ATMC picks CWT’s Akeroyd as President
Trump wasn’t the only President elected this week, and we can almost guarantee this one was better received by the masses.
The Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC), the travel industry organisation representing and promoting business travel throughout Australia, has appointed Lisa Akeroyd, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand at Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) to be its new President, effective immediately.
Akeroyd has been Managing Director Australia & New Zealand at CWT since 2014, prior to which she’s held various other roles at CWT and Amadeus during her 17 years in the industry.
“I’m very honoured and proud to have been named President of ATMC here in Australia. I am really looking forward to working with the committee and its members to drive the industry forward,” said Akeroyd.
Akeroyd pledged to be a strong champion for the business travel sector in Australia as it navigates through technological disruption, changes in traveller behaviour and a challenging economic environment.
“With this great honour, I will be responsible for driving the industry forward. To me, this means staying ahead of the trends impacting corporate travel in Australia, working closely with the other ATMC members to find solutions to the various challenges we face collectively, and making sure that the business travel industry in Australia continues to grow and develop in the right direction,” she said.
Taking over from current President Craig Smith, Akeroyd paid special tribute to her fellow industry veteran: “I have big shoes to fill after Craig’s long tenure in the role. I thank him for all that he has done for the industry.”
Under Smith’s leadership, the ATMC has matured into a relevant national voice for the travel management sector focusing on raising best practice standards across the TMC category. Its collaboration with the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) ensures corporate issues are shared with relevant industry principals.
Smith, who has led the industry to new heights during his tenure also expressed enthusiasm at Akeroyd’s appointment: “I’ve admired Lisa’s development into the Australian market for some time and her enthusiasm to get things done is infectious. I can’t think of a more capable TMC executive to carry the ATMC forward.”
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