Meetings Beat - 2002-02-11
Grab Itineraries From SeeUthere
Santa Clara, Calif.-based SeeUthere Technologies has enabled corporate meetings and travel managers to obtain real-time traveler itineraries directly from global distribution systems, whether travel is booked through an agency or online. Itinerary AutoRetrieve allows meetings managers to access the latest status of traveler passenger name records, including arrival and departure cities and dates and times. Since the PNRs are pulled directly from the GDSs, company officials said, it ensures that itinerary changes made through the agency or online are both reflected.
PCMA Axes CEO DuBois
The Professional Conference Management Association last month fired David DuBois, who served as the association's president and CEO since April 2000. "We hired David two years ago to accomplish a number of objectives, including the establishment and relocation of the organization to Chicago," said PCMA chair Lisa Block. "With these goals accomplished and the significant changes that have occurred in the meetings and conventions industry this past year, we believe a different set of leadership skills are now required to take PCMA forward and to continue with implementation of our strategic initiatives." Block said the association's board of directors voted unanimously to relieve DuBois of his duties just days after PCMA's annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
DuBois, who signed a four-year contract upon his hiring, reportedly has settled the remainder of his contract with the association. PCMA senior vice president Jay Donahue will serve as interim CEO. The association also appointed Michael Payne, senior executive vice president and managing director of PCMA's Washington, D.C., office, and Christie Hicks, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide senior vice president of global sales in North America, as the heads of a CEO search committee. The association hopes to have a new president and CEO in place by late spring.PCMA Axes CEO DuBois
Moore To Lead Phoenix CVB
The Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau late last month named J. Steve Moore, executive director of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, its new president and CEO. Moore replaces former CEO David Radcliffe, who left in July to start his own consultancy. Moore officially will take the CVB's helm next month, which is a critical time for the CVB, as Phoenix voters in November approved a proposition authorizing the expenditure of up to $300 million in city funds for the expansion of the Phoenix City Plaza.
Walker Named Passkey Alliance VP
Group reservation management portal Passkey late last month named hotel industry and technology veteran Thomas Walker its vice president of alliances, responsible for enhancing existing alliances, forging new ones and heading the company's business consulting group.