
VIRTUAL
While we strive to minimize changes, please check back periodically as the schedule does experience occasional changes.
Tuesday, February 23
8:00 – 9:00 am EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
8:00 – 9:00 am EST
Travel Industry Engagement – United Airlines
Topic: Return to Travel: How United is Helping You Safely Navigate the World of Travel During COVID-19
Description: Throughout your journey, we’re putting safety and cleanliness at the forefront of your travel experience through our United CleanPlus program. We are also helping ease the burden of travel with our new Travel Ready Center.
Speaker: Jonathan Mullings, Senior Manager, Business Development
8:20 – 8:40 am EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Omega World Travel
Topic: Travel Disruptions: Using the Right Data to Manage Risk
Description: Do you now where your travelers are? Are they safe? Is their data secure? Whether it’s a pandemic, political event, natural disaster, flight delays or cancellations, exposure to risk can increasingly be found virtually anywhere and occur any time of the day or night. Potential problems come in many forms and it is up to companies to secure their travelers’ well-being wherever they are, no matter what disruptions they face.
Speaker: Nadim Hajje, Vice President, Information Technology & Data Analytics, Omega World Travel
8:40 – 9:00 am EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Enterprise Holdings
Topic: Government Travel: Adapting and succeeding in today’s new state of normal
Description: During this session, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from Bryan Scott, Assistant Vice President for Enterprise Holdings, as he walks through some of the innovative practices the company has initiated to help both customers and the business adjust and reset amidst the ever-changing environment of the pandemic.
9:00 – 9:30 am EST
Opening remarks by VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret.), NDTA President and CEO, and Mr. William Mansell, Jr., SES, Director, Defense Travel Management Office
Color Guard: U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard
National Anthem: Ms. La’ Nia White
9:30 – 9:40 am EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
9:40 – 10:25 am EST
Keynote Speaker #1: Mr. Robert Salesses, SES, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense & Global Security, U.S. Department of Defense
Topic: “COVID-19 Lessons Learned for Passenger Travel”
Description: This session seeks to provide insights into DoD’s role in combating the global pandemic while meeting mission requirements to accomplish the nation’s priorities and objectives in a COVID-19 contested environment. The discussion will highlight: priorities; DoD support to lead federal agency; whole of nation response; Operation Warp Speed; and reducing barriers to speed response.
10:25 – 10:35 am EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
10:35 – 11:50 am EST
Panel #1: “COVID-19 Lessons Learned for Passenger Travel”
Moderator: Mr. Philip Benjamin, Deputy Director, Defense Travel Management Office
Panelists:
Mr. William Mansell, Jr., SES, Director, Defense Travel Management Office
Mr. Tim Burke, SES, Executive Director, Office of Travel, Employee Relocation and Transportation, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration and the Government-Wide Category Manager for Travel
Mr. Rick Marsh, SES, Director, Defense Personal Property Program, U.S. Transportation Command
Mr. Jeffrey Angers, SES, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Military Personnel), Office of the ASA (M&RA)
Description: This panel builds on and expands the keynote address on the pandemic effects on DoD and its response. Panelists will provide a focused look at how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted government passenger travel programs, and discuss how it is expected to shape the future of government passenger travel in years to come.
11:50 am – 12:00 pm EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
12:00 – 12:45 pm EST
Keynote Speaker #2: Mr. Scott Kirby, Chief Executive Officer, United Airlines
Topic: “Passenger Air Travel: Adapting to Meet the Changing Environment”
Description: The COVID-19 Pandemic has created a new reality for the passenger travel industry. In this session, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby will discuss passenger air travel and how United is adapting to meet the changing environment. Mr. Kirby will highlight United’s CleanPlus program in partnership with The Cleveland Clinic and The Clorox Company to deliver industry-leading cleanliness, prioritize customer well-being and innovate for a healthier tomorrow. This presentation will cover United’s customer and employee testing programs, ongoing efforts to transport vaccines, use technology to address changing customer needs, become more sustainable, and look ahead to the future of business and leisure travel.
12:45 – 1:05 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Travelport
Topic: Myth Busters vs. 2021: Debunk Common Travel Myths with Travelport & Southwest
Description: Who are the Myth Busters? It’s Travelport and Southwest addressing how common travel myths affect those who travel on behalf of the Government and everywhere in between. They don’t just tell you the myths, they put them to the test. Join Travelport and Southwest where they will be exploring common travel myths, such as airline safety procedures during a pandemic and more.
Presenters: Terry Astudillo, Business Consultant for TMC Relations, Southwest and Dianne Parks, Head of U.S. Government Sales & Strategy, Travelport
12:45 – 1:45 pm EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
1:05 – 1:25 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – BCD Travel
Topic: Respond, Adapt and Innovate with a Modern Program Infrastructure
Description: Business travel management has changed drastically in the last five years. And changes keep coming quicker than ever before. The ability to be agile is critical to a successful travel program today. In this session, you’ll learn the benefits a modern program infrastructure brings: flexibility across products, faster and easier roll-outs, and travel program innovation.
Presenters: Will Pinnell, Vice President, Digital and Product Strategy, BCD Travel
1:25 – 1:45 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – CWTSatoTravel
Topic: Lower the White Flag: Resuming and Rebuilding Group Travel
Description: While almost every aspect of travel has changed within the past year, group travel has faced some of the most significant challenges. We are happy to report that the time for completely surrendering group travel planning is now over. Improved vaccine distribution plans and timelines in addition to industry-wide travel safety initiatives have enabled Government Travel and Meeting Planners to safely resume group travel planning and booking.
This session, led by Mark Farrell from SWTSatoTravel’s Sato Groups team, will offer a different take on safe pandemic/post-pandemic travel best practices to rebuild your group travel missions.
1:45 – 2:45 pm EST
Travel Academy Breakout Session A
Travel Experience & Safety — A Panel on Travel Safety and Health
Moderator: Ms. Melody Haislip, Vice President National Sales, Island Hospitality Management
Participants:
Gregory Harkins, Chief of Staff, Military and Government Markets, CWTSatoTravel
Mike Beauchamp, Director, Business Development & Account Management, United Airlines
Bryan J. Scott, Assistant VIce President of U.S. Government Business, Enterprise Holdings
Carrie Hartman, Executive VP of Sales, ABODA by RESIDE
Technology — The Surge of Contactless Payments
Speakers:
Gill Collier, Director of Account Management, Conferma Ltd.
Annette Dreibelbis, Sabre
Jay Darnell, Sr. Account Executive, VISA
Erin VanDagna, Service Delivery Branch Chief, Center for Charge Card Management
TMC Partner Programs — City Pairs - Travel Policies & Procedures
Speakers: GSA’s Office of Travel, Employee Relocation and Transportation
• Ebony White
• Mary Gartland
• Jerry Bristow
Travel Experience & Safety — GSA Rideshare
Speaker: Ms. Ronda Boatright, Office of Travel, Employee Relocation and Transportation, GSA
2:45 – 2:55 pm EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
2:55 – 3:55 pm EST
GPTAC Committee Chairman’s Meeting: (By Invitation Only)
Description: The GPTAC Chairman and Committee Chairs conduct an annual meeting with the NDTA President, DTMO and GSA to review working actions and determine the priority of actions for the year to be taken on by the GPTAC.
2:55 – 3:55 pm EST
Travel Academy Breakout Session B
TMC Partner Programs — Boost Your Hotel Retailing through COVID and Beyond
Speaker: Gail Piehl, Sales Director, Travelport
Travel Experience & Safety — Advancing Traveler Health and Security through Technology and Communication
Speaker: Lisa Farbstein, Spokesperson, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, Transportation Security Administration
TMC Partner Programs — Consolidated Governmentwide Lodging Solution
Speakers: Office of Travel, Employee Relocation, and Transportation, GSA
• Jennifer Miller
• Brian Assia
• Lauren Concklin
Travel Experience & Safety — US Army's JARVISS Facilities Threat Assessment
Speaker: James F. Allen, Antiterrorism Security Specialist and JARVISS Program Manager, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of the Provost Marshal General
3:55 – 4:05 pm EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
4:00 – 4:20 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Southwest Airlines
Topic: Boeing 737 MAX: Return to Service with Southwest Airlines®
Description: For 50 years, an unwavering commitment to Safety and Employee training have been the cornerstone of Southwest’s business. During this session, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from Southwest Airlines Executives as they outline our comprehensive and transparent approach to returning the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to service. A winner of two roundtrip airline tickets good anywhere Southwest Airlines flies will be randomly chosen from the session attendees!
Speakers:
Bob Waltz, Vice President, Flight Operations
Silke Koehnecke, Director, Specialty Sales
4:05 – 5:05 pm EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
4:05 – 5:30 pm EST
Government Meeting: DoD Passenger Services Advisory Group Meeting (by invitation only)
Description: Members of DoD’s Passenger Travel Advisory Group meet for their quarterly meeting
Wednesday, February 24
8:00 – 9:00 am EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
8:20 – 8:40 am EST
Travel Industry Engagement – BCD Travel
Topic: Respond, Adapt and Innovate with a Modern Program Infrastructure
Description: Business travel management has changed drastically in the last five years. And changes keep coming quicker than ever before. The ability to be agile is critical to a successful travel program today. In this session, you’ll learn the benefits a modern program infrastructure brings: flexibility across products, faster and easier roll-outs, and travel program innovation.
Presenters: Will Pinnell, Vice President, Digital and Product Strategy, BCD Travel
8:40 – 9:00 am EST
Travel Industry Engagement – CWTSatoTravel
Topic: Return to Travel: CWTSatoTravel discusses Traveler Safety during a Pandemic
Description: As travel resumes, the amount of COVID-19 travel safety data, advisories, restrictions and procedures can be overwhelming. Guidelines can change quickly from one day to the next, making it difficult for travelers to ensure that they have the most up-to-date knowledge prior to take-off.
This session, led by Greg Harkins and Zack Haines, will include a demo of CWTSatoTravel’s Travel Essentials tool, which equips travelers with information needed to plan trips effectively and make timely decisions prior to their trip.
9:00 – 9:45 am EST
Administrative remarks by VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret.)
Opening Day Song: God Bless America by Ms. Sophia Nadder
DoD Excellence in Practice Awards – Presented by Defense Travel Management Office
Presenting: Mr. William Mansell, Jr., SES, Director, Defense Travel Management Office
NDTA Corporate Awards – Presented by NDTA
Presenting: VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret.), President and CEO, NDTA
9:45 – 10:00 am EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
10:00 – 10:45 am EST
Keynote Speaker #3: Mr. Kurt J. Ekert, President and CEO, CWT
Topic: “Passenger Travel: Adapting to Meet the Changing Environment”
Description: Looking across the passenger travel industry, this discussion examines the impacts of the pandemic on the industry and on the government traveler – identifying and applying new innovations and procedures to safely provide customer travel needs.
10:45 – 11:00 am EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
11:00 am – 12:15 pm EST
Panel #2: “How has industry and government responded, adapted and innovated?”
Description: Conditions-based travel decisions; global, national and state travel restrictions; a pandemic not easily resolved – all leading to an economic slowdown and negative impact to passenger travel. This discussion seeks to provide information about what industry and government has done and plans to do to overcome and push through the friction created by COVID-19.
Moderator: Mr. Tony D’Astolfo, Senior Vice President North America, Serko Ltd
Panelists: Mr. Robert Connors, Vice President, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
Mr. David Harvey, Vice President, Southwest Business
Mr. Nick Vournakis, Managing Director, Global Customer Group, CWTSatoTravel
Mr. Jim Gregory, Deputy Assistant Administrator Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, Transportation Security Administration
12:15 – 12:35 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Southwest Airlines
Title: The Southwest® Promise: What Government Travelers should expect from check-in to deplaning
Description: During this session, Southwest Airlines Executives will share our commitment to the Southwest Promise. Since the onset of the pandemic, we have made extensive changes to our operations and procedures to better support the well-being and comfort of our Employees and our Government Customers. A winner of two roundtrip airline tickets good anywhere Southwest Airlines flies will be randomly chosen from the session attendees!
Speakers:
Tony Roach, Managing Director, Customer Experience
Justin Schiffner, Manager, Government Sales
12:15 – 1:15 pm EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
12:35 – 12:55 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Enterprise Holdings
Title: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Provides Update on Connected Car Technology
Description: During this session, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from Kyle Sabie, Assistant Vice President for Enterprise Holdings, as he shares the exciting progress to integrate connected car technology to the world’s largest fleet of rental vehicles.
12:55 – 1:15 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Omega World Travel
Title: Elevating the Customer Experience: One Traveler at a Time
Description: A positive travel experience can have a tremendous impact on employee production. Keeping up with technological expectations that satisfies every traveler’s needs in real time can be overwhelming to deal with. Join Nadim Hajje as he discusses a holistic solution that covers an elevated booking experience for travelers while on the go!
Speaker: Nadim Hajje, Vice President, Information Technology & Data Analytics, Omega World Travel
1:15 – 2:15 pm EST
Travel Academy Breakout Session C
Organizational Leadership — Ethics Training for Industry and Government
Speaker: Thomas Serrano, Defense Human Resources Activity
Travel Experience & Safety — Office of Government-Wide Policy: Per Diems
Speaker: Sarah Selenich, Per Diem Program Program Lead, GSA
Travel Modernization — Enterprise Audit Support & Compliance - Post Pay Review
Speaker: Heather Crews, DoD/Defense Finance and Accounting Service/Enterprise Audit Support & Compliance
Technology — Data and Pandemic Travel
Moderator: Kyle Kraft, Global Account Executive, Sabre
Panelists:
Laura Kistler, Director, Product & Services Marketing, Military & Government Markets, CWTSatoTravel
Tom Mueller, Director, Travel and Relocation Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Policy, GSA
Andrew Miller, Director, Americas Partnerships, International SOS
2:15 – 2:25 pm EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
2:25 – 3:25 pm EST
Travel Academy Breakout Session D
TMC Partner Programs — Travel Program Best Practice - Managing Data Security Amid Constant Change
Speaker: Sherron Burgess, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, BCD Travel
Technology — Technology and the Changing World of Travel
Speaker: Daniel Murphy, Everbridge
Travel Modernization — Employee Relocation - Mitigating Risk and Reducing Costs of Federal Workforce
Moderator: Julie Blanford, GSA
Panelists:
Melissa Jordan, USTRANSCOM
Mike Schaetzle, Army Corps of Engineers Defense National Relocation Program
Kimberly Fordyce, Bureau of Fiscal Services ARC Travel Services
William Wiggins, Environmental Protection Agency Federal Employee Relocation Center
Travel Experience & Safety — Solving the Puzzle of Invitational Travel
Moderator: Joel Wartgow, Senior Director, CWTSatoTravel
Panelists:
Devon Tivona, CEO, Pana
Alex Borden, Director of Sales, Pana
Tim Switzer, Director of Customer Management, CWTSatoTravel
3:25 – 3:35 pm EST
Break and enter next scheduled virtual event
3:35 – 4:35 pm EST
Young Leaders Professional Development Session
Facilitated by NDTA Washington DC Chapter
4:25 – 4:45 pm EST
Travel Industry Engagement – Travelport
Topic: Myth Busters vs. 2021: Debunk Common Travel Myths with Travelport & Southwest
Description: Who are the Myth Busters? It’s Travelport and Southwest addressing how common travel myths affect those who travel on behalf of the Government and everywhere in between. They don’t just tell you the myths, they put them to the test. Join Travelport and Southwest where they will be exploring common travel myths, such as airline safety procedures during a pandemic and more.
Presenters: Terry Astudillo, Business Consultant for TMC Relations, Southwest and Dianne Parks, Head of U.S. Government Sales & Strategy, Travelport
4:25 – 5:25 pm EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
Thursday, February 25
8:00 – 9:00 am EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
8:00 – 9:30 am EST
Government Meeting: DoD Service Transportation Office Breakout Sessions (by invitation only)
Description: The U.S. Navy Passenger Service Advisory Group representative leads a service-specific meeting for U.S. Navy Transportation Office personnel.
- U.S. Navy
9:00 – 9:50 am EST
Defense Travel Modernization Update and Demonstration
Description: In the digital data era, safeguarding DoD travelers’ information is a top priority for the Defense Travel Modernization (DTM) effort. That is the main driver behind the DTM prototype’s transition from SAP Concur’s commercial cloud environment to a new platform, the Concur Cloud Public Sector (CCPS). During this transition, use of the DTM prototype paused while the Department completed vigorous security assessments of the new platform. Meanwhile, the project team continued to configure the prototype, adding new traveler-defined features, and refining current functionality. With travel resuming in the prototype in FY21 Q2, users will see enhancements that include a new user interface that changes the overall look and feel of the application and delivers functionality improvements. The DHRA team is looking ahead and developing implementation, training, and communication plans to launch the modernized travel system to an organization of more than 2.3 million travelers. Come learn from members of the Defense Travel Management Office and the Defense Manpower Data Center as they provide an update on the latest status and implementation strategies, as well as a demonstration of the new and improved user interface.
9:30 – 11:30 am EST
Senior Travel Official Council (STOC) Quarterly Meeting (by invitation only)
Moderator/POCs: Mr. Brian Assia and Ms. Rebecca Bond, GSA
Description: The STOC serves as the principal interagency council responsible for creating a forum for collaboration and opportunities to identify and better define, shape and align government-wide strategies, principles and policy for travel, relocation, and conference-related activities. Members include Senior Travel Officials from the top 24 CFO Act agencies, as well as other participating ETS2 agencies. Chartered in 2015, the Council meets quarterly. This quarter’s meeting is being held in conjunction with NDTA’s GovTravels Conference.
10:00 – 11:00 am EST
Government Passenger Travel Advisory Council (GPTAC) – Committee Meetings
Description: The GPTAC holds individual Committee meetings to review industry and government issues and actions. Meetings are open to all participants and are a good way to learn more about how NDTA, industry and the government work together.
- Airline Committee: Chair – Mike Beauchamp, United Airlines
- Rental Car: Chair – Kevin Knorr, Hertz
- Lodging Committee: Chair – Jake Paine, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
- Travel Management Company Committee: Chair – Marlene Sexton, Omega World Travel
- Bus Committee: Chair – Andrea (Andi) Davis, Beltway Transportation Service
10:00 – 11:30 am EST
Government Meeting: DoD Connect for DoD GovTravels Attendees
Description: The Director of the Defense Travel Management Office, Mr. William Mansell, Jr. invites DoD stakeholders to his annual State of the Defense Travel Enterprise presentation. Learn more about where passenger travel in DoD is headed, recent travel management reform efforts, and DoD’s initiative to implement a commercial SaaS travel system to improve the future DoD traveler experience. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask their most pertinent questions about issues affecting their organizations.
11:30 – 11:50 am EST
Travel Industry Engagement – United Airlines
Topic: Return to Travel: How United is Helping You Safely Navigate the World of Travel During COVID-19
Description: Throughout your journey, we’re putting safety and cleanliness at the forefront of your travel experience through our United CleanPlus program. We are also helping ease the burden of travel with our new Travel Ready Center.
Speaker: Jonathan Mullings, Senior Manager, Business Development
11:30 am – 1:00 pm EST
Exhibit Hall and Networking
12:00 – 1:00 pm EST
Government Meeting: Federal Tort Claims Act Practitioners Meeting (by invitation only)
Description: Meeting of the Federal Agencies Tort Claims Roundtable
12:00 – 1:00 pm EST
Navigating GSA’s Long-Term Lodging Solution for both Buyers and Vendors
Moderators: Brian Assia, GSA and Jason Moore, LTL Committee Chair
Description: Gain insight and understanding on utilizing GSA’s Long-Term Lodging Multiple Award Schedule solution – both as a Government buyer as well as an industry vendor. Also learn about how this community of practice is working together to reshape this process to better serve everyone.
12:15 – 1:00 pm EST
DoD Dine Smart Program Overview
Description: The Defense Travel Management Office will provide insight into DoD’s new preferred dining program, DoD Dine Smart. Hear from the program manager who will walk through how the program works, outline the benefit to the traveler and DoD, and explain how travelers can earn rewards by enrolling in the new DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards Program.
12:15 – 2:15 pm EST
Government/Industry Meeting: GSA and DoD Meet with Bus Industry
Description: The General Service Administration and the Defense Travel Management Office will discuss the bidding process for Federal Agency and DoD bus/shuttle routes, avoiding common carrier pitfalls, and nursing the updated Groups Operational Passenger System (GOPAX), a new requirement of the DoD Bus Program.
1:15 – 2:15 pm EST
Integrated Lodging Program Pilot Overview for Government GovTravels Attendees
Description: Lodging Program experts from the Defense Travel Management Office, Military Community & Family Policy (MC&FP), and the Services will discuss the various types of lodging that are included in the Integrated Lodging Program Pilot – DoD Preferred, Public-Private lodging including Privatized Army Lodging, and DoD Lodging. Experts will share information on traveler safety and quality requirements, and explain how to book these facilities. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage and ask questions.
1:15 – 3:15 pm EST
Government Industry Meeting: DTMO Meets with U.S. Government Industry Representatives (by invitation only)
Description: The Defense Travel Management Office meets with U.S. Government Rental Car Program participating rental car vendors to discuss the program, the terms and conditions contained in the U.S Government Rental Car Agreement, and other relevant program related topics.
2:30 – 3:30 pm EST
DoD Bus Program Overview for Government GovTravels Attendees
Description: The Defense Travel Management Office invites transportation office personnel and others to learn more about the updated DoD Bus Program, including how Services and Agencies request moves and handle billing. Attendees will have the opportunity to share insights and ask questions.
2:30 – 5:30 pm EST
Government/Industry Meeting: GSA and DoD Meet with Hotel Industry
Moderators: Beth Carver, DTMO and Jennifer Miller, GSA
Part 1 – DoD Preferred: DoD Meets with Hotel Industry
Description: The Defense Travel Management Office invites hotel representatives to join a conversation about DoD Preferred. We will review program successes and provide insight into what’s to come in 2021 and beyond.
15 minute Break
Part 2 – FedRooms: GSA Meets with Hotel Industry
Description: Representatives from FedRooms will review last year’s successes, provide an overview of the 2021 program, and provide insight into what’s to come for the FedRooms program.
3:30 – 5:00 pm EST
Government/Industry Meeting: DTMO and GSA meet with Travel Management Companies
Moderators: Jerome Bristow, GSA and Howard Hicks, DTMO
Description: Join the Defense Travel Management Office and the General Services Administration for a discussion on issues related to Travel Management Company contracts.
3:30 – 5:00 pm EST
Government Meeting: U.S. Government Rental Car Program for Government GovTravels Attendees
Description: U.S. Rental Car Program experts from the Defense Travel Management Office will present an overview of the program, discuss the terms and conditions of the Rental Car Agreement, and provide key program tips for travelers. Federal Tort Claims Act Practitioners will be on hand to answer questions related to case processing.
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