Rarely have changes affecting the overall situation in politics, society and the economy had such a dynamic impact on the business travel world as in present times. How are they influencing travel management decisions? From 7 to 9 March, at a panel discussion at the ITB Berlin Business Travel Forum, this is what experts from various countries will be discussing. Ron DiLeo, Executive Director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), will moderate a panel with high-ranking participants. Among its members are Herman Mensink, Vice President EMEA of the PRISM Group Inc., Lutz Stammnitz, CEO, Global Mobility Services, Siemens, and Vadim Zelenski, Chairman of the Russian Association of Business Travel.

Corporate size has long ceased to guarantee marketplace success, as evidenced by the example of numerous medium-sized companies catering to the business travel market who have found their market niche and enjoy a high reputation among their customers. Attended by leading figures from a variety of sectors, among them Otto Lindner jun., Chairman of Lindner Hotels & Resorts, the panel discussion entitled “Small is beautiful“ will debate success factors and talk about individual challenges.

A presentation by the Business Travel Committee of the German Travel Association (DRV) at the Business Travel Forum entitled ”Business Travel - a management issue“ will also be eagerly awaited. Travel management companies want to firmly focus senior executives’ attention on the topic of business travel. At the same time an exclusive report is due to arrive directly from the Federal Chancellery.

The topic of travel safety is also becoming more and more important. In the case of international companies this forms part of their risk management. Hans Jürgen Stephan, Managing Director of Control Risks Deutschland, will talk about existing strategies and instruments. Another panel discussion will debate whether the new Optional Payment Charge (OPC) really presents companies with an alternative.