By Steve Hartridge, published 1/05/20
One of the business travel industry’s most prestigious annual awards events will this year feature two new categories designed to acknowledge creativity and innovation during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Business Travel People Awards, which rewards outstanding individuals and teams across all aspects of the supplier sector of corporate business travel management, will recognise both an individual and a company for ‘excellence in their approach and subsequent actions during COVID-19’.
Chair of the judging panel Leigh Cowlishaw, Managing Partner at Black Box Partnerships, says it is “highly relevant and really important” to recognise those who have ‘‘stood out’’ during one of the toughest periods the business travel sector has ever faced.
“The pandemic has seen us all – as individuals, as families, as businesses, as professionals, as industries – having to change direction, do things differently, make new decisions and really come together. In light of this, I am delighted we have introduced these two new categories,” she said.
Originally re-scheduled for the autumn, The Business Travel People Awards ceremony has been indefinitely postponed, with the organisers currently considering options for a pared down ceremony later in the year when the corporate appetite for attending events in the post-Covid climate becomes more obvious.
A more modest event this year will be welcomed by the trade, added Cowlishaw.
“Of course, awards ceremonies are always fun to attend, but fundamentally these awards are all about people, who are our industry’s biggest asset. Whatever concept we come up with this year, whether a smaller get-together or a virtual or digital ceremony, the most important thing will be acknowledging industry leaders.”
Judging of main categories is ongoing and nominations for the new categories can be submitted until May 31.
Keep reading The Business Travel Magazine’s weekly newsletter for further details of the 2020 The Business Travel People Awards
