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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) announced during the opening reception of their annual European conference, the creation of a new award to recognise services to the European travel and meetings management industry.
The GBTA Luoma Award has been created in honour of Jutta Luoma, the Executive Director of the Finnish Business Travel Association (FBTA) who retires in December after years of dedicated service to the industry in Finland and to the creation of a European, buyer-led association.
Speaking about the award creation, Caroline Strachan, GBTA Europe’s advisory board chair, said: “GBTA Europe wanted to create an award to recognise those volunteers who have worked hard to create the right environment for GBTA to engage buyers and suppliers in Europe. The award is named after one business travel association executive who has worked tirelessly to help bring about a single, European, buyer-led network and the criteria for winning the award is based on this person’s credentials.”
The award recognises individuals who…
– work as volunteers to support the development of GBTA & our local market partners in Europe
– work in the best interests of the GBTA Europe members and industry
– are independent-minded and prepared to speak out
– challenge issues within the sector, both publicly and privately
– provide direction for European travel and meetings management
The award takes the form of a sterling silver compass each year, as recognition of the direction the winner has provided to GBTA in Europe and a reference to the need to sail unchartered waters and walk new pathways in the European business travel market.
In addition to the announcement of the award, and the presentation of an honorary copy of the award for Ms. Luoma, Ms Strachan then presented the first of the annual awards to the Head of Sourcing for Sidel and GBTA Europe Advisory Board member, Frenchman Mr. Yann Le Goff.
GBTA Europe identified Mr. Le Goff’s dedication to education and training in the French market and his support over the last two years to establish a GBTA presence in France & Belgium through the creation of a Francophone network as the key factors in the decision to award the first GBTA Luoma Award to him.
Paul Tilstone, managing director for GBTA Europe said: “He has done, and is doing, all of this because he believes that what we are trying to achieve in Europe is right for the French market. And for this he is deservedly our first winner and the 2011 Luoma Award recipient.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
