The Role of European Partners
NBTA Europe is a network of established associations who abide by the same principles. These are:
Not for profit - profits are used to further the aims of the associations rather than being paid to shareholders
Buyer Leadership - each partner association is run by a board with a buyer majority and a chairman/president who buys or manages business travel and/or meetings on behalf of their company
Common Purpose - each association aims to provide a service to travel and meeting professionals through education, research, events and professional development.
Experts in their field - each partner association knows their local markets intimately, so the combination of partners allows any network member to get the most detailed local market information.
Membership organisations - Either as individuals or as companies, in order to be a part of NBTA Europe you must belong to one of the partner associations if they operate in your country of residence. Membership ensures commitment and collective contribution for the benefit of all.
The network of association partners is run by two bodies working in harmony.
The Partnership Council is a group containing single representatives from each partner association. Its role is to guide the network to ensure it works in the interests of the partner associations and their members.
The Advisory Board is a group of appointed buyers and suppliers with the goal of ensuring the network remain led by buyers and that any activity undertaken by the network is in line with created strategy and objectives .
To speak to NBTA Europe about creating a partnership contact us.
The Partnership Council
The NBTA Europe Partnership Council is a group containing single representatives from each partner association. Its role is to guide the network to ensure it works in the interests of the partner associations and their members.
Participants of the Council include the following association representatives.
Jutta Luoma - Managing Director, Finnish Business Travel Association
Jutta has more than 30 years of experience in business travel and has occupied the post of Managing Director of FBTA since 2003 on a full-time basis.
She started in business travel in sales before taking up positions between 1973-1985 for the Finland Travel Bureau. Between 1985-1987 she was the Travel Manager for Kone Corporation, one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry, before becoming an independent travel management consultant and part-time MD of FBTA in 1988 until 2003.
Alexandra L. Strandenes - Travel Manager, PGS and Chairman of the Norwegian Business Travel Association
With a degree in languages from university of Nijmegen (Netherlands) and OND in Travel & Tourism from Bournemouth College (UK) Alexandra joined Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), a global oil service company with headquarters in Oslo, in 1996, where she has held the function of Travel Manager since 2003. Her responsibilities include strategic program development, supplier management, process strategies, different aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility and various leadership initiatives.
Alongside this, Alexandra is chairman for the Norwegian Business Travel Association (NBTA) where she became a member in 2001 and has held the chair since March 2008. Email: alexandra.l.strandenes@pgs.com
Bente Hundahl - Global Travel Manager, Global Procurement & Quality, FLSmidth
Bente has an extensive background in the business travel trade. She has held various positions with airlines and worked for a TMC for many years. In 1997, Bente joined FLSmidth as Travel Manager for Denmark, becoming Global Travel Manager in 2008. She has been a member of DBTA since 1997 and a board member from 2000-2004. She recently joined the board again in December 2009. Email: hun@flsmidth.com
Herman Huijer - Chairman of NATM, Netherlands
Herman has been a member of NATM since 1980 and was elected Chairman in 2008. His past experience extends to passenger handling and operations at KLM, Sales and Marketing for Passengers and Cargo at Saudi Airlines and 23 years as Travel and Facilities Manager at Ballast Nedam.
He has also operated as a part time instructor at the World Travel School for Fares and Ticketing for a period of 12 years and is a member of the advisory board of Stenden University (former CHN). Email: herman.huijer@online.nl
Joakim Karlen - General Manager
Joakim obtained his degree in business administration from the university of Gothenburg in 1985. Since then he has worked in the travel and tourism industry both in Sweden and abroad. Joakim has been the general manager for SBTA since January 2008. Email: joakim.karlen@sbta.se 
Maria Luisa Palet - President, Iberian Business Travel Association
Maria Luisa Palet has been President of the Iberian Business Travel Association (IBTA) since 2000. She graduated in journalism from the University of Barcelona and a Master in Communication Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has over 30 years experience in the field of Travel Management. Email: mluisa.palet@gmail.com
Paul Tilstone - CEO of ITM UK & Ireland and Managing Director of NBTA Europe
Paul started in business travel over 16 years ago working for Travel Management Companies such as Statesman, Portman and Uniglobe after a start in the travel industry with Thomson Tour Operations.
His last appointment prior to taking up his position at ITM was as Sales and Marketing Director for P&O Travel, where he had responsibility for new business, product development, PR, on-line strategy and general marketing.
He first became involved with ITM as a board director in November 2004 and moved to the Chief Executive role in August 2005, and has since overseen the creation of ITM as it stands today.
In 2010 he was appointed Managing Director of NBTA Europe alongside his existing ITM role and he chairs the European Partnership Council. He obtained an honours degree in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Email: paul.tilstone@itm.org.uk
