GBTA Wisconsin Annual Event in Kohler

Join us January 13–14 at The American Club in Kohler for the GBTA-WI Annual Conference! Two days of inspiring speakers, industry insights, networking, and our signature Silent Auction. Don’t miss this kickoff to 2026!

Sponsored by: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

Agenda

Tuesday, January 13th

Registration begins at 12:00PM

1:00- Direct & Allied Sessions planned

2:00-3:00 – Exploring GBTA Opportunities

3:00-3:15 -Break-

3:15-3:45 Richard Rytman- State of current travel security and challenges with business travel

Richard is the Director of Global Security for the Kohler Company and responsible for developing and directing Kohler Co.’s security program worldwide. He is an experienced corporate security executive with a proven track record in leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence. His broad professional background includes that as a lawyer (prosecutor and general counsel), FBI Special Agent, and corporate executive. Richard received a BA in Computer Information Systems from St. Leo University, St. Leo, FL and a JD from Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee. He is a veteran of both the United States Navy (enlisted) and Army (officer).

5:00-8:00 Silent Auction

Dinner at Horse and Plow (On your own)

Wednesday, January 14th

7:00-8:00 Breakfast

8:00-8:10: President Remarks/Welcome Opening Session:

8:10-9:00 Billy Brimblecom- Keep Moving Forward (Motivational)

Billy’s presentations are highly engaging, blending powerful storytelling with humor and practical applications. His unique background provides credible examples that will resonate with correctional professionals facing daily leadership challenges.

Conclusiones clave

Resilient Leadership Under Pressure - Maintaining team focus during high-stress situations and organizational disruption
Turning Adversity into Opportunity - Transforming unexpected challenges into breakthrough innovations
Building Authentic Team Connections - Creating unshakeable team alignment and trust in demanding environments
Adaptability and Quick Decision-Making - Using improvisation principles for effective leadership when circumstances change
Leading with Purpose - Maintaining core values while navigating complex organizational change
9:00-9:15 Break

9:15am-10:30a Tahnee Perry -Humans Still Board First (AI in Travel)

AI can write your emails, summarize your reports, maybe even book a flight, but it still can’t calm an irate traveler at 11 p.m.

This session is for anyone curious about how AI can help without replacing what makes your work matter. We’ll dig into real travel examples, test a few tools, and build practical workflows you can put to use right away.

You’ll learn how to:

Identify where AI genuinely improves your work
Experiment with tools that lighten your workload
Translate ideas into quick wins you can bring back to your team

10:30-10:45 BREAK (time to checkout)

10:45-11:30 Fred Bowen: Content Chaos in Corporate Travel

A look into the current status of Airline content distribution. This would include a closer look into the various options available to corporate travel managers when sourcing content. Additional information on the current status of NDC, and other potential disruptions which could involve AI.

Conclusiones clave:

A better sense of what options are best for your specific corporate travel program needs.
The associated potential impact of each option
What the future holds for travel content and what should I keep an eye out for.
Fred Bowen is the Sr. Director of Corporate GDS & Global Business Accounts at Amadeus, where he focuses on enhancing corporate travel programs through advanced technology and content aggregation.

Fred also supports the GBTA community as a current member of the Aviation Committee as well as previous roles with both the Payments and Technology Committees. He is an active speaker on NDC and AI initiatives within travel and has spoken at over 20 different local GBTA chapters.

Prior to joining Amadeus, Fred worked at several innovative tech startups as well as notable travel and technology companies including America Online, Microsoft, Sabre and American Airlines.

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11:30-12:45 Lunch Serve Lunch, Sponsor Presentation, Sponsor Presentation, GBTA-Wisconsin Business Meeting

12:45p-1:00p BREAK

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1:00p-3:00p Dr. Mark Taylor – What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been- Managing Across the Generations

Successfully navigating and managing with our coworkers, travelers and travel partners requires being able to understand, motivate and communicate effectively with everyone in the workforce, from each generational group. This session will address the most current generational characteristics, issues and dynamics with immediately applicable and impactful recommendations for being an effective leader, and in developing the most productive and positive working environment.

Takeaways/outcomes:

Generations in the workplace illustrate and reflect larger social changes
Each generational cohort brings valuable perspectives, and leadership needs to the workplace.
The leadership needs of younger workers are often incongruent with managers’ experiences and preferences.

3:00p-3:15p- Wrap up, prize drawings,

Lugar de reunión:

El club americano
419 Highland Dr.
Kohler, WI 53044
https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/accommodations/the-american-club

For reservations: Call 866-934-5085 – Reference room block name: Global Business Travel Association- WI Chapter – GBTA 2026 Annual Conference & Silent Auction
American Club Room Rate: $154.00
Inn on Woodlake Rate: $119.00