WE HAVE TO RESPECT TRAVELLERS' PRIVACY AND RIGHTS

In Conversation With… Samantha Simms, global data privacy officer, Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Sam Simms joins Business Travel Summit Amsterdam next month to talk about EU GDPR: what travel buyers need to know 

Tell us about your session in one sentence?  My session will help you understand the journey of personal information through the complex travel web.

What is the single most important piece of advice/information buyers will take away from your talk?  
There is support and guidance with your TMC in this new process. The industry cares and wants to work with you during this change.  

What’s the biggest challenge facing buyers now and why?   
Defining the roles and responsibilities of who is responsible for the data of your traveller/ employee.

What’s the biggest opportunity they should be taking advantage of and why?  
Come to my session - hear the facts about this topic from a person who lives and breathes it. Speak to the experts, share views with your peers. It’s time to take action in this area.

Why is it important to have a summit dedicated to buyers in the Nordics and Benelux?

There are key changes happening in the EU, public sector procurement, oil and gas, engineering companies – there are nuances in each market, so it’s vital we talk with customers directly here.

What does being traveller-centric mean to you? How does it benefit buyers? 
To me, it means the traveller is the owner of their personal information. We have to respect the travellers’ privacy and rights – this is really important to me.

NDC - good or bad? 
It’s really important; the flow of data will be impacted, when the matrix changes or evolves and we have to be part of the conversation.

Why are you looking forward to BT Summit Amsterdam?

Being able to speak to people face to face and really understand the issues affecting teams in the Nordics and the Benelux, as well as meeting buyers from Europe and talking to different clients.

Register for a free place at Business Travel Summit Amsterdam now at http://amsterdam.businesstravel-summit.com/ - the event runs from 26-27 September 2017.