The National Business Travel Association will expand its international presence and tailor services for a younger generation through new communication channels, said Hilton Hotels director of global travel management Craig Banikowski, who will succeed University of Texas Athletics travel buyer Kevin Maguire as president and CEO at NBTA's International Convention & Exposition in San Diego in August.
Banikowski, now president of the Los Angeles Business Travel Association, has been a direct member of NBTA since 1998. He also served as president of the Rocky Mountain Business Travel Association from 2004 to 2005. Before Hilton, Banikowski was a travel buyer for First Data Corp. and Janus Capital Group.
Banikowski assumes the presidency as the association strives to fill the executive director and COO role recently vacated by Bill Connors
(BTNonline, May 1). Banikowski, who is part of the search committee, said he is hopeful a replacement will be found by the convention. "With both of us coming new, as well as additional board members being new, you look at it as new blood," he said. "We've got the success of the past. We've got Kevin Maguire operating as past president. We've got [Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network president and CEO] Scott Solombrino as the allied leadership council president. We've got some incredible strengths, but we also have the newness of a new set of eyes."
Banikowski also arrives on the heels of a failed merger attempt with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, and said he would continue to pursue that course if there is interest from ACTE. "We truly have the door wide open should they wish to reconsider," he said.
In addition to expanding internationally, Banikowski said NBTA must focus on the membership's changing age demographics. "Knowing how to address that and being aware of these constant changes," he said, "is critical for us to deliver accurate and cogent content."
Meanwhile, NBTA chapter presidents' council president and Monsanto travel manager Jim McMullan will replace HSBC vice president of travel services Michael Lyons as NBTA vice president. Banikowski and McMullan are running unopposed in elections to be held during the convention.
Six buyers are running for three direct-member director-at-large board positions: California statewide travel manager Donna Carey, Thomson Reuters director of travel services Sharon Fogarty, BDO Seidman national director of procurement and travel Cynthia Gillen, Hewlett-Packard travel strategist Jeff Kurn, MillerCoors manager of strategic sourcing Pamela McTeer and Atmel corporate travel manager Mark Ziegler. Eleven suppliers are running for one allied-member director-at-large position.