ASTA and the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) will hold a joint-session called “The Future of Travel Distribution -- The IATA Solution” at ASTA’s Travel Retailing & Destination Expo in Los Angeles, Sept. 7 to 9. This interactive session, which will take place on Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will update travel agents and travel management companies (TMCs) on what IATA calls “authenticated shopping,” a system where, before receiving information about price and service options, a consumer or a travel agent must first identify himself or herself to the airline in such a way that permits the airline to tailor the “offer” to the traveler’s personal characteristics.

“These developments raise many questions. Among them are whether a collective global effort by airlines will sweep aside current managed-travel community economic relationships, the remaining visibility of fares and ancillary services, and the ability of travel managers to effectively control business travel costs, among many others,” said Business Travel Coalition Chairman Kevin Mitchell. “This session will address those issues and provide an opportunity in which participants can air and discuss their concerns.”