Orbitz Launches Mtg. ServicesOnline travel agency Orbitz late last month introduced a new service to provide its Orbitz for Business customers with simple access to meeting planning services. The program, dubbed Orbitz Meeting Services, is essentially a partnership between Orbitz and Chicago-based independent meetings management firm David Green Organization, under which DGO will offer Orbitz customers site analysis and selection, contract negotiation and onsite staffing. Orbitz for Business customers will have the opportunity to request DGO planning services directly through the Orbitz Web site, said Orbitz for Business general manager David Cerino. DGO will offer meeting evaluation and site selection services for free, then charge an hourly rate for event planning and onsite staffing needs. "We have had requests from our customers to expand our services into meeting planning," Cerino said. "We see the sweet spot for this as midsize companies with between $500,000 and $10 million in annual air spend." Orbitz Meeting Services has no customers as of yet, and Cerino declined to disclose any information about the company's corporate travel customers. However, the company previously has acknowledged McDonald's Corp. is pilot testing Orbitz for Business
(BTN, March 10).L.A. CVB Head George Kirkland DiesGeorge Kirkland, president and CEO of LA Inc., Los Angeles' convention and visitors bureau, died of cancer June 11 at the age of 60. Kirkland headed the city's CVB since 1990 and previously served as president of CVBs in Kansas City, Miami and San Francisco. During his tenure, the city expanded its convention center and its sales reach, opening sales offices in the East, Midwest and overseas. Kirkland served as chairman of the American Society of Association Executives from 1999 to 2000 and the Travel Industry Association of America from 1997 to 1998.
To replace Kirkland, LA Inc. appointed United Airlines executive Mark Liberman its new president and CEO. A longtime executive with the airline, Liberman served as United's vice president of North America western region, responsible for the carrier's West Coast operations. Liberman in 1992 launched United's Latin America division and previously served as vice president of services planning. "Mark's management ability, understanding of the travel and tourism industry, our city and the LA Inc. organization make him an outstanding choice to lead the bureau," said Rick Welch, incoming chairman of the LA Inc. board of directors. "He has extensive experience with the bureau's evolution and the ability to implement our strategic plans.
Kirkland's family has requested that contributions be made to the Los Angeles Travel and Tourism Education Foundation, 333 South Hope St., 18th Flr., Los Angeles, CA, 90071.
Charlotte CVB's Tennant Heads WestCharlotte Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO Melvin Tennant this month will become the head of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tennant, a member of the board of directors of Meeting Professionals International, served 11 years at the Charlotte CVB's helm. "While it will be hard to leave this tremendous group of professionals I work with in Charlotte, it was difficult to ignore the opportunity to return to my native Texas to be closer to family and represent such a renowned destination as San Antonio," Tennant said. Outgoing Charlotte CVB board of directors chair Linda Libby will head a nationwide search committee for Tennant's replacement. In the interim, senior vice president of sales and marketing Mike Butts and senior vice president of finance and administration Jim Helms will serve as co-presidents.
Disney Institute Also Heads WestWalt Disney Co. has made the education offerings of its Disney Institute, an Orlando-based corporate management learning and training center, available at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. The Disney Institute is a popular offering for corporate meetings, as planners can combine the entertainment and leisure offerings of Disney World with Institute classes and seminars about Disney management.