The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) announced at its annual Convention in San Diego that it has acquired WINiT for Women, a career development network for women in the travel, meetings, events and exhibition industries.
GBTA says the acquisition will strengthen its commitment to supporting women in the industry, with members now able to benefit from WINiT’s programmes and services and vice versa. The combined networks will encompass approximately 12,000 industry professionals.
Under GBTA, WINiT’s programming, including events and educational offerings, will continue operations staffed by existing WINiT team members Dawn Repoli, Laura Richey and Sue Wyslick. Further announcements on the future of WINiT will be made this autumn.
Christle Johnson, president of GBTA, said: “Bringing these two organisations together was a natural evolution, one that will deliver a variety of benefits to both GBTA and WINiT members. As a long-time WINiT supporter, I believe in its mission and the need within the industry for programmes and services that support women’s career development and advancement.”
Michelle “Mick” Lee, founder and president of WINiT, who launched the non-profit organisation in 2014, added: “I founded WINiT to drive long-term change for women across our industries. As WINiT entered its fifth year, it became clear that merging with GBTA would advance our mission. Their global footprint, industry reach and shared vision were obvious points of synergy – ones we believe will facilitate the next stage of growth.”
Michael W McCormick, executive director and COO of GBTA, commented: “Merging WINiT into GBTA allows us to take WINiT’s mission worldwide. We look forward to bringing WINiT content to GBTA events across the globe and finding unique ways to engage WINiT members focus on meetings and exhibitions.”
gbta.org; winitforwomen.org