By Bev Fearis, published 15/07/20
The winners of this year’s prestigious Business Travel People Awards will be announced at a virtual, live ceremony at 16.00 on Friday September 18.
The awards, now in their ninth year, recognise outstanding individuals and teams across all aspects of the business travel and meetings industry whose professionalism and business excellence make them stand out from their peers.
This year, two special categories have been introduced to acknowledge a company or organization and an individual for their innovative and caring approaches during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
The shortlist will be announced in the coming weeks.
An esteemed industry panel will be judging the entries, including Chair Leigh Cowlishaw, Joint Managing Partner of business travel consultancy Black Box Partnerships.
“After all we’ve been through there really is no better time to be recognising and celebrating the incredible talent we have in the industry,” said Cowlishaw.
“Our people are our biggest asset and during this crisis they have stepped up, over-delivered and come together as an industry. As the market recovers it will be fantastic to stage this event and reward the people who have gone above and beyond.
“As with any awards, there will only be a select few who are crowned the winners but these events give us, as judges, the chance to see the achievements of all those nominated and to see the fantastic work that’s being done in our industry.”
Cowlishaw said it was particularly important to recognise how people in the industry have responded to the coronavirus pandemic with two additional special awards.
“We’ve all been under immense pressure in recent months and the industry has been massively impacted, so it’s amazing that we can stage this event to showcase and reward organisations and individuals for their efforts during this tough time,” she added.
This year’s People Awards are free to attend and details of how to register will be shared closer to the date.
Kirsty Hicks, Commercial Head Business Travel at organisers BMI Publishing, said: “Hosting the awards virtually means we can make attendance free of charge, which will allow as many people as possible to share in the moment when we announce and celebrate the winners.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see the nominations and have been really moved by how much the people in our industry are valued by their peers and by the effort taken to submit detailed nominations.
“I’d also like to thank our team of judges and chair Leigh for their ongoing support, which has been invaluable.
Added Hicks: “We look forward to returning to the usual in-person ceremony in 2021, but for now I am really excited to be hosting the virtual ceremony, along with Leigh and Bev Fearis, the new Editor of The Business Travel Magazine, on September 18.”
Meanwhile, BMI Publishing has re-scheduled The Business Travel Conference (TBTC), due to take place this September, to the new dates of September 14-15 2021, back at Hilton London Bankside.
“TBTC is all about networking face to face so attempting to host it virtually would just not be the same for either our delegates or exhibitors,” said Hicks.
“We’re pleased that many of our 2020 exhibitors have already reconfirmed their attendance for 2021.”
For more information on the conference, go to thebusinesstravelconference.com
