GBTA WINiT

WINiT Awards 2002: Celebrating Those Driving Change for Women in the Travel Industry

GBTA WINiT and professionals from across the global travel industry gathered last night at the Westin New York Times Square for the GBTA WINiT 2022 Awards and Gala to honor industry volunteers who give back to others as achievers, innovators, change makers, mentors and more. The sold-out event recognized and celebrated the women, men, and companies who in 2022 continued to drive positive change for the career development, growth and advancement of women across the travel sector.

“Continuing to foster the careers and lives of women professionals in travel-related industries is core to the mission of WINiT. It is our honor to acknowledge the outstanding people and companies as nominated by their peers who have gone above and beyond in volunteering their time and efforts for the benefit of so many and, ultimately, for the future success of our industry,” said Michelle (Mick) Lee, Founder and Chair, GBTA WINiT.

The GBTA WINiT Awards Program consists of five award categories – Pinnacle Awards, Leadership Awards, Individual Awards, Company Achievement Awards, and Top 50 Women in Travel.

Some of the special recognitions were the Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Dorothy Dowling, Principal, Introspect Strategic Advisory Services.

Pinnacle Awards recipients for Outstanding Woman of the Year went to Elaine Osgood, CEO, Atlas Travel & Technology and the Founder’s Award went to Laura Smith, Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Marketing & Customer Experience, Hertz Corporation.

Read the full announcement and see and celebrate all 14 winners here.

Learn more and how to get involved in GBTA WINiT.

Industry Spotlight

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GBTA Survey
Membership Giveaway and Education Survey

GBTA’s commitment to community, learning and advocacy is designed to bring the global business travel industry together so our members can learn from and inspire one another, develop as businesses and as individuals, and collectively move the industry forward – through many voices and one purpose. In celebration of the new era and brand for GBTA and its member-focused journey, during Convention CEO Suzanne Neufang announced onstage that the association will be awarding 500 free GBTA memberships* which you can use for yourself or pay it forward as a gift for someone else.

If you, or someone you know, would benefit from access to thousands of resources and peer-to-peer interaction but has been unable to secure the funding to join, we encourage you to complete and share this survey. Not only will you be providing your voice and views to help GBTA better understand and serve its members and their current and future education and programming needs, but you can also foster professional and career growth for yourself or someone else who could benefit. If you are among the first 500 to fully complete the survey, you can secure one of these free memberships* for yourself or someone else who may not otherwise be able to join.

* GBTA members will vote for new Board of Directors, including President and Vice President to lead the Association in the summer of 2023. Per association bylaws, individuals with free memberships fall into the non-voting member category. As such, any opting for this free membership are not eligible to run for GBTA elected positions or to vote in GBTA elections during the term the free membership is effective. Only fully paid GBTA members are eligible to vote or run for elected offices.

October GBTA Volunteer of the Month

GBTA’s volunteer of the month for October is Laura Choules. As Director Travel Industry Partnerships for Global Hotel Alliance, Laura manages partnerships within the EMEA and APAC regions and manages an internal referral tool for the members of GHA.

In her nomination, Laura’s peers highlighted her confidence and balance. Her peers describe Laura as a fantastic mediator and great public speaker with an ability to put anyone at ease when speaking with them. Laura has taken many active volunteer roles in the GBTA Ladders Mentorship program over the years. She started her journey as a mentee, then returned as a volunteer. She just completed her term as Co-Chair of the program and continues to give back on the Ladders Advisory Board. GBTA is proud to have Laura Choules on the Advisory Board and as October’s volunteer of the month.

PATA - GBTA APAC Travel Summit 2022
Price Break Ends Monday, October 31

Last chance to register before Monday, October 31 to receive a lower price for the PATA & GBTA APAC Travel Summit 2022 a two-day educational and tradeshow event, under the theme “Getting Back to Business Travel, Tourism, and MICE,” as we address the key issues facing the industry today. Don’t miss out on this unique event for business travel and meetings management professionals to gather, innovate and learn about the region’s return to travel and new products and services. Be sure to check out the agenda, education sessions, and speakers here.