Blogs are becoming a critical component of the Internet landscape, and we believe blogs and the accompanying RSS technology have the potential to greatly enhance online marketing results.  Our goal with this weeklong blog is to provide the travel industry at large with valuable Internet marketing and online communication information while promoting and showcasing the power of blog technology.

 

The travel blog is part of an ongoing “This Week on IAOCblog.com” program hosted by the International Association of Online Communicators. IAOC (www.onlinecommunicators.com) is a professional membership organization that represents online communicators in more than a dozen countries. Membership is open to all those whose work or teaching is centered on Internet content creation, including online writers, editors, producers, college professors, public relations practitioners and online publicists.

 

Thank you for joining us this week - please feel free to post your comments and questions to make this blog as interactive as possible.  

Felix Laboy, Founder and CEO, E-site Marketing

 

 

Monday, March 7

Topic: RSS Technology and Blogs

Moderator: Paolo Torchio, Vice President, E-site Marketing 

  • Introduction to Blogging and RSS
  • Why RSS technology is important to travel marketers
  • How hotels and other travel industry professionals can utilize RSS technology & blogs as a marketing tool

Tuesday, March 8

Topic: Interview with Travel Expert/Journalist Rudy Maxa, Producer of Savvy Traveler on PBS

  • How travel blogs are impacting his work as a travel expert/writer – his view on travel web logs
  • How hotel and travel industry PR professionals can better utilize online technology to communicate with travel journalists
  • What it takes to secure hotel brand loyalty in today’s environment
  • Hottest destinations of the moment

Wednesday, March 9

Topic: Internet Marketing/Hospitality Industry Best Practices

Moderator:  Felix Laboy, Founder and CEO, E-site Marketing

  • ROI
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Search Engine Advertising
  • Interactive Media
  • Website Design

Thursday, March 10

Topic: Third Party Online Distribution Channels

Moderator:  Patty Hagar, Travelocity

  • Benefits of using an Online Agency to the Customer
  • Benefits of Online Agency to Suppliers
  • Grass Roots Marketing (Gnome Update)
  • Destination Live:  Travelocity's experts will cover everything from hot destinations, airport rules, finding great deals to America's local secrets.

Friday, March 11

Topic: Marketing Independent Hotels

Moderator: Andy Anderson, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Destination Hotels and Resorts

  • How to successfully market independent hotels
  • Experiential Travel
  • Baby Boomers individual perception