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Leading up to its APAC Conference this September, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently announced that it has formed a new regional Advisory Board in Asia Pacific. This strategic move aims to enhance GBTA’s presence and growth by engaging valuable local guidance and expertise to best serve members and partners in the region.
The 12-person APAC Advisory Board includes:
- Peter Koh, Executive Director, Head of APAC Integrated Travel and Expense for Goldman Sachs (Chairperson)
- Koreen Barbara, Global Travel Manager for McDonalds
- John Holden, Regional Lead/Global Strategic Sourcing APJ for Workday
- Carl Jones, former Managing Director, Southeast Asia for SAP Concur
- Jonathan Kao, Managing Director (Greater China) for BCD Travel
- Amarnath Lal Das, Vice President—India Travel Meetings and Events for Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd
- Ewan Lin, Travel Operations Manager APAC/Global Category Lead (Hotels) for Johnson & Johnson
- Michelle Low, Global Vice President of Supply Chain for Synergy Global Housing
- Mike Orchard, Principal Consultant, Lead of Product Development and Analytics Center of Excellence for FESTIVE ROAD
- Bertrand Saillet, Managing Director for FCM Travel Solutions Asia
- Timothy Tan, Senior Vice President Global Corporate Travel Management for UOB Bank
- Nichola Winchester, Asia-Pac Travel, Meetings and Events Leader/Global Corporate Card Leader for EY
“The new Board brings together many expert and diverse voices across the region. Their insights and industry experience will help GBTA be able to optimally serve the APAC region through the development of tailored programs and offerings for business travel buyers, suppliers, and companies in the region,” said GBTA Regional Senior Vice President for EMEA and APAC Catherine Logan in the association’s announcement.
The upcoming GBTA APAC Conference 2023 will be held September 19-20 in Singapore. More information about the conference, including registration information, is available here. Its massive annual GBTA Convention will take place this August 13-15 in Dallas. Additional information for the conference is available here.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[07.18.23]
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It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Richard Mishriky, founder of CTI Transportation in Houston, on July 14. He was 72.
The longtime Houston operator originally hailed from Egypt and emigrated to the United States after completing his studies in business administration at the American University in Cairo. After making his way to the Lone Star State and settling in the Houston area, he went on to found CTI Transportation, a company he ran for nearly four decades. In early 2022, Richard sold CTI to RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation.
He was very active in his adopted home city and the surrounding community, especially the tight-knit union of transportation operators in the area. He was a regular at the Limousine Association of Houston (LAH) meetings, the successor to the erstwhile Houston Area Livery & Charter Association (HALCA). The new association debuted in 2013 and expanded on LAH’s mission at a time when operators were adopting different vehicles like motorcoaches while also dealing with the emergence of the app-based companies like Uber. During his time with the association, Richard served both as treasurer and on the HALCA Board.
In addition to his wife, Jennifer, Richard is survived by his brother Emad, sister Hoda, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. CD offers our condolences to all of Richard’s family and friends. He will be missed.
Visitation and funeral information provided by the family:
Visitation:
Wednesday, July 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston
Church Service:
Thursday, July 20 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Bellaire, Texas, followed by committal service at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at 12 p.m.
Condolences:
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in his honor to Friends of Egyptian Children with Cancer (P. O. Box 155 Bellaire, TX 77402-0155) or to St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston.
Mike Fogarty of RMA Worldwide: Richard was a close friend for more than 30 years. He was generous with his time and resources, a knowledgeable businessman, and always willing to share his experience with other operators. His tremendous drive and strong will to live were only surpassed by his love for his wife, Jennifer. Richard’s presence will be missed at industry events, but his legend will live on in our hearts and stories.
Kris Korkian of Penguin Cars & Limousines: Very sad news! Richard was a humble gentleman who always had time to discuss industry related issues. We will definitely lose his wise opinions. Such an amazing person. Rest in peace, my friend. You will be missed.
Tammy Jordan McQurter of RMA Worldwide: My mentor but mostly my beloved friend. I will miss you dearly. Rest in heaven, my friend, until we meet again.
Mike Rose of My Limousine Service: Richard was one of the best! A true gentleman and industry friend. May he rest in peace.
Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide Chauffeured Services: Richard was a consummate gentleman. I always enjoyed his company and our conversations. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Andy Hernandez of CTA Worldwide Transportation: Richard, thank you for being a friend and for great conversations.
Tim Rose of Dolphin Transportation Specialists: Richard was the salt of the earth and would do anything for his fellow operators and friends. We worked together for over 20 years. Rest in peace, my friend, you earned it every day!
[07.18.23]
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- Category: Industry News
We’re thrilled to bring the 2023 CD/NLA Show to Orlando’s spectacular Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center this October 22-25. The show, made possible by all our generous sponsors including Title Sponsor Volvo, will give attendees a one-of-a-kind resort experience that places everything in a single space. In the newly expanded and renovated resort, you’re just steps away from our meeting rooms and exhibit space in the convention center, not to mention tons of fine dining at the property’s nine restaurants and sports bars.
Registration for the event is now open, and we’re currently offering an exclusive Early Bird Rate of only $449 through September 8. What’s more, NLA members can save an additional $75 off the registration price. Also, we’ve secured a block of rooms at the room rate of $249/night—including resort fees. Our room blocks always sell out, so be sure to book early to secure your room. Don’t miss out!
The CD/NLA Show is designed to arm operators with incredible ROI opportunities to learn, network, and have a bit of fun for one low price. Your pass to the show includes a staggering 12 educational sessions, covering topics that will appeal to owners of all sizes and markets; dedicated networking events like our Operator Mentoring Program, Women in the Industry event, and Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum; open-bar after-hours parties on Sunday and Monday, three breakfast and two lunches; and so much more.
As for our education offerings, we’re excited to share that members of our CD/NLA Show Education Committee—who are hard-working business owners just like you—have finalized more than half of the topics for our dynamic slate of seminars, workshops, and roundtables. Some of those topics include paying back EIDL and other loans, embracing/implementing and making money with EVs, succession planning for operators at every stage, a small operator session crafted and presented by small operators, an interactive DEI roundtable, a 101-level session on budgeting and setting up your financials, and the importance of consistent marketing. We are also doing reboot of the AI/ChatGPT session that we presented in Nashville with plenty of new info, updates, and advancements. Whether you’re an operator with one car or 100, we’re confident that you will find some immediate, useful takeaway from our sessions. As we firm up the last few details in the coming weeks, you’ll want to check out our website to keep updated of our agenda. To see our full schedule of events and sessions, just click here.
Special thanks to all our sponsors for their generous support of the CD/NLA Fall Show. In addition to Title Sponsor Volvo (who is also sponsoring our popular Affiliate Forum), we’d like to thank Supporting Sponsor MCI; Sunday Night Party Sponsor TEMSA; Monday Night Party Sponsors ANB Trans, Centennial Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, and Crown Worldwide Transportation; Pocket Program Sponsor Premier Transportation; Signage Sponsor BMW; Coffee Sponsor Buffalo Limousine; Lanyard Sponsor Lancer Insurance; Affiliate Sponsors American Executive Transportation and Boston Luxor Limo; NLA Member Meeting Sponsor National Interstate Insurance; and Mobile App Sponsor North Point Global Transportation Services. If you’re looking to sponsor or exhibit in Orlando, including Affiliate Tables, please contact CD Director of Events Jess Pavlow (jess@chauffeurdriven.com) directly.
Whether you’re flying solo or extending your Orlando trip a few extra days for a much-needed vacay with the family, we know you’ll love what we have in store for you for our four-day event. We hope to see you in the Sunshine State this October!
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[07.18.23]