Utah Chapter – Travel Panel Discussion

We look forward to seeing you at the April 2023 UBTA Luncheon.

This will be a panel discussion on the following topics: Sustainability, Work life Balance and Flexibility, NDC, Data: Everchanging

Collette Williams, AMEX GBT, Strategic Accout Manager

BIO: Collette Williams is a Strategic Account Manager with American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX GBT), Meetings and Events. Collette has served in multiple capacities within the Meetings & Events industry, the past 15 years her focus has been on Global Strategic Meetings Management (SMM), helping organizations implement the SMM business model, and delivering best-in-class practices. Additionally, Collette has been a featured speaker at a host of various industry conferences and is a sought after subject matter expert. In 2022, Collette was awarded the “Exceptional Leadership” Award by AMEX GBT for her design and implementation of a year-long training program for identified high potential talent. Additionally, Collette is currently studying for a MA in Strategic Communications. In her spare time, she can be found in her kitchen in the pursuit of a perfectly baked cookie.

Courtney Swander, General Manger Global Sales Consulting, Delta Air Lines

BIO: Courtney’s team supports the Global Sales teams consulting with corporate and agency customers. Her team’s goal is educate, support, provide transparency and create partnerships in various areas such as Online Booking Tools and Sustainability. Courtney has been with Delta for 10 years in various Sales roles.

Michael Lyons, Regional Head Travel Services, Global Procurement, HSBC Technology

BIO: Michael Lyons, Regional Head of Travel Services, HSBC, is a veteran of more than 30 years in corporate travel management. He began his career as supplier on the travel management company side, but has spent the majority of his career as a travel manager, primarily in financial services. An industry advocate, Michael has spoken about the value of managed travel around the world. A grandfather of four, with the fifth about to arrive, Michael spends most of his time trying to keep up them.

Garrett Parker, General Manager Hilton Salt Lake City

BIO: Garrett is responsible for overseeing the guest experience, commercial performance and hotel operations of the 499-room property located in entertainment district of Salt Lake City and adjacent to the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Previously, Garrett served as Complex Hotel Manager at the Hiltons of San Francisco Union Square where he managed the operations, sales & marketing, revenue management, and events & catering teams in the Union Square district of downtown San Francisco.

A 17-year hospitality veteran, Garrett began his career with Hilton in front office operations at DoubleTree Dallas Campbell Center, a 300-room hotel where he managed the overall operations during the night shift. Continuing in rooms division and moving up the ladder of success in front office and housekeeping operations, he held management positions at Hilton Baltimore, Capital Hilton and Washington Hilton before joining Embassy Suites DC Convention Center as Assistant General Manager in 2013. In 2016, he moved west as Hotel Manager of Parc 55 in San Francisco, a 1024-room Hilton hotel, where he drove notable results in team member engagement, revenue, and guests overall experience. In 2018, he was promoted to the Hotel Manager at Hilton San Francisco a 1921-room hotel.

Garrett holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and finance, with a Spanish minor from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. He also holds a Culture & Hispanic Studies degree from University of Salamanca, Spain.

When Garrett is thriving, he enjoys hiking, camping and traveling with his wife, 4 year old son and 1 year old daughter.