GBTA Announces Accommodations Panel at European Business Travel Conference

Executives from HRS, Booking.com, citizenM hotels and Acomodeo UG to Explore Impact of Technology on Accommodations Sector

Alexandria, VA (24 October 2018) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – and German business travel buyer association VDR, today unveiled another Centre Stage panel in an exciting line-up of speakers for GBTA Conference 2018 Berlin in Partnership with VDR, held 27-29 November in Berlin: Accommodation Panel – The Tech Effect.

Moderated by industry veteran Bernd Schulz, the Thursday afternoon panel will feature a range of accommodation providers as they explore the impact of technology on the way they meet the needs of the business traveller today and in the future. Panelists include:

• Ripsy Bandourian, Senior Director of Partnerships & Booking.com for Business, Booking.com
• Martin Biermann, CPO, HRS Global Hotel Solutions
• Lennert de Jong, Chief Commercial Officer, citizenM hotels
• Eric-jan Krausch, CEO, Acomodeo UG

“Technological advances have transformed nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from the ways in which we conduct business to the way our entire industry operates,” said Catherine McGavock, GBTA Regional Vice President – EMEA. “We look forward to hearing the insights of these executives, as they draw from their experience to discuss the impact of disruption and technology on the accommodations sector.”

“New online entrants in the accommodation sector have used technology to drive disruption in business travel, offering business travellers more choice and options than ever before. During this session we learn from some of the leading accommodation innovators and how they are using technology to generate further market growth,” added Hans-Ingo Biehl, VDR Executive Director and Board Member.

The conference will take place 27-29 November in Berlin, Germany at the Estrel Congress Center and will bring together more than 60 industry speakers and over 50 exhibitors from around the globe. This year’s theme, Momentum, is designed to address the rapid acceleration of change within the business travel industry.

Attendee registration is open now. For the latest developments and more information, please visit europeconference.gbta.org.

Media registration is complimentary. For media accreditation, please contact Nikki Stimson at nstimson@gbta.org.

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit gbta.org.