SINGAPORE - HEDNA (Hotel Electronic Distribution Network
association) is holding its first University in Asia. The
two-day seminar is being held at Grand Copthorne
Waterfront, Singapore, on September 13-14. Sid Sattanathan,
director-distribution and revenue management for Millennium
& Copthorne International, said that more than 50 hotel
executives had signed up, but that the group size would
have to be limited to 50 to ensure maximum impact of the
course content. The seminar is jointly organised by HEDNA
and HSA International, one of the leading hospitality
training institutes in the US. It will be conducted by
chief executive officer of HSA, Mike Hampton. HEDNA is
stepping up its activities in Asia following a drive led by
Bernadette Dennis, vice president-worldwide sales of
Marriott International, to form a chapter in Asia. HEDNA
has also embarked on an initiative in Asia to encourage
non-IATA agents to become TIDS members so that their
bookings via GDS would enable commissions to be paid. This
would "prevent the current practice of each hotel company
providing these agents with different ID numbers,'' said
Sattanathan. He said the HEDNA University was timely
because "maximising distribution reach via GDS and the web
is critical and the course will assist hotels to clean up,
widen and polish the so-called distribution pipes and
channels." The September seminar, "Understanding
Distribution Marketing for Hotels through the GDS &
Internet", trains hoteliers on current and emerging
technologies in electronic hotel distribution. The two-day
course comprises learning modules that focus on electronic
distribution and electronic marketing. HEDNA University
training modules include workshop PowerPoint presentations,
a trainer's handbook with detailed speaker notes, suggested
case studies and other exercises. In addition, reprints of
selected articles are available for distribution to
workshop participants. For more information, contact:
mailto:sid.sattanathan@millennium-hotels.com.sg