The German Business Travel Association (VDR) has signed a one-year deal to join the NBTA Europe network.
The VDR (Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V.) – which has more than 500 members – is the ninth European corporate travel group to join the self-professed buyer-led organisation. The partnership formally begins in the spring.
As part of the deal, the German organisation will be prevented from working with any other business travel organisation.
NBTA Europe's managing director, Paul Tilstone, said VDR's domestic forum in Stuttgart on March 29 - held in conjunction with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) - would be its last involvement with any other group for the following 12 months.
However, when ABTN asked VDR executive director Hans-Ingo Biehl what the NBTA deal meant for its dealings with ACTE, he said: “We have cooperation with NBTA Europe for one year, and our relationship with ACTE in Germany is not impacted.”
ABTN understands that other European-based buyer groups that previously joined NBTA Europe have been pressured not to engage with ACTE.
Biehl said VDR members would benefit from NBTA Europe’s continental network and information database.
“The deal is only for one year, but it is more that just to test the water,” he said.
“We believe the relationships with other European associations will strengthen our own network and benefit our members. Will see how it goes. If it is a success, as we expect it to be, we will move the relationship on. If it is not, we will pull back.”
Dirk Gerdom, chairman of the VDR, said: “The board has made the decision to join NBTA Europe as we can see the progress it has made in the last 12 months.
“We have a strong ethic of buyer-led decision making at VDR and the goals and aspirations of NBTA Europe are well aligned with our own.
“Our members are increasingly looking for global contacts and information and NBTA Europe will provide that content whilst we contribute German intelligence to the network.”
Caroline Strachan, the chairman of the NBTA Europe advisory board, said the inclusion of the German organisation would strengthen the Association’s proposition.
Biehl will join the NBTA Partnership Council headed by Tilstone.