Stimulating the Economy with Transportation

October 15-17 2008 Northwest Florida Cleared for Take Off

Event Registration & Information

Join regional business leaders for three days of interactive discussions about innovative air service strategies, economic development, destination marketing, and transportation to bring new jobs and increased tourism to Northwest Florida Gulf Coast.

A series of distinguished presenters will discuss the strategies necessary to grow our region’s economy while protecting our quality of life.

Conference Highlights:

Dr. John Kasarda, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Management and Director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School, an internationally recognized expert on using airports to drive regional economic development.
Rick Schneider, Vice President, Global Business Development, Travelocity Partner Network, a highly regarded expert on using Online Travel Agencies to drive tourism revenues.
Michael Pusateri, President and CEO, Vantage Strategy; a Senior Research Scholar at George Washington University; and formerly Senior Vice President of Strategy and COO of the Travel Industry Association of America.

Professor Darryl Jenkins, author of the Handbook of Airline Economics, and one of the best-known authorities on aviation in Washington, D.C. Jenkins has extensive experience working with local communities to win low-cost air service. He is a regular commentator in the national press, including CNN, CNBC, ABC News, NBC News, the Nightly Business Report and various other cable programs.
Dr. Mark Bonn, Associate Editor for The Journal of Travel Research, and a tenured Full Professor in the College of Business, Dedman School of Hospitality, at Florida State University and a member of the Graduate Faculty, Department of Marketing. Dr. Bonn specializes in marketing, research and educational programs for the Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism industry.
Richard B. Jennings, President, Realty Capital International LLC, a global real estate investment banking advisory firm in New York City. Mr. Jennings received his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
John Foley, Performance Expert, Former Lead solo, U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels
Leah Woolford, Founder and CEO of USDM.net, is a recognized Internet thought leader with a 15 year history of helping Fortune 500 companies, leading DMOs and hospitality companies excel with Internet marketing and technology.USDM.net is endorsed by leading travel industries worldwide. The client list includes the US Department of Commerce, the cities of New York, Atlanta, Miami and Beaches of South Walton TDC, as well 170other DMOs; hospitality clients like Marriott, Starwood, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Coldwell Banker, Trump International and more.