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Matt Naeger

Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy
Merkle

Matt joined the Merkle team nearly four years ago through the acquisition of IMPAQT, a leading online marketing agency that he helped found and build. Matt brings nearly 20 years of experience in direct marketing and advertising industries, both online and offline, to his role at Merkle. As Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy, Matt is responsible for developing a team of digital experts that help clients identify new ways to utilize data to drive the decision making processes behind their online marketing programs and build better user experiences on the web. Matt has been instrumental in establishing Merkle as a recognized leader in the digital space by industry analysts such as Forrester research as well as the largest ad platforms on the internet. Having spoken on panels at virtually every major industry tradeshow, Matt is seen amongst his peers as a thought leader in Digital Strategy and a go-to resource.

Prior to joining Merkle, Matt was a founding member of the management team for IMPAQT where he held several roles including: Executive VP of Strategy, VP of Operations, and General Counsel.

Matt has a BS in Business and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a JD from Duquesne University School of Law.

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Matt.

Download The Latest Agenda

Day Two - Tuesday, April 28: The Customer Journey: Preparation, Experience & Building Customer Loyalty

Tuesday, April 4th, 2017

08:55 Using Customer Information To Deliver A Better Experience And Increase Value

This session will cover how first party customer data is creating an opportunity for travel destinations to speak more directly and personally to their visitors. It will provide insight into what data is available, how you capture it and how you use it to create personalized conversations and experiences that drive bookings. The presentation will also include a review of the necessary technology components to enable your marketing program and a case study showing how others in the industry are increasing the return on their marketing dollars through more informed media driving to better experiences and increased conversions.

13:50 Roundtables (Choose Two – One Hour In Duration)

1.Addressing Customers In The Midst Of Irregular Operations – Facilitated by Jeff Ulrich, Senior Manager, Emerging Technology, United Airlines

2. How Does Where You're Coming From Influence Where You're Going: The Role Of Geography And Analytics Reporting In Destination Travel - Facilitated by Norman Brauns, CEO, PACIFIC

3.Delivering For The Millennial-Generation Business Traveler: Fast And Free Wi-Fi, Grab And Go Food & Other Tailored Offerings – Facilitated by Devin Sung, Vice President, Digital Personalization, Marriott International

4.What Does The Future Connected Traveler Look Like? How Will Emerging Technologies Impact Service Delivery? – Facilitated by Jim Abramson, Vice President, Mobile/Digital Technology, Marriott International and Ian Ramcheran, Director, IT Business Partnership & Planning, Marriott International

5.Balancing In-House Capabilities With Solution Providers – What Are Your Core Competencies? – Facilitated by Steven Toy, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Fareportal Media Group

6.Beacons: Transforming The Travel Experience – Facilitated by Francisco Trejo, Senior Director, eCommerce, Hilton Worldwide

7.Optimize Your Path To Purchase: Understanding The Opportunity Of Ancillary Products In Digital Channels – Facilitated by Bob DuFour , President, Fusion

8.Using Customer Information To Deliver A Better Experience And Increase Value – Facilitated by Matt Naeger, Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy, Merkle

9.The Future of Digital Travel Marketing Is Contextual – Facilitated by Dave Frankland, Chief Strategy Officer, Strongview

10.Enhancing Website Accessibility – Facilitated by Brooke Brooks, Lead Information Architect, Southwest Airlines

11.How To Incorporate Programmatic Into Your Overall Marketing Program – Facilitated by Bill Guild, Vice President, Marketing, ChoiceStream

12. Optimizing The Booking Journey - Facilitated by Michael Wilson, Senior Director of Product Management, Webtrends
13. Data Means Nothing! Information Is Power! – Facilitated by Charlie Calabrese, Vice President of Operations, Performance Horizon
14. Maximizing Mobile Moments: Make It Easy, Make It Fun, Make It For Me - Facilitated by Alyssa Meritt, Head of Strategic Consulting, Urban Airship

Smartphones are the entertainment and helpmate of an on the go traveler. They are also 1:1 insights engines. This roundtable discussion will address how mobile is enhancing travel while providing a richer view into the interests and needs of travelers. Learn tips to start or accelerate your mobile program.