Speakers for the Incoming and Brand Summit, 8 and 9 December 2016, Sheraton Munich Arabellapark Hotel

Dr Sandra Maria Gronewald Journalist

Dr Sandra Maria Gronewald is a television presenter for German public service broadcaster ZDF, one of Europe’s largest stations, and works on the daily Hallo Deutschland programme, among others. She also appears in front of the camera for Deutsche Welle TV, which is broadcast internationally, presenting travel programmes in several languages.

Your presenter for the Incoming and Brand Summit 2016

Speakers, 8 December 2016

A STRONG BRAND IN THE MARKET – DESTINATION GERMANY IN THE NATION BRANDS INDEX

Bill McAndrews Vice president of Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications, BMW Group

Born in the US, Bill McAndrews is vice president communications strategy, corporate and market communications at the BMW Group, where he has been a member of the corporate and governmental affairs division since September 2006. Before joining the BMW Group, Bill worked for RWE AG in Essen, Germany, where he was head of group press relations and deputy senior vice president of the group corporate communications division from 2001 onwards. Prior to that he was head of international communications at Deutsche Telekom, having previously worked in the same field with a range of other leading international DAX companies.

BMW – AN OUTSTANDING BRAND ‘MADE IN GERMANY’

Vadim Volos Global director for Anholt-GfK Nation Brands Index and City Brands Index; Senior Vice President Public Communications & Social Science (PCSS), GfK Custom Research, New York

Vadim is a multi-cultural research expert with two decades of experience in managing global surveys among consumer and business constituencies on corporate and place reputation. He is consulting corporate and non-profit clients on market-based guidance for communications planning, positioning, reputation risks and policy issues.

Speakers, 8 December 2016

PHOCUSWRIGHT: INSIGHTS INTO WORLDWIDE DESTINATION BRANDING

Simon Lehmann President, Phocuswright, New York

Simon was previously the CEO of Biketec AG, the producer of the FLYER E-bikes located in Huttwil, and CEO of Interhome, the European market leader in placing more than 32,000 vacation apartments, vacation homes and chalets in 29 countries. Mr. Lehmann’s past experience also includes deputy CEO of the Hotelplan-Gruppe in 2012, where he was responsible for the Travel Related & Online Services Division (including Interhome and the online travel agency travel.ch). Over the years, Lehmann made a name for himself beyond the Swiss borders as an online expert of the travel industry in general, but especially in the vacation rental industry. Simon Lehmann is frequently invited as a speaker for online travel events worldwide and is asked on board as a consultant for startups. He was also a non-executive board member with HomeAway until they were sold to Expedia. Prior to his time at Interhome, Simon was active in various top management positions at Swissport International, a worldwide leading company in the area of airport ground handling and former Swissair Group company. Simon Lehmann is based in Widen (AG) and is married with five children.

Franz Inselkammer junior Owner and Managing Director of the family-owned Ayinger brewery near Munich

In 2010 Franz Inselkammer III became the managing director of his family’s famous brewery, Ayinger. It is not just down to his genes that the young brewer meets the requirements for this important position. His suitability is also underlined by his career to date: after leaving school he joined the Andechs abbey brewery to learn the trades of brewer and maltster, before embarking on a business degree. Franz Inselkammer Jr heads the family business as the sixth ‘Bräu von Aying’, and he places great value on maintaining the authenticity of Bavarian beers and traditions. The Aying brewery has won several prestigious international awards, including Best Brewery in Europe in the European Beer Star competition, and enjoys growing popularity both at home and abroad.

BEST PRACTICE: ‘BAVARIAN BRANDS BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY’

Speakers, 9 December 2016

TRIPADVISOR.COM: ONLINE REPORT AND REVIEW – EXPERIENCE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

BEST PRACTICE: AN INFLUENCER REPORTS – ENGAGING IN DIALOGUE WITH FANS & FOLLOWERS

Justin Reid Head of Destination Marketing, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Tripadvisor.com, London

Justin Reid has worked at TripAdvisor since November 2014, and is responsible for all destinations across Europe, Middle East and Africa. For him the key focus for any destination should be to ensure they are getting their best content in front of the right audience at the right time.

Justin Reid spent 12 years at VisitBritain from 1999 to 2011 during which time he was Head of Digital and created the social media channels that are so successful today. In between these 2 jobs he spent time at an internet start-up company specialising in Facebook apps, and agency side specialising in employee branding where he was responsible for making BP appear like a more attractive employer around the world. Not surprisingly he’s very happy to be back within the tourism fold.

Outside of work Justin Reid is a father of 2, a keen runner and a rugby fitness coach.

Alex Villain (a.k.a Alex VIZEO) Travel Blogger & influencer – Vizeo.net (French speaking audience)

Alex Vizeo has been a travel blogger for 6 years.

From the first day, his goal was to encourage as many people as possible to travel. He wants to prove through his videos that travel is accessible to everyone, and if he can do it, anyone else can too.

After 5 years experience as an advertising sales manager at Voyages-sncf.com, the leading online travel agency in France, he went forth to realize his dream: travel around the world for one year. It was the start of his travel blogging adventure. In 2011 he created his blog Vizeo.net and was awarded Best Travel Blog in France the same year by Golden Blog Awards. After completing his world trip, he decided to change his life and make travel blogging a full time profession. In 2014 he was selected „Favorite Travel Blogger“ in France and became part of the Top 15 Travel Influencers in the World in 2015. He collaborates mainly with tourist offices, airlines and tourism brands, creating content for them with his own style.

In his free time, Alex likes to challenge himself by practicing different sports activities and spending time in the wild.

nSIGHT: HOW IS BOOKING BEHAVIOUR INFLUENCED BY EXTERNAL INCIDENTS?

Speakers, 9 December 2016

Rich Maradik CEO, nSight for Travel, Nashville

A 20-year hospitality and data management veteran, Rich connects ideas and people with technology and resources. Rich is Founder of nSight, an innovator in consumer shopping intelligence for the travel industry. He is an award-winning entrepreneur known for developing solutions that leverage big data. Rich was co-founder and CEO of SmartDM, a top data management company (later acquired by Acxiom, NASDAQ:ACXM) recognized by Inc. magazine as the “Best Company Started for $1,000 or Less.”

Most recently he was CMO of Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE:RHP), leading sales, marketing, revenue management, strategic alliances and IT from 2006 to 2012, until the brand was acquired by Marriott International (NYSE:MAR).

A Vanderbilt University graduate living in Nashville, Rich is an active industry speaker and serves on the board of the U.S. Travel Association.

GERMANY, ONE OF THE LEADING BRANDS FOR MICE BUSINESS, MEGATRENDS SHAPING THE INDUSTRY AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE

Matthias Schultze Managing Director, GCB German Convention Bureau e. V.

Matthias Schultze is the Managing Director of the GCB German Convention Bureau e. V.. The GCB is the central marketing organisation representing the conference and convention interests of meeting destination Germany. Matthias Schultze studied business management at Heidelberg Hotel Management School and worked for Brenner’s Park Hotel in Baden-Baden, Hotel Le Bristol in Paris, Bayerischer Hof in Munich and Hilton International. He has been an executive board member of the World Conference Centre Bonn – the convention centre incorporating the former German parliament buildings in Bonn. Matthias Schultze has held the position as Vice President of the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) and for several years he was a member of the GCB’s marketing committee.