Successful Meetings - April 2008 - (Page 19)

> Suppliers News & Analysis service, which may open up international flights to and from many secondary U.S. cities. Eyes now are focused on the next stage, which could open competition within domestic air lanes. “Stage-two Open Skies discussions, to begin shortly, will entail unlimited flying within other countries,” says Murphy. “That’s The Skies Are Opening The skies above us have never been so open, or so scrutinized. With the debut in March of the Open Skies agreement between the United States and the European Union, most onlookers are optimistic that completely deregulated international travel between the continents will offer more options to groups and, perhaps, lower prices. “Open Skies means airlines are free to fly as much as, and wherever, they want,” says Pat Murphy, partner at Gerchick-Murphy, a Washington, DC-based aviation consulting firm. “I think the longterm effect will be all kinds of new services, competition, and consolidation. The consequences are going to be pretty interesting and positive for the consumer.” The Open Skies agreement with the EU essentially eliminates the restrictions under which carriers could fly to other countries. Open Skies with the EU means any European based carrier will be able to fly passengers to any American city, and vice versa. “For middle-sized cities, it will be beneficial,” says Tim Punke, a partner with Monument Policy Group, in Washington, DC, and a consultant to the National Business Travel Association. “It has been very easy to go from New York to Europe, but for smaller cities this will change your view of flying from those points to the continent.” Some European carriers already have moved to take advantage of the new agreement. In January British Airways announced a new subsidiary, to debut in June, that will fly between New York and either Brussels or Paris. Further British Airways plans include flights between several U.S. cities and Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Milan. Meanwhile, European low-fare carriSUCCESSFUL MEETINGS APRIL 2008 er Ryanair has says it intends to start flying to the U.S., with service to such cities as Baltimore and Providence, RI. On the U.S. side, low-fare carrier Southwest says it’s looking at European Big Savings To Impress The Big Cheese. Choose Enterprise And Save Your Company Money On Business Rentals. The company you know for great cars, low rates and free pick-up offers a business rental program, too. Our customized program will save your company money, and deliver award-winning customer service to your business travelers at convenient locations, including all major airports. The Enterprise® Business Rental Program. Pick-up subject to geographic and other restrictions. © 2008 Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company. 808873 2/08 AM http://enterprise.com/business http://enterprise.com/business

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - April 2008

Successful Meetings - April 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Industry Trends
Suppliers
Events
On the Record
Suppliers
Planner's Spotlight
Technology Talk
Personal Success
Websites of the Month
Food & Beverage
On Site
Professional Development
On Site
Pre-Event
Professional Development
Miforum Q&A
Beyond the Flames
Reservation for—21,000
Casino Riches
Entertainment Jackpot
Who Needs a Passport?
The International Swing
Around the World in 18 Holes
Places & Spaces
Denver
Orlando
Missouri
Puerto Rico
Show Special: Washington DC / Frankfurt, Germany
Gurus

Successful Meetings - April 2008