Asia Pacific, already a hub for economic dynamism, is set to redefine the face of business travel as the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) intensifies its efforts in the region. Bolstering its commitment to the global business community, GBTA is breaking ground with a new Advisory Board in the APAC. With a blend of expertise and regional know-how, the Board is uniquely positioned to address specific needs, devise strategic solutions, and foster growth for members and partners in the region.

“The diversity of voices and vast reservoir of industry knowledge of the new Board members propels GBTA to new heights in the APAC market,” says Catherine Logan, GBTA Regional Senior Vice President for EMEA and APAC. “Their pivotal role in shaping GBTA’s educational, communal, and advocacy initiatives will not only refine our service delivery but also stimulate the creation of innovative, region-specific programs for business travel buyers, suppliers, and companies.”

Heading the new 12-member GBTA APAC Advisory Board is Peter Koh, Executive Director, Head of APAC Integrated Travel and Expense for Goldman Sachs. The Board also comprises seasoned business travel professionals drawn from prominent organizations such as McDonald’s, Workday, SAP Concur, BCD Travel, Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd, Johnson & Johnson, Synergy Global Housing, FESTIVE ROAD, FCM Travel Solutions Asia, UOB Bank, and EY.

Supporting the Advisory Board and fortifying GBTA’s local presence, business travel industry veteran Maura Geertsma has been appointed Interim Regional Director for APAC, reporting to Logan. With her extensive experience and profound understanding of the regional business travel landscape, Geertsma is set to be instrumental in furthering GBTA’s initiatives.

GBTA’s key focus lies in tailoring its strategy to the unique interests and needs of the APAC market. The organization has ambitious plans for short-term and long-term initiatives, as demonstrated by the impending GBTA APAC Conference 2023.

Scheduled for September 19-20 at the Shangri-La Singapore, the Conference will bring together the business travel community to network, learn from industry leaders, and exchange knowledge. The event will be co-hosted with the Worldwide ERC Global Mobility Summit for the first time, offering delegates a unique chance to network and learn from both conferences.

Conference attendees can look forward to stimulating dialogues, roundtable discussions, and “The Big Idea” innovation workshop sessions. Timely educational sessions are planned to tackle topics across the business travel ecosystem. The Conference will also present the latest APAC-specific data from the GBTA Business Travel Index™ Outlook forecast, which offers valuable insights into the sector’s future trends.

For more information on the GBTA APAC Conference 2023, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, click here. Establishing the new GBTA Advisory Board marks a significant step in GBTA’s quest to revolutionize the business travel sector. As the organization forges ahead, the Asia Pacific region can anticipate a transformative era of business travel.

Written by: Jill Walsh

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