Shanghai-based hotel executive Brian Deeson has been appointed the new chairman of PATA and Travel Agent has learned of an upcoming opportunity for agents to meet Deeson. Deeson, a 30-year travel industry veteran, is currently CEO of Greater China and senior vice president of Asia Pacific for Accor Hospitality. Deeson will serve a one-year term as PATA chairman, taking over from Richard Beere, director of international marketing for Tourism Australia. In his initial comments as chairman, Deeson highlighted global warming and the shortage of human resources as two of the biggest challenges facing the travel industry today. North American travel agents may have an opportunity to meet Deeson. "We plan to extend an invitation to Mr. Deeson to have him open the PATA 2007 America Division AGM, which is set for November 29 through December 1 in San Francisco at the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf," says Jim Ferguson, regional director North America, PATA. Ferguson noted that these are revised dates for the event. Visit [www.patanorcal.org].
