Carlson Wagonlit Travel has appointed two leading industry figures to top posts in its EMEA operation.
Floyd Widener, from GetThere, becomes the new vp sales for the region and Todd Kramer joins as vp CWT Events from his own company Kramer Consultants.
Mr Widener, 41, will be responsible for developing global sales in the EMEA region and work closely with the corporate sales teams in countries where CWT operates.
He will be based in Carlson's Paris headquarters and report to Richard Lovell, chief operating office for EMEA and Martin Warner, executive vp global accounts and solutions.
Mr Widener has worked for Amadeus France and joined Sabre in 1998 as director of sales and marketing for France.
His most recent post was vp corporate EMEA which included responsibility for GetThere, Sabre's online corporate travel reservation system.
Mr Kramer has worked in the technology industry for 20 years. Before joining CWT, he was president of Kramer Consultants, advising a number of travel companies on research, strategies and expansion plans.
He has also worked for various companies since arriving in Europe from his native America in 1987, including e-Travel, part of Amadeus, which he joined in 1999 vp international business development and was responsible for both the SAP and Oracle global partnerships.
He will also be based at the Paris HQ and report to Marino Faccini, executive vp of CWT's Mediterranean zone and responsible for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions strategy for EMEA.
AirPlus reports sharp rise in business
AirPlus, the lodge and corporate card company, has reported a sharp rise in transaction volumes for 2005 of 14% to £8bn.
It said the main area of growth was the international market where volumes rose by 37%.
It said pre-tax profits for the year were £7.5m.
Spencer Hanlon,"” with the 2005 results.
He added: “Our sustained international growth reflects the rising demand for customised, innovative and global solutions in business travel management.
"We expect to continue to develop new customer relationships and build our global presence in 2006."
The company recently launched its new A.I.D.A. product which it said offered "virtually universal acceptance of the lodge card."