🏛️ Strategic Kick-off 2026 at nhow Amsterdam RAI
Leadership, Data and the Future of Corporate Travel Management
On 2 February, NATM gathered at nhow Amsterdam RAI for the first member meeting of 2026 — setting a focused and forward-looking tone for the year ahead.
🎬 Setting the Scene: From Uncertainty to Strategy
The afternoon opened with a shared recognition that economic volatility, geopolitical tension and structural market shifts are no longer temporary disruptions, but part of the operating reality.
This created a clear shift in perspective: from short-term operational fixes towards long-term strategic positioning for corporate travel programmes.
🌍 Market Dynamics & Control
A central theme throughout the session was the rapid transformation of the business travel ecosystem.
Ongoing consolidation and the emergence of new players are pushing organisations towards more defined operating models.
For travel managers and procurement professionals, this raises critical questions around:
- control versus dependency
- data ownership
- long-term resilience of travel programmes
📊 Sustainability, Wellbeing & Data Integration
Sustainability and traveller wellbeing were addressed not as separate topics, but as interconnected pillars within modern travel management.
The discussion emphasised the need for:
- alignment between policy and real behaviour
- data-driven decision-making
- clear communication towards travellers and stakeholders
✈️ The Future of Mobility: Electric Aviation
A key highlight was the session on electric aviation, positioning it as a realistic mid-term development rather than a distant concept.
Electric regional air mobility is expected to:
- enable new point-to-point connections up to ~750 km
- significantly reduce travel time on “thin routes”
- offer competitive cost levels for business travellers from ~200 km onwards
Importantly, the value proposition is not only sustainability, but also convenience, speed and regional accessibility — key drivers for business travel demand.
🧭 The Evolving Role of the Travel Manager
Across all sessions, one conclusion stood out clearly:
the role of the travel manager continues to evolve from operational coordinator to strategic partner and regisseur within the organisation.
This includes:
- aligning travel with broader business objectives
- managing risk, compliance and sustainability
- acting as a connector between stakeholders, data and suppliers
🎤 A Personal Perspective: Beyond the Role
In a light and engaging session, Marc Beers (Sales Director Avis Budget NL) shared reflections on his personal and professional journey — offering insights into leadership, career choices and the human side behind industry roles
A reminder that behind every function sits experience, perspective and personal drive.
✨ Looking Ahead
A strong and strategic start to 2026 — reaffirming NATM as a trusted platform where corporate travel managers and industry professionals connect, reflect and move forward together.
👉 Curious about NATM membership? Drop an email at secretariaat@natm.nl
