Moving Government Travel Forward
Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals
September 17 & 18, 2014 | Washington D.C.
EdCon 14
Platinum Sponsors
THANK YOU, SPONSORS!
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
EdCon 14
Purchase raffle tickets for $5 each for a chance to win any one of our many prizes. Drawing willbe held at the Farewell Reception. You do not need to be present to win. All proceeds benefitOperation Homefront.
Many thanks to the numerous suppliers who gave generously to the Operation Homefront raffle. Operation Homefrontprovides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.
Operation Homefront Raffle
WELCOME TO
EdCon 14
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 1
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Welcome to EdCon’14! We are excited about this year’s program, “Moving Government Travel Forward.” We have great speakers and sessions lined up for the show, with the overall goal of presenting information on how to best serveour government clients while meeting industry needs and providing continued economic value to our industry.
With this in mind, we have invited industry experts and leaders to participate in EdCon’14 to help stimulate our criticalforward thinking and provide us with the latest analysis, research and information on topics key to government travel.
You won’t want to miss our three featured speakers! Kicking off EdCon’14 will be Vail Brown, Vice President of BusinessDevelopment & Marketing for STR, Inc., a leader in the lodging industry that assists global companies andgovernments with data and analysis. Vail’s presentation on how statistics, trends and analysis can have a large positiveimpact for both buyers and sellers of travel should be most instructive.
EdCon’14 will also feature two top government executives: Jerry Koehler, Division Director, Risk Based Security for TSA,and Craig Flynn, Director Travel & Relocation Policy, General Services Administration Office of Government-wide Policy.Koehler will share the latest info on the TSA PreCheck program and discuss TSA’s mission. Flynn, always a popularspeaker, will talk about finding the “sweet spot” between saving money and infringing upon employee’s rights.
As always, EdCon’14 will also feature many stimulating educational sessions that are essential information for buyersand sellers in our industry. These include GSA’s TMC & Industry Forums, state travel experts presenting the Value ofManaged Travel Programs, GSA’s Federal Travel Approver Training Program, WSCA-NASPO discussing a cooperativeprogram on how state governments can more effectively control their travel expenses, and Amtrak’s new governmentprograms for rail travel.
The ever-popular SGTP TradeXchange, our mini tradeshow, is a unique opportunity for buyers, sellers, and policymakers to learn more about each other and what products or services they offer. You will want to stop at all the vendortables and booths and meet with the companies and services that support SGTP and government travel and canpotentially save your agency time and money.
We are delighted that you are joining us for EcCon’14 and we hope that you will find the program beneficial andinformative. Enjoy the fabulous networking and have fun making new connections as well as reconnecting with friendsand colleagues.
Best regards,
Rick Singer, CTC, CGTP Marc StecExecutive Director, Society of President, Society of Government Travel
Government Travel Professionals (SGTP) Professionals (SGTP) Board of DirectorsVice President Strategic Business Initiatives,
CWTSatoTravel
EdCon 14
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 2EdCon 14
EdCon 14Moving Government Travel Forward
EDCON’1 4 is a training session for everyone involved in the government travel industry and those seekingopportunities in government and military travel markets. EdCon’14 was designed to provide attendees withinformation and insight to better understand the challenges of providing or obtaining world class travelmanagement services with reduced resources while implementing new initiatives and new policies. At EdCon’14you will learn from those persons directly involved in purchasing or managing travel and learn how to obtain or provide more effective travel services. Additionally, those attending will also discover and learn best practiceson assisting government agencies while effectively increasing their share of the business and revenues.
EDCON’ 14 ENGAGES HUNDREDS OF PARTICIPANTS THROUGH:
� Tactical and strategic sessions assembled by EdCon’14 program committee and the SGTP Board of Directors
� Keynote Presentation by Vail Brown, Vice President, Global Business Development & Marketing, STR, Inc.� TSA’s Risk Based Security� Communication between Industry and government leadership� Connecting and networking with others who enjoy the challenges of government travel
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
� Government travel Professionals responsible for service fulfillment� Small Business Owners who seek to do business with the government� Sales Professionals who set objectives for driving government travel sales� Procurement Administrators who purchase from TMCs� Travel Policy Developers and Administrators responsible for development and oversight of travel policy� Government Contractors who currently work with or seek new business with the government� Executives who manage customer engagement with government agencies� Product Managers interested in improving their overall product and experience delivered to government
travelers� Technology, Marketing and Strategy Professionals responsible for increasing engagement with
government clients� Market Researchers seeking new tactics for driving government customer insights
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 3EdCon 14
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:00 AM - Society of Government Travel Professionals
11:30 AM (SGTP) Supplier Council Meeting | Poplar
Supplier Council members only.
Co Chair, Supplier Council: Scott Lamb, CCTE, CGTPDirector - Government Segment Global Travel IndustryRelations, Hilton Hotels Co Chair, Supplier Council: Judy Silcox, CTC, CCTE,Key Account Director, Government Global Sales,Intercontinental Hotels Group
11:45 AM - Society of Government Travel Professionals
2:00 PM (SGTP) Board of Director’s Meeting | Poplar
Board & Invited Guests Only
1:00 PM - EdCon'14 Registration Open
5:00 PM Lower Lobby Foyer
Beverage Service Sponsored by Extended Stay AmericaExtended Stay America is anideal solution for civilian and military travelers whoneed comfort at an exceptional price. Their studiosuites offer a home-away-from-home atmospherewith in-suite kitchens, wireless Internet access, plentyof workspace, and on-site guest laundry facilities.Extended Stay America is a proud sponsor of SGTP’sEdCon’14.
1:15 PM - Orientation to Government Travel | Plaza I2:00 PM Let’s get acquainted. Join other new government
travel colleagues in an overview of GovernmentTravel and how you can get the most out of SGTP.
Presented by: Lucy Gomez, Director of Sales CrownePlaza, San Diego
DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014
2:00 PM - GSA TMC Forum | Plaza II & III3:15 PM A GSA led collaborative discussion with the TMCs
that provide travel services to federal civilian andmilitary travelers. Reserved for TMCs, DoD, ETS and GDS representatives.
Presented by: Jerome Bristow,Chief Customer ServiceBranch GSA FAS
3:30 PM - GSA Industry Forum | Plaza II & III4:30 PM GSA invites industry partners from the airlines and
car rental companies to join the discussion and sharetravel updates and trends from their uniqueperspective.
Presented by: Jerome Bristow,Chief Customer ServiceBranch GSA FAS
4:30 PM - Welcome Reception & TradeXchange
5:45 PM Lower Lobby Foyer A mini tradeshow and networking reception to bringyou closer to your colleagues while discovering newproducts and services.
Sponsored by Avis Budget Car Group and Sabre Travel Network/GetThereAvis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading provider of vehiclerental services, with operations in more then 70 countries, which proudly serve the U.S. Militaryand government markets.
Helping customers significantlyreduce their travel spend, GetThere andSabre combine innovation and travelindustry expertise bringing the best travel industry technology to 4,500+government and corporate clients worldwide.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 4EdCon 14
7:30 AM - EdCon'14 Registration Open
5:00 PM Lower Lobby Foyer
Coffee Service Sponsored by Extended Stay AmericaExtended Stay America is an ideal solution for civilianand military travelers who need comfort at anexceptional price. Their studio suites offer a home-away-from-home atmosphere with in-suite kitchens,wireless Internet access, plenty of workspace, and on-site guest laundry facilities. Extended StayAmerica is a proud sponsor of SGTP’s EdCon’14.
8:00 AM - Breakfast | Ballroom B&C8:40 AM Please join us in welcoming Sandra Taylor, Director
of Worldwide Sales Best Western International, as she introduces the latest happenings at Best WesternHotels.
Sponsored by Best Western InternationalWith three types of hotels that offer amenities andservices to meet yourindividual travel needs,finding the right hotel isnow easier than ever!
Best Western: Warm, clean, comfortable surroundingswelcome you at Best Western hotels, with all theamenities to ensure a restful and productive stay at anexceptional value.
Best Western Plus: Offering that little something extra,from well appointed rooms to modern amenities, BestWestern Plus hotels are thoughtfully designed to suit theneeds of any business or leisure traveler.
Best Western Premier: A refined level of comfort awaitsyou at Best Western Premier hotels. Distinct styling.Personalized service. The plush amenities and featureswill always leave a lasting impression.
8:50 AM - Welcome and Opening Patriotic Ceremony
9:00 AM Ballroom B&C
Welcome and opening remarks from SGTP’s ExecutiveDirector, Rick Singer, CTC, CGTP. Followed by theintroduction of EdCon’14 Conference Chair, Marc Stec,SGTP President and Vice President Strategic BusinessInitiatives, CWTSatoTravel.
Presentation of colors by the U.S. Armed Forces ColorGuard and Retired 1st Sergeant Donald Plavnick, U.S. Marine Corps.
9:10 AM - KEYNOTE PRESENTATION | Ballroom B & C10:00 AM Beyond Bullet Points: Statistics, Trends
and Analysis
Keynote Speaker: Vail Brown, Vice President, GlobalBusiness Development & Marketing, STR, Inc.
STR has been collecting hotel performance data for30 years. Capitalizing on this comprehensive history,this presentation will present the current state of thehotel industry; group and transient demand;performance trends within the U.S. top 25 markets;what’s in the pipeline and STR’s 2014/15 forecast.This information will assist in your upcomingstrategies, as ell as update you with the buzzingtopics in the industry.
Sponsored by InterContinental Hotels GroupIntercontinental Hotels is a majorsupplier to government travel, each year they show theirindustry support by sponsoring SGTP and highlightingthe good work of Operation Homefront.
10:00 AM - FEATURED SPEAKER | Ballroom B&C10:45 AM TSA’s Risk Based Security
Featured Speaker: Jerry Koehler, Division Director,Office of Risk Based Security
TSA will explain the Risk Based Security Program,and details including:
� What is the TSA Precheck Program?� Who’s eligible for TSA PreCheck?� What Does TSA Precheck mean for travelers?� How does TSA Precheck work?� Why should you enroll in the DHS Trusted Traveler
Program?Conclusions will include How a Federal, DoD, and allothers are able to participate in the TSA PreCheckProgram.
Sponsored by Hilton WorldwideHilton Worldwide offers government travelers over3600 locations in 82 countries around the globe. Ourten brands: Hilton, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, HamptonInns, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Home2Suites, HiltonGarden inns, Homewood Suites, and Hilton GrandVacation Clubs will fit yourindividual business andleisure needs, as well ashelp you host a successfulmeeting or event. Our Honors program allows travelersto earn points and miles as well as the special perksthat make travel a joy, not a burden.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (continued)
DAY 2 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 5EdCon 14
10:45 AM - Refreshment Break & TradeXchange
11:00 AM Lower Lobby Foyer
Take a break and get refreshed before the next session.Also the mini tradeshow and networking receptioncontinue to bring you closer to your colleagues whilediscovering new products and services.
Co-sponsored by LaQuinta Inns & Suites and OmegaWorld TravelLaQuinta Inns & Suites—Wake Up on the Right Side®
Whether you’re traveling on business, a leisure getaway,or a family vacation, LaQuinta has the right hotelaccommodations for you. Take advantage of free Internetaccess, free breakfast, and comfy beds offered atLaQuinta Inns & Suites. You’llfind the best rates online, thewidest variety of room options,the most reliable hotel info, andmore on LQ.com. Thank you forconsidering LaQuinta Inns & Suites for your hotel travelplans!
At Omega World Travel weKnow Government Travel. As apioneer in government travelmanagement, Omega boasts more than three decades ofeffectively customizing travel solutions to satisfygovernment requirements. We realize that governmentcustomers have unique requirements specific to theirindividual missions.
Omega is a federal government contractor under GSATravel Services Solution, Schedule 599; a designated DoDcontractor and an ETS2 and DTS support provider.Omega has a veteran staff of highly trained andexperienced government travel specialists who providevarious specialized services. We are experienced inofficial domestic and international travel, leisure withofficial travel, escort travel, high-security travel and VIPtravel. If your needs include travel arrangements fortemporary duty, PCS, evacuation or civilians oninvitational travel orders, we can handle that too.
Concurrent Educational Sessions (Choose one)
Concurrent Educational Sessions Sponsored by Duluth TravelIncorporatedDuluth Travel Incorporated, an Atlanta basedTravel Management company, offers superiorsolutions for government travel. For over adecade, Duluth Travel Incorporated hasprovided proprietary technology solutionsensuring data accuracy and end-to-end integration meeting theunique requirements of government travel and audit provisions.Our experience, customer service and innovative technology haveenabled Duluth Travel Incorporated to become a trustedGovernment travel management company.
11:00 AM - Session A: Value of a Managed Travel Program
11:45 AM Plaza ISetting up, and the benefits of having a ManagedTravel Program.
Presented by: � Tami Nelson, State Travel Manager, State of Utah � Dallas Stewart, Account Manager Client Consulting,
Christopherson Business Travel
Session B: Federal Travel Approver Training
Plaza IIYou Asked GSA Delivers Come learn about GSA’s newonline travel training programs including Travel ApproverTraining, FTR in Depth & Attending a Conference.
Presented by: Lauren Concklin, Senior ProgramAnalyst, Team Lead GSA FAS
Concurrent Educational Sessions (Choose one)
11:45 PM - Session C: Utilizing the WSCA-NASPO
12:30 PM Vendor Contracts | Plaza IAn overview of Cooperative Purchasing Organization,how to utilize their current contractsand the costs savings they can bringto the state government. Includedwill be air, hotel and car contracts forstate government official travel.
Presented by: Tim Hay, WSCA-NASPO
Session D: Making Informed Cost Saving Travel
Decisions | Plaza IIHow to optimize the use of Government Travel Programsin 2015 to save your travel & conference spend.
Presented by: Garlette L. Jordan, Program Analyst,GSA FAS
12:35 PM - Lunch & TradeXchange
2:15 PM Terrace Ballroom / Lower Lobby Foyer
Lunch Co-Sponsored byAmtrak and Hilton WorldwideWith Amtrak you can have amore efficient and productive journey. Whether you aretraveling for business or pleasure, Amtrak providesconvenient and cost effective travel options. Free WIFI isoffered on our regional and corridor trains along withcomfortable seats and plenty of room. Prepare for yournext meeting en-route, grab some food in the Café car, orjust relax, city to city. Amtrakis proud to be an SGTPEdCon’14 Sponsor.
Hilton Worldwide offersgovernment travelers over 3600 locations in 82countries around the globe. Our ten brands: Hilton,Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, Hampton Inns, Doubletree,
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 6EdCon 14
Embassy Suites, Home2Suites, Hilton Garden inns,Homewood Suites, and Hilton Grand Vacation Clubs willfit your individual business and leisure needs, as well ashelp you host a successful meeting or event. OurHonors program allows travelers to earn points andmiles as well as the special perks that make travel a joy,not a burden.
Concurrent Educational Sessions (Choose one)
Concurrent Educational Sessions Sponsored by Duluth TravelIncorporatedDuluth Travel Incorporated, an Atlanta based Travel Managementcompany, offers superior solutions for government travel. For overa decade, Duluth Travel Incorporated has provided proprietarytechnology solutions ensuring data accuracy and end-to-endintegration meeting the unique requirements of government traveland audit provisions. Our experience, customer service andinnovative technology have enabled Duluth Travel Incorporated tobecome a trusted Government travel management company.
2:30 PM - Session E: Amtrak Travel
3:15 PM Plaza IAmtrak provides city center to city center, green,budget conscious transportation choices that keep youand your team low stress and productive en-route. Thissession will familiarize you with Amtrak travel choices,the onboard experience, and describe the new Amtrakfare plan available to government travelers. We will alsodiscuss booking channel solutions.
Presented by: � Dennis Lyons, Amtrak Senior Officer, National &
Government Accounts � Terry Rowley, Jr., Amtrak Senior Analyst, Sales
Distribution and Customer Service
Session F: FedRooms 2015
Plaza IIHoteliers do you have questions about the FedRoomsprogram changes for 2015? How were the Tier 1markets selected? How can you submit a 2015 bid?What are the evaluation criteria for propertyselection in the Tier 1 markets? Join the FedRoomsteam get the answers to your questions in thisinteractive session.
Presented by:� Kindall Farwell, Director FedRooms� Cathy Sheeley, Program Manager, U.S. Government
Hotel Program, FedRooms
3:15 PM - GENERAL SESSION | Terrace Ballroom 4:30 PM Finding the “Sweet Spot” Between Saving
Money & Infringing Upon Employee’s Rights
Presented by: Craig Flynn, Director Travel &Relocation Policy, GSA Office of Government-widePolicy
Sponsored by BCD TravelBCD Travel helps youmake the most of whatyou spend on travel. For travelers, this means keepingthem safe and productive, and equipping them tomake good choices on the road. For travel procurers,it means advising them on how to grow the value oftheir travel program. In short, we help you travelsmart and achieve more. We make this happen in 97countries with 11,000 creative, committed andexperienced people. And it’s how we maintain anindustry-leading client-retention rate of more than95%. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com.
4:30 PM - Farewell Reception & TradeXchange
5:30 PM Lower Lobby Foyer
It has been a long day filled with new insights and non-stop discussion. You have earned your time to relaxand say farewell to old and new friends alike. Be sure towrap up that last deal, collect one more business cardand enjoy your stay in Washington, D.C.
Sponsored by BCD TravelBCD Travel helps youmake the most of whatyou spend on travel. For travelers, this means keepingthem safe and productive, and equipping them tomake good choices on the road. For travel procurers,it means advising them on how to grow the value oftheir travel program. In short, we help you travelsmart and achieve more. We make this happen in 97countries with 11,000 creative, committed andexperienced people. And it’s how we maintain anindustry-leading client-retention rate of more than95%. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 7EdCon 14
SGTP LEADERSHIP
MARC STEC
SGTP President,
Vice President Strategic
Business Initiatives,
CWTSato Travel
Marc Stec is Vice President,
Strategic Business Initiatives,
for CWTSatoTravel. At
CWTSatoTravel, he oversees
contract administration,
proposals, supplier
relations, subcontracting and the oversight of the
FedRooms team. He also serves as in-house legal counsel on
government contract matters. Marc has worked in the travel
industry for over 22 years. Previously, he has also worked for
the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a D.C. based law
firm and on congressional campaigns. Marc has been a
member of SGTP since 1993 and has been President of the
SGTP Board of Directors 9 of the last 10 years. He lives in
Rockville, MD with his wife Cathy and has two boys in
college. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he is a lifelong Steelers and
Pirates fan.
RICK SINGER, CGTP, CTC
SGTP Executive Director
Rick Singer is the Executive
Director of the Society
of Government Travel
Professionals (SGTP), a trade
association representing the
government travel sector.
Government travel, which
includes federal, military,
and state, travel, represents
nearly $15 billion in annual expenditures.
The mission of SGTP is to advocate for excellence in
government travel management and collaboration between
the government and the supporting travel industry. Through
education, networking, research and signature events SGTP
provides an open environment for positive change.
Rick brings more than 30 years of executive-level management
expertise across a broad spectrum of travel industry sectors.
Prior to joining SGTP, Rick was the Vice President of Vendor
Relations for Omega World Travel, based in Fairfax, VA. Rick
was the President and CEO of Adventure Tours, Inc., where he
spearheaded growth of the nationally recognized wholesale
travel company.
As the Executive Director of the Society of Government Travel
Professionals (SGTP), Rick’s passion for developing strategic
partnerships and alliances is shaping the direction of
government travel. He has served in this position since 2007.
He is a graduate of the University of Miami, with a degree in
Business Administration. Rick holds a certificate as a Certified
Government Travel Professional and serves on the following
government travel committees: GTAC — GSA’s Government
Travel Advisory Committee, and HSMAI’s Government Insider
Council.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 8EdCon 14
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
VAIL R. BROWN
Vice President, Global
Business Development &
Marketing, STR, Inc.
Vail R. Brown is VicePresident of GlobalBusiness Development &Marketing for STR, Inc., the leading authority onhotel industry performancetrends. STR providesclients—including hotel
operators, developers, financiers, analysts and suppliers tothe hotel industry—access to hotel research with regularand custom reports. STR provides a single source of globalhotel data covering daily and monthly performance data,forecasts, annual profitability, hotel pipeline and hotelcensus information. Their commitment to confidentialityand accuracy has set the industry standard for overtwenty-five years. STR founded the STR family of companies and is proudly associated with STR Global, STR Analytics, and HotelNewsNow.com.STR also founded the Hotel Data Conference(www.Hoteldataconference.com), which is held annually inNashville, Tennessee.
Mrs. Brown is responsible for the overall coordination,functional management and leadership of the businessdevelopment and marketing strategies for the STR Familyof Companies - STR, STR Global, STR Analytics, Hotel NewsNow and the Hotel Data Conference. Along with hotelspecific sales and marketing, Mrs. Brown’s efforts aredirected towards expanding relationships with third partyvendors by promoting new products and services. She isoften featured as a guest speaker at international, national,regional and state conferences. Mrs. Brown currently is thePast Chair for the AH&LA Women In Lodging (WIL)Executive Council, Chair for the HSMAI Foundation Boardof Directors and a member of the Women’s PoliticalCollaborative of TN. She is the recipient of 2013 AmericanHotel & Lodging Association John Whitaker Award.
Prior to joining STR, Mrs. Brown was the Director ofMembership Development for the Tennessee Hotel &Lodging Association (now Tennessee HospitalityAssociation) and Greater Nashville Hotel & LodgingAssociation. Mrs. Brown holds a Bachelor of Sciencedegree from Western Kentucky University in PoliticalScience and Environment Studies. She resides in Nashville,TN with her husband.
FEATURED TSA SPEAKER
JERRY KOEHLER
Director, Marketing and
Branding, Office of the
Chief Risk Officer, TSA
Jerry began his career withTSA at Secure Flight, wherehe was accountable for theimplementation of SecureFlight with U.S. based andnon-U.S. based airlines.
Jerry joined the Office ofRisk Based Security (ORBS) in June 2011, where he initiallyled industry stakeholder engagement, technology
integration, marketing, communications and partnershipefforts with major airlines and associations.
In his role as Director, Marketing and Branding for ORBS,and now the Office of the Chief Risk Officer, Jerry has ledthe marketing strategy and direction for risk based securityinitiatives, including but not limited to TSA Pre?™marketing initiatives with participating stakeholders.
Prior to joining TSA, Jerry was the Director, BusinessDevelopment with Amadeus North America, and theManaging Director of Industry Relations with AgentWare.In addition, prior to those roles, Jerry was with US Airwaysfor 16 years, and held various positions including Director,North America Field Sales.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 10EdCon 14
JEROME C. BRISTOW
Chief, Customer Service
Branch, GSA FAS
Mr. Bristow works in the
Office of Travel and
Transportation Services, for
the U.S. General Services
Administration, Federal
Acquisition Service (FAS).
The Center for Travel
Management provides
government-wide travel programs in air, hotel, online travel
management, data reporting and training to support
customer agencies in efficiently managing a $17B annual
travel spend.
The Center for Travel Management includes the
government-wide services of which Mr. Bristow manages
the business goals and innovative solutions to meet
organizational objectives. He represents his programs of
responsibility at the Program Manager level with federal
agencies, and leads programs in the areas of City Pair
Program, Customer Service, Professional Development and
Training, Travel Services Solutions Schedule, GSA Travel
Management Information Services, and the Rental
Supplemental Vehicle Program.
His goals are to expand the Travel programs that provide
greater government-wide efficiencies and ensure significant
and sustainable business models. To achieve these goals
he ensures program goals are aligned with customer
expectations and available commercial practices. His
disciplined approach to performance management, ensures
those visions and missions are achieved.
WIth a diverse background of over 25 years of travel
experience and government expertise, Mr. Bristow has
served both in the private and public sectors of government
travel and possesses a knowledge of how to bring both
entities together in the government arena.
EDCON’14 SPEAKER & PRESENTER BIOS
LAUREN CONCKLIN
Senior Program Analyst,
Team Lead, GSA FAS
Lauren Concklin is a team
lead with the General
Services Administration.
She has been with GSA for
9 years and has received
the Commissioner’s Award
for outstanding service to
GSA’s customers. She is
presently rolling out the Blackboard Learn hosted service
to provide training for the Federal Travel Regulations to
about two and half million civilian employees. Lauren’s
prior responsibilities include providing a hosted business
intelligence reporting solution to over 100 federal agencies
and independent commissions, and managing GSA’s Fleet
safety program which included over 10,000 vehicles.
She received her MBA from Marymount College and her
undergraduate degree from American University where she
played intercollegiate soccer.
KINDALL FARWELL
Director, FedRooms
Kindall Farwell is the
director for the U.S.
Government Hotel Program,
FedRooms®, which is
managed by CWTSato
Travel This business was
awarded to CWTSato Travel
in 2004 and re-awarded in
2009. Ms. Farwell is
responsible for overall FedRooms program management,
including FedRooms®, FedRooms® Groups and Meetings,
FedRates and StateRates. She is also responsible for hotel,
travel agency, GDS and self-booking tool relationships,
negotiations and Web site development. A 25-year-industry
veteran, Ms. Farwell has held previous roles at CWT in
Global IT Management, Training and Operations.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 11EdCon 14
EDCON’14 SPEAKER & PRESENTER BIOS (continued)
CRAIG FLYNN
Director of Travel &
Relocation Policy, GSA
Office of Government-wide
Policy
Craig Flynn serves as the
Director of Travel and
Relocation Policy in the
Office of Government-wide
Policy at the General
Services Administration.
The Office develops
government-wide policies to ensure the economical and
efficient management of government travel and relocation.
He is responsible for a team of policy analysts who write,
interpret, and educate federal employees and travel and
relocation managers about the Federal Travel Regulations.
Additionally, his Division of GSA sets the Per Diem and
Privately Operated Vehicle (POV) rates for federal
employee reimbursement while they are on official travel.
Mr. Flynn liaisons with state and local governments,
industry, and professional organizations and participates
in the work of boards, committees, and groups related
to the responsibilities of the office. Finally, through close
collaboration and consensus with these stakeholder
liaisons, federal agencies, Congress, and the Office of
Management and Budget, the Office crafts policy to
provide overall management direction for effective and
efficient government.
Prior to the GSA, Mr. Flynn worked for the National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) within the Department
of Agriculture for more than 18 years in various leadership
roles, including the Head of Budget Administration and
Human Resources Services Office, Director of the Oklahoma
Statistical Field Office, and Head of the Training and
Development Office.
LUCY GOMEZ
Sales Manager for Business
and Government, Crowne
Plaza San Diego
Lucy Gomez 30 + years in
the Travel and Hospitality
industry and is currently the
Sales Manager for Business
and Government at the
Crowne Plaza San Diego
since 2011, prior to this, she
has held positions at Starwood for five years and 27 years in
all areas of Travel including, her last position with Sato at the
Marine Corp Recruiting Depot in San Diego.
Lucy has found the best success is by collaboration,
honesty and trust, which she found has been the key for
building long lasting relationships, both in Public and
Private sector.
Lucy currently, sits on various committees and is presently
the 2nd Vice President for the Society of Government
Meeting Professionals. Some of her memberships include a
long standing memberships are GBTA and the Port of San
Diego ship repair association. She is well known in the San
Diego Hospitality community as the “go to person”, when
it comes to Government meetings, projects and groups and
extended stays.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 12EdCon 14www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals
TIM HAY
Cooperative Development
Analyst, WSCA-NASPO
Tim Hay has been a
Cooperative Development
Analyst with WSCA-NASPO
since April 2013. He was
previously with the State of
Oregon for 14 years as a State Procurement Analyst. During
his time at the State of Oregon Tim managed the State’s
travel, airline, credit card and other high profile contracts.
Tim was also the Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President
for the Oregon Public Purchasing Association.
Tim is a Certified Professional Public Buyer from the
Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council. He holds
two college degrees and Oregon’s Advanced Procurement
Certification. He is a very active member of the Society of
Government Travel Professionals and chaired the State
Travel Managers Alliance. Tim is a past Chair of the Salem
Airport Advisory Commission. Tim also sits on the Board of
Directors for Travel Salem. He also previously served on the
City of Salem Cultural Tourism Promotion Advisory Board,
and was awarded the Willard C Marshall – Special Citizen
Award in July 2006 from the City of Salem for his
volunteer services. In 2011, Tim was awarded the Duncan
Farrell – 2010 Person of the year award from the Society of
Government Travel Professionals and was also awarded the
2010 Buyer of the Year Award from the Oregon Public
Purchasing Association. Tim has been a national finalist for
NIGP Buyer of the Year for three years in a row, 2011, 2012
and 2013. He was named as a Best Practitioner and One of
the 25 Most Influential Business Travel Executives by
Business Travel News in 2013.
EDCON’14 SPEAKER & PRESENTER BIOS (continued)
GARLETTE L. JORDAN
Program Analyst, GSA -
FAS, Center for Travel
Management
Garlette Jordan has spent
her entire federal career at
GSA. After working in the
Tools Commodity Center
for five months before it
moved to Kansas City,
Missouri, she went to the
Public Liaison Staff and handled congressionals, non-
congressionals and legislation which touched on every area
of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service (formerly known as
the Federal Supply Service).
Seven years later, Garlette went to the Office of
Transportation and Property Management. As it evolved
and was renamed the Office of Travel and Transportation
Services, Garlette evolved as well having initially worked
on implementation of the American Express Travel Charge
Charge Card Program contract; city pairs and travel agency
services; international shipping and delivery; as a member
of the first team to establish a multiple award schedule for
travel, purchase and fleet charge card services, and then
managing over 400 webpages, producing publications and
speaking at various travel and transportation conferences
before joining the GSA lodging team. GSA Lodging
includes FedRooms, Long Term Lodging, Emergency
Lodging and Specialized Conference Facilities.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 13EdCon 14
DENNIS LYONS
Amtrak Senior Officer,
National & Government
Accounts
Mr. Lyons has an extensive
background in the travel
and tourism industry, and
within Amtrak has worked
on and lead a wide range of
projects in Sales &
Marketing and Product
Development since 2005 on routes across the country.
Previous to joining Amtrak Mr. Lyons operated several
successful travel related businesses contracting to provide
travel and business development services with
organizations such as Amtrak, Florida Department of
Transportation, Visit Florida, Universal Studios, Walt Disney,
and various foreign multi-national companies. He is a US
Navy Veteran and former reconnaissance team leader.
EDCON’14 SPEAKER & PRESENTER BIOS (continued)
TAMI NELSON
State Travel Manager
for the State of Utah
Tami Nelson is the State
Travel Manager for the
State of Utah. She began
her career in travel in 1989,
working for Marriott Hotels.
In 1991, she attended the
June Morris School of
Travel. In January, 2002,
she was hired as a corporate travel agent with Morris
Travel. Later that year, the State created a managed travel
program and Morris Travel was awarded the contract to be
the sole travel agency for the State of Utah. Tami was
hired as one of the first agents to book travel for the state.
In 2004, she became a state employee as the State Travel
Coordinator, working under the State Travel Manager. In
2005, Tami became the State Travel Manager for Utah. In
this role, Tami manages all travel contracts. These include
contracts for a travel agency, airlines, cars, hotels, box
trucks and travel cards. She also writes and implements
travel and reimbursement policies and procedures.
Tami has been married for 17 years and has two teenage
boys, both of which hold world titles in karate as under
belts. They both became black belts in June of this year.
She enjoys spending time with her family riding four
wheelers and wave runners and of course, traveling.
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 14EdCon 14
TERRY ROWLEY, JR.
Amtrak Senior Analyst,
Sales Distribution and
Customer Service
Mr. Rowley works with
leading technology
partners in leveraging web
service connections to
Amtrak in order to extend
access to passenger rail
availability, pricing,
booking, and ticketing transactions.
He facilitates the use of modern XML messaging and
technologies in advancing Amtrak’s eTicketing initiatives with
the travel trade. Positioning Amtrak to be a preferred travel
provider, available in the booking environments, where leisure,
corporate and business customers shop for their travel needs.
Mr. Rowley has been with Amtrak for 24 years.
CATHY SHEELEY
Program Manager, U.S.
Government Hotel Program,
FedRooms
Cathy Sheeley is the
program manager for the
US Government Hotel
Program FedRooms®, which
is managed by CWTSato
Travel. This business was
awarded to CWTSato Travel
in 2004 and re-awarded in 2009 and 2014. Ms. Sheeley is
responsible for SmartPay processing and analysis, the
FedRooms® annual RFP and overall process improvement.
Ms. Sheeley has seven years of travel experience and is
in her second year with the FedRooms program. Prior to
joining FedRooms, she spent five years as the Senior
Business Analyst for the CWT Hotel Solutions Group. In
this role she supported corporate client hotel programs by
creating actionable reporting designed to improve the
performance and profitability of corporate client programs.
EDCON’14 SPEAKER & PRESENTER BIOS (continued)
DALLAS STEWART
Account Manager Client
Consulting, Christopherson
Business Travel
Dallas Stewart has worked
in the travel industry since
1999. She started her career
as a leisure and group
agent and then continued
on as a corporate agent at
several onsite offices for
Christopherson Business Travel. She has gained experience
in govt. travel by working at the State of Utah travel office
and the University of Utah travel office. After earning her
BA she became an account manager with Christopherson
managing many of their large clients including the State of
Utah and many Universities in Utah. She is currently
serving on the board of SGTP and a subcommittee for
State Travel working towards gaining state and university
interest in the association.
Sponsor / Representative Booth No.
IHG / Judy Silcox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-01
Amtrak / Dennis Lyons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-02
Avis/Budget / Beth Schoeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-03
TSA PreCheck / Tona Napoli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-04
LaQuinta Inns & Suites / Jake Paine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-05
Omega World Travel / Patt Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-06
Best Western International / Neeru Bhalla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-07
Sabre Travel Network / Ilona Kierstead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-08
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 15EdCon 14
Exhibitor / Representative Booth No.
CVENT / Charlie Townshend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-01
Residence Inn Ballston / Allison Sayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-02
Greystone Hotels / Melissa Becker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-03
Hotel Bristol / Elizabeth Fuller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-04
Carlson Rezidor Hotels / Sandi Millstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-05
Radisson Cape Canaveral / Stan Budsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-06
Drury Inns / Joan Gibbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-07
Castle Hotels / Lori Flores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-08
Hilton JFK / Oded Garti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-09
Best Western Seven Seas / Andrea Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-10
Comfort Inn Alexandria/Quality Suites Norfolk Airport / Tracy Uphold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-11
Suite America / Kim Dunbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-12
Aston Waikiki Beach / Candace Yuen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-13
Red Roof Inns / Mark Feggeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-14
Baywood Hotels / Ruveyde Gugus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-14A
mLinqs / Greg McIntyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-15
Guest Quarters / Bibiana Stehly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-16
Days Business Alliance / Larry VanWert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-17
Hilton Hotels / Nayka Mendoza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-18
EdCon 14 TRADEXCHANGE
Sponsor & Exhibitor Booths | Lower Lobby Foyer
Sponsor / Representative Booth No.
Enterprise Holdings / Bryan Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-09
Oakwood Worldwide / Daphne Mellilo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-10
Extended Stay America / Jason Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-11
Innovata/FedTravel.com / Judy Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-12
SGTP Registration / SGTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-13
Madison Hospitality / Cynthia Carter-Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-14
BCD Travel / Jim Kelleher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-15
South African Airways / Debbie Droke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-16
Exhibitor / Representative Booth No.
Kesselrun Consulting / Michael Brennan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-19
Aston Executive Centre / Kathy Ahsam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-20
Hotel Bellclaire / Rachelle Schwarzenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-21
Crowne Plaza / San Diego / Lucy Gomez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-22
Crowne Plaza / JFK Airport / Nancy Lupo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-23
Value Place / Flossie Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-24
Lord Baltimore Hotel / Anthony Toliver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-25
SIXT Car Rental / Jennifer Bialek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-26
Churchill Properties / Kathy Policaro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-27
Hampton Inn Washington ,DC / Jamie Crouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-28
Hersha Hospitality / Gerry Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-29
Emirates Airlines / Radhika Chinoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-30
Even Hotels, Rockville / Kristin Lesino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-31
Holiday Inn Express Dulles Expo / Mary Kashani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-32
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia East Elkridge / Alta Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-33
Holiday Inn Central, Coakley Williams Hospitality / Don Evans . . . . T-34
Providence Hospitality / Christy Pettit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-35
Sheraton & Hilton Garden Inn JFK / Kathleen Pettit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-36
Etihad Airways / Alton Watts
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 16EdCon 14
DOGWOOD
OFFICES/STORAGE
MAPLE ROOMTERRACE BALLROOM
PLAZA B/C
MEN’S ROOM
LADY’S ROOM
S-1 S-2 S-3
S-14
S-16S-15
S-17 S-13 S-12
S-5
S-6
S-7
S-8
S-9
S-10
T-14
S-11
S-4
T-13
T-12
T-19
T-18
T-17
T-29
T-20 T-14AT-30
T-28
T-27
T-11
T-10
T-9
T-8
T-7
T-6
T-5
T-16
T-15
T-22
T-21
T-24
T-23
T-26
T-25
T-32
T-33
T-31
T-34T-35T-36
T-3 T-4T-2T-1
EdCon 14 TRADEXCHANGE
Sponsor & Exhibitor Booths | Lower Lobby Foyer
www.sgtp.org Presented by The Society of Government Travel Professionals 17EdCon 14
NOTES
SGTP BOARD OF DIRECTORS SGTP would like to thank all the board of directors for their guidance and leadership for Government Travel.
It is their dedication to this industry that has made SGTP a success for over 30 years!
SGTP SUPPLIER COUNCILScott Lamb, CCTE, CGTP Co-ChairHilton Hotel Corporation, Director Government SegmentGlobal Travel Industry Relations
Judy Silcox, CTC, CCTE, Co-ChairInterContinental Hotel Group, Key Account DirectorGovernment America Sales
Claudia BonettiLockheed Martin, Travel Manager Global Agency Operations
Deborah DrokeSouth African Airways, Director Business Development Mid-Atlantic Region
Jeff HaagSouthwest Airlines, Government Relations Manager
Joe HerzogTravelport, Vice President Government BusinessDevelopment
Ilona KiersteadSabre/GetThere, Account Director, Global Accounts
Lori LefflerHertz, Global Government Strategic Manager
Sandi MillsteinCarlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Director, Global Sales –Government, Americas
Jason MooreExtended Stay America, Director Key Accounts Sales,Military & Government
Thom PuccioChoice Hotels International, Director of GlobalGovernment & Military Sales
Bryan ScottEnterprise Holdings, Enterprise, National & Alamo, Director Federal Government Sales
Sandra TaylorBestWestern International, Director Worldwide Sales
Marc Stec, President
CWTSato Travel, Vice President Strategic Business Initiatives
Paul Coleman, Vice President
TRAVCO & Sun Travel, President
Deborah Droke, Secretary
South African Airways, Regional Director Business Development
Scott Lamb, CGTP, Treasurer
Hilton Hotel Corporation, Director Government Segment Global Travel Industry Relations
Arthur Salus, Immediate Past President
Duluth Travel, President
Gloria Bohan, Founder SGTP
Omega World Travel, CEO & President
Jackye AltonAlmeda Travel, President
Goran GlicorovicOmega World Travel, Executive Vice President
Kevin McElroyCI Travel, Advisor to the President
Bryan ScottEnterprise Holdings, Enterprise, National & Alamo, Director Federal Government Sales
Judy Silcox, CTC, CCTEInterContiental Hotel Group, Key Account Director Government
Dallas StewartChristopherson Business Travel, Account Manager Client Consulting
Sandra TaylorBestWestern International,Director Worldwide Sales
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