The Finass Business Travel Workshop 2024 has successfully concluded, and as usual, TravelBrain would like to give you a review of this high-profile event. Under the motto “The business trip in transition – challenges and opportunities,” the workshop offered exciting insights and valuable networking opportunities at the SIX Convention Point in Zurich.
For the 17th time, Daniel Wittwer and Marc Brunner, along with the Finass Business Travel team, invited participants to the Finass Business Travel Workshop. This year too, around 80 travel managers from small and large companies and partners followed the invitation.
An exciting mix of topics and a moving conclusion with the acknowledgment of Daniel Wittwer’s work as Head of Business Travel and as a member of the Executive Board provided the framework for a highly thrilling event.
Punctually at 2:00 pm, Daniel Wittwer and Marc Brunner opened the event with a warm welcome and introduced the participants to the agenda. Marc presented the attending colleagues from the Finass team and then handed over to Martin Kreutner for the first presentation.
Martin Kreutner, Senior Project Consultant at Lexxton AG, provided a deep insight into the impacts of the current geopolitical situation on business travel.
Martin Kreutner has had an impressive career in international relations and security. He is a recognized expert in security, governance, compliance, and anti-corruption. Before his consultancy role, Kreutner held various high-level positions.
In his one-hour lecture, Kreutner explained to participants the background of current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and why the situation between China and Taiwan cannot be explained in a few words. Using numerous examples and audio-visual materials, he highlighted that our Western-oriented worldview is by no means the only or ultimate reality.
He emphasized the need for companies to adapt their travel strategies to constantly changing global conditions. Regarding possible impacts of conflicts and anticipated shifts, he pointed out the following, among others:
– Increasingly volatile reciprocal sanction regimes
– Growing transnational jurisdiction
– Potential airspace, border, and route closures
– Restrictions in payment processing
– Limitations in internet and application access
– Increased insurance premiums
– And several others
An exceptionally engaging lecture and an incentive to reconsider certain views.
Manuel Henle and Louis Schober of SWISS International Air Lines presented fascinating insights on the topic of “Sustainability on board.” Participants learned firsthand how the aviation industry is responding to growing demands for environmentally conscious travel.
The two sustainability specialists of Swiss demonstrated what sustainability means within the inflight product along the entire value chain and what is already planned or implemented. For instance, most plastic cups and containers made of plastic and aluminum are being replaced with paper or cardboard products. What still remains is largely recycled.
The catering concept has also undergone a complete overhaul. On many flights today, unsold products at the end of rotations are offered as small surprise packages at a reduced price. Additionally, the option to pre-order snacks and meals up to 12 hours before departure helps in planning and reducing food waste.
On Swiss’s long-haul flights, unused amenity kits in Premium Economy, Business, and First Class are being refurbished and used again.
The two highlighted that Swiss’s sustainability efforts—and those of the entire Lufthansa Group—extend beyond the use of Sustainable Airline Fuel (SAF) and other alternative fuels, spanning the full impact area of the airline.
As in the previous year, I was privileged to host one part of the program for TravelBrain. This time, we focused on the topic “Work from Anywhere – How does it affect individual companies?” As a moderator, I had the honor of inviting experts Carina Hütte from Radicant Bank and Dr. Daniel Dietrich from the technology startup Vamoz AG to join the stage as conversational partners.
After an introduction to the topic of remote work and Daniel Dietrich’s clarification of the various terms used, we discussed several controversial viewpoints and practical solutions for integrating flexible work models into existing business travel concepts.
Claudia Hütte highlighted how the topic is approached at Radicant Bank. She explained that while remote work and home office are standard, many employees occasionally spend individual days in the office.
Daniel Dietrich pointed out the challenges associated with remote work from abroad. Vamoz AG supports in this regard with risk assessments and HR workflow management for legal transparency and compliance.
Together, we also explored the potential downsides of remote work. Loneliness and isolation, and the associated health issues, are possible consequences.
The crowning conclusion to the presentations was the inspiring lecture by Deniz Kayadelen, Transformative Coach & Inspirational Speaker from Männedorf, Zurich. Under the title “Strive for Gold – Limits Exist Only in the Mind,” she motivated attendees to push beyond their limits and explore new paths.
Deniz Kayadelen is a business psychologist, certified coach, speaker, and author of the book “Out of Comfort Zone.” For 20 years, she has been swimming long distances in the sea, crossing the English Channel and the North Channel, and is a three-time world champion in ice swimming.
She captivated the audience with stories of her adventures, preparation for new challenges, and the numerous boundaries she overcame. Accompanied by stunning images and films, she illustrated her journey from a “warm-shower” swimmer to her world record of ice swimming in the Himalayas at 6,405 meters in 3.7-degree cold water.
More information can be found on Deniz Kayadelen’s website and in the following YouTube video.
Before the conclusion of this year’s Finass Business Travel Workshop 2024, Daniel Wittwer’s long-standing achievements as Head of Business Travel and member of the Finass Executive Board were honored by his successor, Marc Brunner, in a heartfelt speech. After a short break, Daniel Wittwer will continue supporting the company as a Senior Consultant in the new year.
Participants acknowledged Wittwer’s outstanding contributions and relentless dedication to the industry with a standing ovation. In his speech, Marc Brunner reflected on the significant contributions Daniel Wittwer has made to the development of the company and the business travel industry as a whole. His vision and commitment have not only shaped the company but also inspired numerous business travelers.
Daniel Wittwer expressed his gratitude for the acknowledgment and thanked Marc and the entire Finass team for the excellent collaboration over the years and his superiors for their trust. At the same time, he wished Marc Brunner a phenomenal start in his new role as Head of Business Travel.
The two then invited all participants to the final networking aperitif.
Between the presentations, participants took the opportunity to visit the Business Travel Expo and make valuable contacts. To conclude, the Lufthansa Group, together with United Airlines and Air Canada, invited attendees to an Apéro Riche, where the day’s insights could be discussed in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Finass Business Travel Workshop 2024 once again demonstrated that it is an indispensable platform for innovation, exchange, and inspiration for Finass Business Travel’s customers and partners. In a time of transition, this event provided an opportunity to engage with the latest trends and challenges and establish valuable connections.
On behalf of TravelBrain, I would like to thank Marc Brunner and Daniel Wittwer for the invitation to participate in the event and, of course, for hosting such a successful event – we are already looking forward to the next Finass Business Travel Workshop next year.
Adrian Matt for TravelBrain
