ITM takes key role in business travel association expansion

Monday, 08 Jan, 2010 0

The Institute of Travel & Meetings is to manage operations as the US-based National Business Travel Association expands into Europe.

The largest global association for corporate travel professionals is creating a buyer-led, multinational European business travel and meetings network.

NBTA Europe is being created with the co-operation of partner associations across Europe.

These comprise of the ITM in the UK and Ireland, the Danish Business Travel Association, the Iberian Business Travel Association of Spain, Netherlands Association for Travel Management, the Norwegian Business Travel Association, and the Swedish Business Travel Association.

Members of these partner associations will automatically be members of NBTA Europe for the networks’ first year.

NBTA Europe will carry the tag line "powered by ITM". This means that the UK & Ireland association will manage the operation on behalf of NBTA.

Members of the NBTA Europe network will gain access to networking opportunities, education and professional development, industry research, plus CSR and benchmarking tools.

NBTA Europe will hold events throughout the year including forums and an annual conference to bring together Europe’s travel and meetings industry professionals for high level debate, discussion and networking. Details are to be announced soon.

Paul Tilstone, newly appointed NBTA Europe managing director, said: “We have some great plans for this network in the year ahead.

“We will be able to make a real impact on the industry in Europe as we take the size and experience of NBTA, add it to the knowledge and passion of local European associations and use the drive and innovation of ITM.

“This is just the start of something great for the European business travel and meetings community.”

The network is led by a combination of buyer-led “Advisory Board” and “Partnership Council”, with each of the partner associations retaining a seat on the council to ensure the network maintains a European feel and focus.

The Advisory Board buyer and supplier members are yet to be announced but will be led by Caroline Strachan, global category leader for business travel at Astra Zeneca, for the first two years.

Strachan, newly appointed chairman of NBTA Europe, said: "NBTA Europe will bring a new collective business travel buyer voice to the European community.

“Together NBTA Europe members and partner organisations will take the issues we experience in each of our countries and create a truly representative position to discuss with industry and government.”

NBTA global president & CEO Craig Banikowski said: "Europe is an important, complex market that deserves a cohesive, buyer-led network.

“The formation of NBTA Europe is designed to meet that need by bringing together travel and meetings stakeholders from across the continent.

“We will create new resources to help members advance their careers and drive greater travel value on behalf of their companies.”

by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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