It’s a common gripe about the travel agency community that not enough young people are coming up through the ranks.
But, indeed there are some youthful bright-lights both in the travel agency community and throughout the larger travel industry.
So, suddenly, it’s all about the “kids.”
PhoCusWright is initiating a year-long program, The Class of 35, for rising travel industry stars age 35 and under, with the goal of “growing the size and quality of next-generation leadership in travel, tourism and hospitality.”
It’s an interesting time to take the pulse of the up-and-comers in the travel industry as Tnooz initiated with its Gen-Y Collective.
As the kick-off for PhoCusWright’s Class of 35, PhoCusWright will conduct a Youth Leaders Summit at the PhoCusWright conference in Arizona in November.
The Class of 35 will participate in a year-long executive development program, which will include interactions with travel industry hot-shots, conference sessions and quarterly online events.
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If only they would host events outside of America! And when I say outside America, I mean Australia.
Is this in the work?
That’s a big MAYBE Graham!
Graham
have a look here – we are moving in that direction
@ http://www.t1events.com
cheers
jeff
Graham: I have no idea if PhoCusWright would ever take this program international. Perhaps someone from PhoCusWright will answer your question.
I think Graham was just referring to PCW events in general. Reaching Phoenix is not easy.
Well, getting to America in general isn’t easy!
Geez, 37, miss this cutoff too. Must be getting old!
Me too – but I have 12 or so Gen-Yers to handle – that’s enough kids for me.
Some are more work than others… Right?
Yea, us youngins can be a bit of a handful
Alex: I know people, if you know what I mean. I could probably get you a fake ID:)
Jersey connections…
Why do PhoCusWright always keep conferences in Phoenix. Is there any particular reason ??
Deepesh – we haven’t had a conference in Phoenix since 1999. The last 6 years have rotated between LA and Orlando, FL. We go East/West on an every other year basis. Next year, we’ll be in Hollywood, Florida, on the coast, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Wow, pay $3,300 for a three day ticket, and have a chance to win $10,000 Credit to spend at other PhocusWright events?…… What a scam, these guys can’t even offer real cash as a prize!
Hi Ian,
Hardly a “scam”, I’d be happy to have a direct call if you’d like. If so, look me up on our website and send me an email.
The ticket cost is worth the price of admission, which is why we will have a record crowd this year, but if you don’t think so then you won’t want to come. The point is that The PhoCusWright Conference is primarily attended by senior level executives who do have the budget for a $3000 conference and this is a way to have companies support their young stars.
The benefits of the Young Leaders Summit are far greater than the prize, but maybe you either missed that part or don’t work for a company that is concerned with the objectives of the program that include:
* Grow the size and quality of next-generation leadership in travel, tourism, and hospitality
* Empower young leaders to fast track in executive management
* Foster meaningful interaction and collaboration among peers around the world
* Emphasize execution on actionable ideas
* Attract more of the best and brightest graduates into the travel industry
* Stimulate innovative thinking that generates positive business results
* Improve retention rates by empowering young talent to increase travel knowledge and forge professional relationships
* Tap into Gen Y’s powers of collaboration by strengthening their industry networks
Hi Bruce
Thanks for your reply.
Let me challenge you and suggest that the future leaders of the travel industry are in fact not going to emerge as well-groomed executives from established companies.
Instead, the future leaders of our industry are going to be those that challenge the status-quo of the travel industry, who don’t follow the lead from ‘senior level executives’, who think independently, and who create disruptive new technologies, services and channels that will take over existing markets. You only need to look at Silicon Valley to validate this point.
I don’t doubt that the objectives of your program are well intentioned, however by charging money for it it’s hardly as philanthropic to the industry as you make out, right?
Aha – Ian I can accept that challenge if you will indulge me.
First of all, to be clear – the cost is to attend The PhoCusWright Conference. There is no additional fee to participate in The Young Leaders Summit. The conference is unquestionably worth the price for those “who create disruptive new technologies, services and channels that will take over existing markets”.
The YLS is a value add, and we believe a big value add for the individuals and companies that choose to participate.
I agree with you that the future leaders of our industry are going to include those who challenge the status-quo, think independently and create disruption. However, these people are hardly only working at Silicon Valley type start-ups.
The innovation that is happening within some of the GDS’s, OTA’s and suppliers (hotels, airlines, etc.)on a global basis continues to be impressive. The Young Stars at these companies will certainly be among the future leaders in our industry, just like the smartest, most focused and effective young entrepreneurs will be. In fact, we already have at least one application from the CEO of a Silicon Valley, venture funded start-up that can be considered disruptive.
PhoCusWright has been leading the way since our founding in 1994 researching, consulting, and producing events related to how technology is disrupting the travel industry. We held our first online travel conference when online travel was a zero billion dollar industry.
I’m sure you know we also produce The Travel Innovation Summit where 34 companies demonstrate their products, services and/or solutions related to the search, shop and buy travel process. Disruption comes in many shapes, sizes and forms, from a company like the TIS winner of 2008, iM@ Interactive, a startup focused on mobile destination advertising to the 2009 winner, Amadeus, for their Travel Shopper product. I’m not familiar with your company, but perhaps The Travel Innovation Summit would be a more appropriate way for you to leverage The PhoCusWright Conference. While I can guess you might not like the price tag, I can tell you that past participants have consistently been more than happy with the event and the ROI generated.
As far as your comment regarding “well-groomed executives from established companies” – we never said anything about well groomed or established companies. But rewind to circa 1993 when an under 35 Rich Barton walked into Bill Gates’ office and disrupted the travel industry by convincing him that Microsoft should be in the travel business. This same Rich Barton is now back in the travel business as one of the 3 “senior level executives” (the kind of leaders you don’t think young stars should be following) who are the founders of a potentially new disruptive company – Travelpost. I think you get my point.
I think you missed my point a little bit –
The article above says that the YLS has the goal of “growing the size and quality of next-generation leadership in travel, tourism and hospitality.â€
You then said “The point is that The PhoCusWright Conference is primarily attended by senior level executives who do have the budget for a $3000 conference and this is a way to have companies support their young stars.”
I think we’re going to disagree, but my opinion is that the YLS is not necessarily the best way to attract or foster next-generation leadership in the travel industry.
Cheers,
Ian
Whilst I wouldn’t endorse Ian’s provocative wording, I think he makes a reasonable point.
As a cofounder of a travel startup that’s seeking to improve the industry by bringing in new and different ideas, this initiative doesn’t seem in the slightest bit welcoming.
As new entrants to the travel world, what seems to hold the industry back is the ongoing dominance of huge old companies, who are naturally more interested in preserving their dominance than embracing innovation.
Silicon Valley has long recognised that real change is driven by determined outsiders with fresh perspectives, unconstrained by vested interests and preconceptions about how things should be done. It seems overdue for the travel world to embrace this concept.
No disrespect to you Bruce for running this initiative in whatever way you choose, but let’s be clear about exactly whose interests are being served.
Hi Tom,
I get it. I started my first travel company when I was 22 and 10 years later, in 1994, built my first travel oriented website, when browsers were still black and white. PhoCusWright has consistently supported startups and established companies alike, and continues to do so.
The Young Leaders Summit welcomes young leaders of startup companies to apply, and those who have the opportunity to participate will find great value.
Again, as I mentioned to Ian, disruption occurs at all kinds of companies. For example, look at ITA Software. Are they closer to a startup or an established company? Are they a disrupter? If they have a star under 35, would that person benefit from joining the YLS and would the others in the group benefit from networking with that person?
PhoCusWright Must also consider rolling out this program in India. The travel Industry definitely needs initiatives like this.
Quality-knowledge- sense of community all need to be priority.
Philip, Ram and team – are you lisenting? What’s with all the events being held in the U.S?
Gee…must be wishful thinking on our part.
I think Meeteor is on to something with that comment, the rest of the world has some serious talent, so really we are looking at the “Youngest and Brightest of America”.
Off the top of my head I can think of three awesome candidates in Sydney alone that would make awesome additions: Yury Shar, Ian Cumming, Hichame Assi. I guess you could say it’s our fault for living on the bottom of the earth, but it would be beneficial for everyone to sprinkle in some international talent. Right?
Hi Graham,
We’ve already had two international applications – one of which is from an Internet Marketer in Australia. So, you won’t feel alone if you apply!
PhoCusWright also runs an event at ITB in Berlin and we’re always open to new opportunities in international countries.
Also, keep an eye out on Twitter – we’ll be announcing the winning nominees starting in October.
Hi Tahnee,
I couldn’t ask my company to put out that much money on me, I would feel too guilty. But I will follow it from here.
Rats. I was once under 35 and in the travel technology business. Where were you then? Oh, right, Travelmation.
Oh well, nap time.