Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) is appointing Todd Kramer as vice president CWT Events EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).
In his new position, Kramer is responsible for developing and coordinating CWT’s events business in the region.  Based at CWT’s global headquarters in Paris, he reports to Marino Faccini, who is both executive vice president of CWT’s Mediterranean zone and responsible for the company’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy for EMEA.

Commenting on Kramer’s appointment, Faccini said, “Todd brings a wealth of industry knowledge and technological know-how to CWT.  His experience will be a great asset to us as the events business becomes increasingly complex with procurement and technology playing an essential role.”

Kramer has worked in the technology industry for more than 20 years.  Before joining CWT, he was president of Kramer Consultants, where he helped travel-related companies research, define, build and execute sales and marketing strategies and global expansion plans. His clients included hotel management companies selling their services via the Internet, meetings management organizations, and meeting technology companies.

Kramer, who is an American national, started working in Europe in 1987 as customer service and marketing manager for Data General.  After rising to sales and marketing director Europe, he moved to Compaq as general manager for the Middle East and Africa.  In 1996, he joined Mega International (a Gemini Consulting subsidiary) as president and member of the board of directors. In 1999, he became vice president of international business development at e-Travel (a division of Amadeus), where he was responsible for both the SAP and Oracle global partnerships.

Kramer has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Colorado and an MBA from Thunderbird - The Garvin School of International Management.

In another new development, CWT is appointing Floyd Widener as vice president sales EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa).

In his new position, Widener, 41, is responsible for developing global sales in the EMEA region.  He will also work closely with corporate sales teams in each of the countries where CWT is present.  Based at CWT’s EMEA headquarters in Paris, he reports to Richard Lovell, chief operating officer EMEA, and Martin Warner, executive vice president global accounts & solutions.

Commenting on Widener’s appointment, Lovell said, “Floyd brings to CWT considerable knowledge of the industry and the marketplace, a strong background in technology and significant experience with the corporate client base.  He is clearly a great addition to our senior management team.”

Early in his career, Widener worked in engineering and construction. Later, he spent three years in the development and sale of electronic directories and catalogues at Euredit, Paris.  Subsequently, after 18 months as sales manager for Amadeus France, he joined Sabre in 1998 as director sales & marketing France.  He went on to become managing director France and Benelux and was later promoted to vice president emerging business EMEA.  In his most recent position, Widener was vice president corporate EMEA, a position which included responsibility for GetThere, Sabre’s online corporate travel reservation system.

Widener, a U.S. and French national, has been living in Paris for 14 years. He is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in management and a minor in literature.
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