Business Travel Day
Save the Date
On 29 October 2026, Worms University of Applied Sciences will once again be hosting its Business Travel Day.
Look forward to inspiring insights, the latest trends and valuable networking opportunities centred on business travel and mobility.
Make a note of the date now — we look forward to seeing you there!
With the Business Travel Day, the Institute of Business Travel Studies e.V. offers all interested students and professionals the opportunity to find out about current issues relating to business travel and to engage in discussion with one another.
Agenda 2026
10.00 – 10.15 am | Welcome
- Prof. Dr Alexandra Nonnenmacher, President of Worms University of Applied Sciences
- Prof. Dr Tobias Ehlen, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Transport
- Oliver Graue, Editor of fvw Travel Talk and presenter of the Business Travel Day
10.15 – 10.30 am | Elevator Pitch
Introducing the sponsors of Business Travel Day:
- Atlatos
- BCD Travel
- Enterprise Mobility
- Lufthansa City Centre
10.30–11.00 | ‘Business travel in volatile times’
- Jens Schließmann, Chief Executive of VDR – Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V.
11:00 – 11:45 | “Digitalisation and AI in Business Travel Management”
- Esther Stehning, Atlatos
- Christian Rosenbaum, Amadeus
Moderator: Dr Oliver Rengelshausen, Worms University of Applied Sciences
11.45 am – 12.45 pm | Lunch break
Make the most of this opportunity to network with our sponsors!
12.45 – 1.00 pm | The VDR’s mentoring programme for students
- Marijke Werschnik, VDR – German Travel Management Association e.V.
- Kerem Ay, Master’s student at Worms University of Applied Sciences
1.00 pm – 1.45 pm | “Decentralisation vs. globalisation in business travel management”
- Wolfgang Strasser, BCD Travel
- Verena Funke, Lufthansa City Centre
Moderator: Prof. Dr Andreas Wilbers, Worms University of Applied Sciences
1.45 pm – 2.15 pm | Coffee break
Make the most of this opportunity to network with our sponsors!
2.15 pm – 3.00 pm | “Local vs. global travel management”
Practical examples of collaboration with travel management companies, presented by VDR Young Professionals:
- Sandra Warneke, Adesso
- Celine Lara Beier, Eberspächer Group
Moderator: Prof. Dr Andreas Wilbers, Worms University of Applied Sciences
3.00 pm – 3.30 pm | "Entering the market in Germany and Europe – a success story?"
- Shamir Lindenberger, Enterprise Mobility
3.30 pm – 4.00 pm | Prize draw and wrap-up
To round off the day, there will once again be some great prizes on offer for those taking part in the Business Travel Day!
Host: Oliver Graue, FVW Travel Talk
Business Travel Day is organised in collaboration with
VDR
FVW
We would like to thank you for your support
Atlatos
Enterprise Mobility
BCD Travel
Lufthansa City Centre
Benefits for participants
- Networking: Through speed-dating, you’ll get to know representatives from the business travel sector. You’ll find out which companies are active in the sector and what career paths are available. You’ll also learn about work placements and entry-level opportunities.
- Inspiration and knowledge transfer: You’ll gain academically grounded insights into current topics relating to business travel. Company presentations and panel discussions ensure a practical focus.
- Target groups: Students and travel managers
A look back
Business Travel Day 2025
In these turbulent times, our speakers highlighted ways in which business travel, customer focus and mobility can be reimagined. Inspiring insights from the field, the panel and the world of politics demonstrated just how diverse the career and future opportunities are in business travel management.
- Jens Schließmann, VDR – Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V.: Keynote – “Business Travel in Volatile Times”
- Marcus Smola, Best Western Hotels Central Europe: “Exceeding customer expectations”
- Panel discussion: Careers in business travel management with Robin Janitschke, Zalando SE, Arne Kuchenbecker, Enpal, and Isabell Stölken, KfW Bankengruppe
- Jan-Wolf Baake, DB Fernverkehr AG: “Business Customer Sales at DB – Sales Challenges and Opportunities in the Context of Unsatisfactory Quality”
- Olaf Zinne, Enterprise Mobility: “Professional advocacy: The Game of Lobbies – when political positioning meets strategy”
Business Travel Day 2024
Through a series of engaging thematic sessions, Business Travel Day 2024 explored the various aspects of how increased sustainability requirements are affecting business travel.
- Jens Schließmann, VDR – Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V.: “VDR update on current developments”
- Isabell Stölken, KfW Banking Group: “Sustainable business travel management from a corporate perspective”
- Vera Slot, Lufthansa City Center: “Responsible Travel in Business Travel Management – Legal Requirements and Practical Solutions”
- Robert Löschke, ATG Travel Deutschland GmbH: “Sustainability in event management”
- Rainer Waldmann & Tanja Gross, BCD Travel Germany GmbH: “Integrating sustainability aspects into the booking process”
- Tom Bahre, DER BUSINESS Travel: “Sustainability with a focus on carbon offsetting”
- Wiebke Losekamp & Annette Kussmaul, VDR Sustainability Expert Team: “The role of hotel booking portals and accommodation providers in the sustainable business travel process”
- Ben Bauer, WorkFlex: “Workations and blended travel – what changes in the world of work mean for business travel”
