Search engine giant Google’s Scott Field is to be one of the keynote speakers at this year’s GTMC Overseas Conference being held in Doha (11 -13 May 2012). Field, Google’s Head of Online Travel is set to address the 130 strong audience of CEO’s, managing directors and senior managers and will be highlighting the technology company’s plans for the business travel arena.

This year’s GTMC Conference has the theme of Drivers of Change and with Google’s purchase last year of ITA Software and its subsequent launch of Flight Search and Hotel Finder the session is being widely anticipated as the chance for the travel management community and its partners to compare notes and exchange views with new players emerging into the sector.

Field’s address will be followed by a panel session with major technology players including Travelport and Google themselves.

Commenting on the announcement Anne Godfrey, GTMC CEO said: “Given the huge changes in our sector, from technology to regulation and economics to social travel trends we have selected the theme “Drivers of Change” to examine all the developments that are dictating the pace. Clearly, in the search and distribution segment no one is dictating that pace more than Google and it will be fascinating to hear their views and the responses of our members and our partners”

The 20112 GTMC conference will take place between 11 - 13 May in Qatar at the W Hotel & Residences, Doha, with Qatar Airways as the partner airline.  Qatar Airways’ chief executive officer, Mr Akbar al Baker, will deliver the conference’s opening keynote address.