Travelocity.com Founder to Present Keynote at GHTA Conference
Grand Rapids, Mich.: The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), the industry’s non-profit professional trade association, announced that Travelocity.com founder, Terry Jones, will present the keynote address at its 6th Annual Conference to be held in Sanibel Island, Florida Nov. 20-22. Jones will speak on how a company can prosper in the age of globalization and the internet, encompassing this year’s theme.
Terry Jones led Travelocity.com as President and Chief Executive Officer from its founding until May 2002. Previously, Jones served as Chief Information Officer at Sabre Inc. Prior to that, Jones also served as Director of Product Development at American Airlines. Starting his career in the travel industry in 1971 as an agent in Chicago, Jones has over 35 years of experience and is truly a leader in the field!
Today, Jones is the managing principal of Essential Ideas, a consultancy he co-founded to help companies in their transition to the digital economy. He serves on the Board of Directors of Earthlink, Inc., La Quinta Corporation, Kayak.com, and is a special venture partner with General Catalyst Partners.
“We are honored to have Terry at this event,” says Ted Teele, Ex Officio Board Member and 2008 Conference Chair. “With his immense experience in helping companies transition to the digital economy, his talk will provide valuable insights to our participants on how to transform their businesses in this age of globalization and the internet.”
Designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for all participants in the gift and home industry, this year’s conference activities will incorporate the theme ‘Prospering in the Age of Globalization and the Internet.’ The informative and exciting event will serve as an ideal platform for vendors and sales agencies to plan for 2009 and beyond. This year’s agenda will highlight changes occurring in the industry and overall global economy, and will provide multiple ideas on how to capitalize on such changes. Speakers and breakout sessions will feature a variety of topics appropriate for all attendees, as well as several sessions exclusively for vendors or sales agencies. Various networking opportunities and social events will take place throughout the conference allowing all attendees to not only learn, but enjoy themselves while building relationships.
To register for the event, visit www.giftandhome.org for all forms and deadlines. A complete biography on Terry Jones can be viewed at: http://www.tbjones.com/bio.html About the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association: GHTA is the gift and home industry’s non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies and industry affiliates work together to improve relationships. GHTA’s mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA has four major initiatives: to educate sales professionals; to understand and educate the industry on opportunities for technological efficiencies; to support and cultivate the industry’s independent retailers; and to understand and educate the industry on showroom/trade show costs, statistics, schedules, opportunities and preferences. GHTA can be reached by email at info@ghta.net. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.
