Founder and Former CEO of Travelocity to Open HITEC 2009

Stressing the importance of developing digital relationships as part of company strategies, Terry Jones, founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com and former CIO of Sabre, Inc. will open the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) on Monday, June 22 at 4 p.m. with his session - Building Digital Relationships.

HITEC 2009, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), will be held June 22-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. USA.

At the HITEC Opening Session, attendees will discover what companies like Travelocity, Kayak.com, La Quinta Hotels and Earthlink are doing in creating, leading and implementing CRM strategies that leverage the digital world.

Jones will explore this extensive world with examples drawn from all types of online and offline companies as he discusses the latest techniques for e-marketing, the evolution of search and how broadband is changing consumer behavior online. Attendees can walk away with a plan on how to craft a multi-channel strategy to deal with tomorrow's marketplace.

As founder of Travelocity.com, he led the company as President and CEO from its founding until May 2002. With Travelocity.com, he took an idea and created a business that now has over 40 million members and over $5 billion in travel bookings. He has first-hand knowledge of creating a national brand, thriving in rapidly changing markets and using technology for a competitive advantage.

Previously, Jones served as CIO at Sabre Inc. In his 24 years at Sabre, Jones held various executive positions including president of computer services, vice president of applications development and vice president of product development.

Other experience includes product development with American Airlines, travel agent specializing in Eastern Europe and more. Jones is now 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.

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