While this event is open to both suppliers and buyers, buyers that are able to attend the all day session should instead register for the separately posted Travel Manager Exchange Forum.
This program is jointly sponsored by the Los Angeles and San Diego Chapters.

Travel Industry Pulse: Expert Panel on Pricing Strategies, Automation Trends & Operational Best Practices

Join Will Tate of GoldSpring Consulting as he moderates a dynamic panel featuring senior leaders from key sectors of the corporate travel ecosystem—including travel management companies, technology providers, and corporate buyers. This session offers a timely and comprehensive overview of the travel industry's current landscape, with a focus on:

•    Pricing Pressures: Explore how economic shifts, supplier dynamics, and demand fluctuations are influencing travel costs.
•    Automation & Technology: Understand the evolving role of AI, machine learning, and digital tools in streamlining operations and enhancing traveler experiences.
•    Best Practices: Learn proven strategies for optimizing travel programs, improving policy compliance, and driving value in a rapidly changing environment.

Attendees will gain actionable insights, hear candid perspectives from industry veterans, and engage in a forward-looking dialogue designed to equip travel professionals with the knowledge needed to adapt and thrive.

Agenda:
11:30 am  Check-in opens
12:00 pm  Networking
12:30 pm  Lunch Program begins
2:00 pm   Lunch program concludes

Self-Parking is complimentary.

Moderator:

Will Tate - GoldSpring Consulting - Partner

Will Tate, partner at GoldSpring Consulting, an independent travel management consultancy company, brings three decades of financial accounting and travel management experience to a wide range of organizations.
Beginning his career at Dresser Industries as an internal auditor, he led global operational and financial audits across 30 countries, and later served as its global travel manager, consolidating a global travel spend of $100+million. In 2000, Will joined Management Alternatives, Inc., and served as senior vice president while he simultaneously founded 3d Travel Metrics. He developed a software solution to quantify the effectiveness of travel management programs in a multi-dimensional format.
Will joined the team at GoldSpring Consulting because their goals aligned with his passion for providing exceptional travel management advice, focusing on the traveler service experience with procurement driven programs. Will’s turnkey, proprietary survey tool has created innovation in travel management by connecting these two critical travel components. This relationship creates tangible value, in spite of rising prices and ever- increasing traveler demands.
Further, GoldSpring’s suite of strategic analytic tools allows him to aggregate superior travel spend analyses for an in-depth look at the performance of current travel programs. The result is an independent set of recommendations for client air, hotel and TMC sourcing projects with a focus on the traveler experience. By maximizing travel spend and streamlining corporate travel management processes, Will highlights unrivaled savings and improved service levels for his clients.
Will has taught many industry courses and co-authored the GBTA course “Fundamentals of Business Travel Management.” Will is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas Tech University.

Panelists:
Kjarsten Philipsen - BCD - Sr. Vice President

Kjarsten Philipsen has over 25 years of experience in the corporate travel industry and is a strategic and commercial leader. As senior vice president regional (Western U.S. and Canada), at BCD he works across all levels of the company to influence key decision-makers, build trust, and motivate teams to achieve results. 
Kjarsten is responsible for preparing and implementing business plans, budgets and financial plans for his areas, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives and financial goals. He assumes full P&L accountability and evaluates performance metrics to identify and resolve any issues or discrepancies. He leads an experienced team responsible for strategic client partnerships across various sectors, driving key organizational goals such as top-line revenue growth, EBITDA, quality service, preferred vendor maximization, employee retention, and talent acquisition. Kjarsten leverages his experience in sales, account management, operations, marketing and distribution to deliver value and satisfaction to clients and partners.
Passionate about personal development, Kjarsten is past president, treasurer, and board advisor of the Global Business Travel Association – Los Angeles Chapter. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Los Angeles, with a focus on finance and strategic leadership.  

Kathy Burdge - Adobe - Sr Travel Global Travel Manager 

Kathy Burdge leads Adobe’s Global Travel Program, bringing extensive experience in travel management, including global strategy for travel, expense, corporate card, and meetings programs.  Her journey in transforming travel programs has included sourcing management roles at other companies including Cisco, GoPro, Levi Strauss & Co., Yahoo!, and several Travel Management Companies.
An active industry speaker, Kathy has served as President of the Silicon Valley Business Travel Association and chaired the Sustainability Committee for the Global Business Travel Association.
A California native, she enjoys traveling and adventures with her husband and 2 Portuguese Water Dogs. 

Tom Sweeney - Direct Travel - Vice President, Business Development 
 
As Vice President of Business Development, with over 30 years of travel industry experience, Tom is highly skilled in developing client-facing RFP content responses, client consulting, pricing, project management and one-on-one client presentations.
Specializing in leading both national and international mid and large market accounts and global consolidations and expansions, Tom collaborates with account management, implementation, global sales and other teams to secure new business wins and ensure ongoing client satisfaction, growth and retention.
Following successful bid awards, Tom maintains transition responsibilities from business development to client services, ensuring that contractual agreements are clearly understood and executable.
Tom also serves on numerous committees, reporting to Direct Travel’s executive team for the ongoing improvement and internal development of programs aimed at enhancing clients’ travel program quality, efficiency and ROI.

April Allison-Manager, Global Wireless & Travel-Stantec Consulting

April Allison is a result-driven Global Travel and Wireless Mobility Manager with over 16 years of experience designing, implementing, and optimizing corporate programs at Stantec. Based in Irvine, California, she brings deep expertise in strategic vendor negotiations, travel management technologies, and mobility solutions that drive measurable business values.
Throughout her career, April has successfully led initiatives that streamline global travel operations and mobile communications, improving efficiency and employee satisfaction while delivering significant cost savings. She is recognized for her ability to partner across departments, leveraging data-driven insights to align travel and mobility programs with organizational goals.
With a strong focus on operational excellence, sustainability and innovation, April is committed to enhancing the employee travel experience while advancing corporate responsibility and efficiency on a global scale.

Location:
Hotel Zessa, a DoubleTree by Hilton™
201 E. MacArthur Blvd. Santa Ana, CA 92707
Upon registration, attendees will receive a link, within their registration confirmation email, to book an overnight stay at this property at a special rate.

 
We appreciate our TMEF Sponsor, Ontario International Airport! 

We appreciate our Annual Sponsors!