GBTA Recognises “Innovative and Passionate” Volunteer

Services to European Travel & Meetings Management Appreciated

BUDAPEST, Hungary, 2012-09-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — GBTA  today announced Ms. Caroline Strachan, Global Travel Lead for Astra Zeneca and GBTA’s former European advisory board chair, as the winner of the GBTA Luoma Award.

The GBTA Luoma Award was created in 2011 in honour of Jutta Luoma, the Executive Director of the Finnish Business Travel Association (FBTA) who retired in December of last year after years of dedicated service to the industry in Finland and to the creation of a European, buyer-led association.

Mr. Torbjorn Erling, Global Meetings and Travel manager for Ikea Group and the present advisory board chairman in Europe, presented the award at the dinner of the associations’ European conference in Budapest, where nearly 400 travel professionals have gathered to discuss the latest industry issues.

Talking about Ms. Strachan, Mr. Erling said, “We don’t normally issue awards to those who have served at the highest voluntary level, but Caroline has been such a positive influence on this industry both in Europe and beyond, that there was no question of her receiving the award since she stepped down from European leadership.”

Paul Tilstone, GBTA Europe’s managing director, added, “Caroline has been an inspiration to me personally over the years and the important part she played in establishing GBTA in Europe should definitely be recognised.  She is an innovative, passionate and highly knowledgeable individual and I am delighted she has been recognised by GBTA.”

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.

CONTACT:      Paul Tilstone Mob: 07714225853 e-mail: paul.tilstone@gbta.org