The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today announced the launch of its Strategic Benchmark Group for travel buyers of companies in Europe which spend in excess of €200 million per annum in travel and entertainment.
This group will hold its closed-session, inaugural meeting at the GBTA European conference on 20th September in Noordwijk, near Amsterdam.
The GBTA Europe Strategic Benchmark Group has already attracted some of the world’s biggest company names, with ABB, Google, Microsoft and Nestlé SA named as some of the 16 company buyers joining the group’s leaders, Caroline Strachan of Astra Zeneca and Bernd Schulz of Siemens, in benchmark discussions concerning the strategic aspects of their travel and meetings programmes.
Speaking about the group’s establishment, Paul Tilstone, Managing Director of GBTA Europe, said, ”I am so pleased we have attracted companies of this calibre to sit down with each other."
"With talent like Caroline and Bernd leading this group, there’s no question that members will see real, long-term value in participation under GBTA Europe’s stewardship.“
Bernd Schulz, Head of Global Commodity Travel for Siemens, added, "To date the opportunity to share strategies for the biggest programmes has mainly been restricted to a local level. I am delighted that this has been recognised by GBTA."
GBTA Europe Strategic Benchmark Group members will be asked to complete detailed programme profiles and identify key topics for discussion prior to the September event to ensure participants get the most out of their face-to-face interaction.
The group will then join the main GBTA Europe conference, entitled the 3rd Dimension.
Details of the conference and the programme are available at www.gbta.org/europe.
