- Exchange best practices
- Delve into industry benchmarks
- Co-create solutions
The topics are pivotal, contemporary, and specially curated:
- Supplier Relationships: Crafting symbiotic alliances and redefining partnerships for maximum ROI.
- Sustainability: Driving a greener travel footprint, one trip at a time.
- Travel Experience: Enhancing user experience to ensure seamless, enjoyable journeys.
- Payments (Legislation): Navigating the maze of payments while staying compliant and efficient.
- Tech & Innovation: Leveraging technology to stay ahead and innovate at scale.
- Cyber Security/Duty of Care: Shielding stakeholders, securing data, and safeguarding travels.
8:45 am - 9:05 am
Mindshare Synthesis on Mainstage
Kim Hamer -
Partner,
Results Plus Consulting
Mira Rosenzweig -
Global Travel Manager,
Pinterest
Rick Wakida -
Global Travel Manager,
Informatica
Darlene Fitzsimmons -
Travel Manager,
Stagwell Global
Makiko Barrett -
Procurement Manager - Travel Services,
TikTok
Teddy Oberts -
Sourcing Manager – Corporate Travel,
Salesforce
Karen Hutchings -
Founder,
Cobb & Hutch Consulting
Witness a confluence of ideas as our Advisory Board table leaders converge on the main stage. They will:
- Share collective insights
- Reflect on groundbreaking suggestions
- Discuss overarching themes and breakthrough ideas
Our Distinguished Advisory Board: Spearheading these strategic sessions are our Advisory Board members – a blend of industry stalwarts and visionary thinkers. As table leaders, they’ll channel discussions, share their expertise, and bridge the gap between challenges and solutions.
9:05 am - 9:10 am
Chairman Remarks
Karen Hutchings -
Founder,
Cobb & Hutch Consulting
9:10 am - 9:30 am
Keynote- At Cruising Altitude: An Industry Perspective From 45,000 FT
Danielle Cavnor -
Senior Manager, US Procurement and Travel Operations,
PWC
Karen Hutchings -
Founder,
Cobb & Hutch Consulting
In the upcoming keynote "At Cruising Altitude: An Industry Perspective From 45,000 FT," Eric Gray and Danielle Cavnor from PWC will offer insightful projections into the future trends and directions of the travel industry. They will discuss the anticipated changes driven by evolving consumer demands and technological advancements, emphasizing the need for adaptability and innovation in procurement and travel operations. The keynote will include a forward-looking analysis of how global events are expected to influence travel dynamics and how businesses can strategically adapt their travel policies for efficiency and sustainability.
Key Takeaways:
- Adaptability to Emerging Trends
- Embracing Technological Innovations
- Focusing on Sustainable and Efficient Travel
9:30 am - 9:50 am
Partner Keynote: Unlock Extended Stay Lodging: Why Consolidation With Your Hotel Program Is The Key To Cost Savings
Jessica Dunderdale -
Senior Director of Client Partnership,
AltoVita
Beverly King -
Vice President of Client Partnerships,
AltoVita
9:50 am - 10:30 am
Panel: From Booking to Boarding: How tech is Transforming Travel Management
Rita Visser -
Director Global Travel Sourcing & GPO,
Oracle
David Kern -
Vice President, Global Procurement,
TripAdvisor
Colleen Kearney -
Global Corporate Travel Leader,
Raytheon Technologies
Sean Parham -
Sr. Manager, Travel & Meeting Services,
Discord Inc
Carrie Hartman -
President,
3Sixty
Brian Butler -
Chief Revenue Officer,
Traxo
Karen Hutchings -
Founder,
Cobb & Hutch Consulting
In this insightful panel discussion, we will explore the revolutionary impact of technology on the travel management sector. The panelists will share their unique perspectives on how digital advancements are reshaping the way corporations manage travel, from booking processes to the boarding experience. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest technological innovations, strategies for implementing these technologies, and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in corporate travel.
Key Takeaways:
- Innovations in Digital Travel Management: Discover the latest technological advancements that are simplifying and enhancing the booking and travel management process
- Strategies for Implementation and Adoption: Learn about effective strategies to integrate new technologies into existing corporate travel systems
- Future Outlook and Challenges: Gain insights into the future trends in travel technology
10:30 am - 10:50 am
Partner Keynote: Elevating Your Business Travel Strategy – Implementing Internal Carbon Pricing
Susan Austin -
Global Practice Line Lead for Sustainability,
American Express Global Business Travel
Carbon pricing – definition - carbon pricing refers to initiatives that put an explicit price on GHG emission (World Bank) – may be a government program (like ETS) or may be an internal pricing mechanism for corporates
Why can a carbon pricing be important to a travel / procurement director
- Common practice across companies: “nearly half of world’s 500 biggest companies by market cap” either put a price on carbon or plan to do so in next five years” (source CDP) – having a program like this prepares a travel program to support enterprise activity
- Educates travelers about impact of their trip and expresses travel program’s commitment to ensure that travel powers progress
- Allows travel program decision makers (commodity owners) to assess a total cost of trip with air fares, quality of service, and emissions impact for air sourcing and program management
- Quantifies opportunities a strategic travel program can collaborate with enterprise sustainability teams
- Can be implemented two ways
- A real carbon price can create a centralized budget for other initiatives – SAF, carbon compensation – low-carbon investments and changing behaviors
- A shadow carbon price allows a travel manager / enterprise teams analyze and plan for additional activity
Susan Austin
Global Practice Line Lead for SustainabilityAmerican Express Global Business Travel
10:50 am - 11:35 am
Morning Networking And Refreshment Break: Lounge In The Solutions Zone
11:35 am - 12:35 pm
Interactive Roundtable Discussions
Martha Ferguson -
Director of Global Travel Services,
Lazard
Fiona Lapoint -
Director, Global Travel,
Cargill
Sean Parham -
Sr. Manager, Travel & Meeting Services,
Discord Inc
Olga Shchukin -
Global Travel, Meetings & Events Category Manager,
Kenvue
Michael Beckwith -
Category Manager, Staff Augmentation, Corporate Card and Travel,
Xcel Energy
Kevin Coffey -
Travel Security & Meeting Risk Advisor and Trainer | People Risk Management Evangelizer,
Kevincoffey.com
Deborah Mahoney -
Head of Sales and Business Development North America,
Cytric East by Amadeus
Each attendee selects 2 roundtable conversations to attend within the hour, and they run concurrently for 30-minutes each. Each participant then switches and moves to their second roundtable conversation for the second half of the hour.
- Build Your Own Booking Technology, Hosted by Deborah Mahoney, Head of Sales and Business Development North America for Cytric East by Amadeus
- Duty of Care: Ensuring the well-being of employees during travel Hosted, Larry Bryant, Director Global Sales, citizenM
- Traveler Satisfaction vs. Cost Savings: Finding the right balance. Martha Ferguson, Director of Global Travel Services, Lazard
- Local vs. Global Sourcing: The environmental and ethical considerations.- Fiona Lapoint, Director, Global Travel, Cargill
- Remote Work and its Impact on Corporate Travel: Will the rise of remote work significantly reduce the need for corporate travel? Sean Parham, Sr. Manager, Travel & Meeting Services, Discord Inc
- What’s Next With NDC - Olga Shchukin, Global Travel, Meetings & Events Category Manager, Kenvue
- Vendor Compliance with Expense Platforms, Michael Beckwith, Category Manager, Staff Augmentation, Corporate Card and Travel, Xcel Energy
- Travel Security & Saftey, Kevin Coffey
- Global Card Programs – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Kelly Christner, Manager, Global Travel & Expense, Allegion
- On-Boarding New Employes into Your Travel Program. Fran McClarnon, Global Travel & Corporate Credit Card Services, IPG
Michael Beckwith
Category Manager, Staff Augmentation, Corporate Card and TravelXcel Energy
Kevin Coffey
Travel Security & Meeting Risk Advisor and Trainer | People Risk Management EvangelizerKevincoffey.com
Deep Dive Working Groups
Attendees of ProcureCon Travel will break into these working group sessions, facilitated by an expert and two procurement practitioners, who will guide the group toward crafting an action plan of five ideas that you can implement immediately to begin getting results back in the office. The results will be reported back to the entire group during the afternoon sessions. Each group is limited to 25 participants to ensure practical takeaway.
Join our dynamic workshop, where we dive deep into the art of mastering supplier negotiations. This hands-on session is designed to empower you with actionable strategies, transforming how you negotiate with suppliers.
Key Highlights:
Strategic Mastery in Negotiations: Immerse yourself in learning and mastering cutting-edge negotiation techniques.
A Trailblazing Journey in Budget-Conscious Travel Innovation. This group is your gateway to revolutionizing your travel program without breaking the bank.
Key Features:
- Innovation Within Reach
- Transforming Travel on a Budget
Implementing Sustainable Practices in Travel Procurement? This is where you'll learn to intertwine sustainability with efficiency in your travel procurement strategy, paving the way for a greener, more responsible future in corporate travel.
Key Highlights:
- Sustainability Meets Strategy
- Collaborative Learning and Innovation
- Actionable Roadmap for Change
Welcome to the Definitive Working Group Mastering Expense Management: Success Strategies for This Time and Beyond'. This session is dedicated to revolutionizing the way your organization handles expense management, ensuring you get it right this time and maintain this success into the future.
Key Highlights:
- Revolutionizing Expense Management
- Delve into innovative strategies and best practices that transform the traditional approach to expense management.
- Learn how to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and reduce errors, ensuring a system that works flawlessly
2:45 pm - 3:25 pm
Networking Break In The Solutions Zone
Track A: Tech & Innovation
3:25 pm - 3:35 pm Track Chair RemarksTrack A: Tech & Innovation
3:35 pm - 4:15 pm Panel: Automate, Innovate, Elevate: How AI is Changing the Landscape of Corporate Travel Procurement Makiko Barrett - Procurement Manager - Travel Services, TikTok Kim Hamer - Partner, Results Plus Consulting Leslie Andrews - Global Category Leader – Travel Corporate Procurement, JLL Rafael Rosario - Global Travel Manager, Bloomberg Karen Hutchings - Founder, Cobb & Hutch ConsultingIn this engaging session, industry experts will explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in corporate travel procurement. The panel will delve into how AI technologies are automating complex processes, fostering innovation, and elevating the efficiency of travel management. Attendees will gain insights into the latest AI advancements, practical applications in travel procurement, and strategies for integrating AI to optimize cost, compliance, and traveler experience. This session is designed for corporate travel managers, procurement professionals, and technology enthusiasts eager to understand and leverage the power of AI in the ever-evolving domain of corporate travel.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how AI is simplifying and automating intricate tasks in travel procurement.
- Learn about cutting-edge AI tools and technologies that are revolutionizing corporate travel management.
- Gain insights into on how to measure the return on investment (ROI)
Track A: Tech & Innovation
4:15 pm - 4:35 pm Cut Costs, Not Comfort: Enhance Your Travelers’ Experience Without Breaking The Bank Jennifer Tornatore-Knutson - Global Strategic Account Executive, Uber for Business
Track A: Tech & Innovation
4:35 pm - 5:05 pm Travel Program Meet Up: Using Data To Optimize Travel Costs And Enhance Traveler Experience. Kelly Taylor - Director of Corporate Travel, MassMutual
Track B: Payment And Expense
3:25 pm - 3:35 pm Track Chair Remarks Fernando López - Director, Product Management, Mastercard
Track B: Payment And Expense
3:35 pm - 4:15 pm Panel: Simplifying Complexity: A Roadmap to Effective Travel Expense Management Terri Moreno - Manager - Travel & Expense, The Aspen Group Oded Zehavi - CEO, Mesh Payments Dave Johannsen - Sr. Director – Product Marketing - Concur Travel, SAP Concur Susan Garneau - Director, Corporate Travel Management, AMC Networks Lydie Charpin - SVP, MastercardThis insightful panel session brings together experts in finance and travel management to discuss strategies for streamlining the often complex process of managing travel expenses. The discussion will focus on identifying common challenges in travel expense management and providing practical solutions. Attendees will learn about innovative tools and methodologies that can simplify reporting, compliance, and reimbursement processes. This session is invaluable for financial officers, travel managers, and business administrators seeking to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of their travel expense management systems.
Key Takeaways:
- Gain a deep understanding of the common hurdles faced in travel expense management
- Discover how technological advancements, such as automated expense tracking systems and AI-based auditing tools, can revolutionize the way organizations handle travel expenses
- Learn about best practices for streamlining travel expense management
Dave Johannsen
Sr. Director – Product Marketing - Concur TravelSAP Concur
Track B: Payment And Expense
4:15 pm - 4:35 pm Partner Presentation Dissecting The Travel Buying Process Nicole Jackson - Director, BrexBuying a TMC isn’t just a software investment. It’s a commitment to rethinking your employee experience and processes. So how do you ensure you’re making the right decision? In this interactive session, we’ll cover what a successful travel buying process looks like using audience feedback and stories from the field.
Key Learnings: Audience members will come away feeling better prepared to address their company’s travel problems and find the right solution that works for employees, travel managers, and finance and procurement teams alike.
Track B: Payment And Expense
4:35 pm - 5:05 pm Travel Program Meet Up: How Do We Make The Expense Process Easier For Our Travelers? Susan Garneau - Director, Corporate Travel Management, AMC Networks Courtney Ring - Vice President of Business Development, American Express
Track C: Meeting And Events / ITM
3:25 pm - 3:35 pm Track Chair RemarksTrack C: Meeting And Events / ITM
3:35 pm - 4:15 pm Panel: Beyond the Conference Room: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting In-Person Meetings in the New Age of Travel Procurement Veronica Seaman - Director, Event & Conference Management, MassMutual Teddy Oberts - Sourcing Manager – Corporate Travel, Salesforce Mira Rosenzweig - Global Travel Manager, PinterestThis forward-thinking panel discussion will address the evolving landscape of organizing in-person meetings in today's dynamic travel environment. This session convenes experts in corporate travel, event planning, and procurement to share their insights on how to effectively plan, execute, and manage face-to-face meetings post-pandemic. The focus will be on innovative approaches to selecting venues, managing logistics, and ensuring attendee safety while optimizing costs and enhancing the meeting experience. This panel is a must-attend for corporate event planners, travel managers, and procurement professionals looking to adapt and thrive in the new era of business travel and meetings.
Key Takeaways:
- Gain insights into the criteria for choosing meeting venues that align with current health guidelines, technological needs, and attendee preferences,
- Learn about the latest trends and tools in ensuring a safe, engaging, and productive meeting environment
- Discover best practices in managing travel and event procurement in the new age, focusing on cost control, vendor negotiations, and leveraging data analytics
Track C: Meeting And Events / ITM
4:15 pm - 4:35 pm Partner Presentation: Inside the Industry: Exploring Cvent's Trends and Insights Laura Puglisi - Senior Director, CventWhat do the leading travel and meeting programs of today look like? We’ve analyzed data points across thousands of travel and event programs to bring the market valuable insights to benchmark their programs and refine their strategies.
Join this session to see what’s trending with travel and meeting programs including trends related to:
- Transient RFP timing, preferred hotel program size, rate strategies and brand preferences
- Group RFP momentum, top event markets, event program mix and ADR trends
We’ll share engaging data and explain what it can mean to you and your program. You won’t want to miss it!
