The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) acquired WINiT for Women, a career development network aimed at increasing visibility, mobility and development for women in the travel, meetings, events and exhibition industries. The acquisition will increase services for both organizations.
“Bringing these two organizations together was a natural evolution, one that will deliver a variety of benefits to both GBTA and WINiT members,” said Christle Johnson, GBTA President.
“As a longtime WINiT supporter, I believe in its mission and the need within the industry for programs and services that support women’s career development and advancement,” she added.
The acquisition announcement was made on August 13, 2018, at GBTA Convention 2018 held in San Diego. GBTA and WINiT leadership made the joint announcement in front of 7,000 attendees.
WINiT Founder and President Michelle Lee launched the nonprofit organization in 2014 in response to a lack of female representation at senior executive levels and at speaking engagements within the travel and hospitality industry, a sector with an employee base that is more than 65 percent female.
“I founded WINiT to drive long-term change for women across our industries,” Lee said. “As WINiT entered its fifth year, it became clear that merging with GBTA would advance our mission.”
Since 2014, WINiT has grown to include more than 3,000 members in more than 40 countries.
Under GBTA, WINiT’s programming, including WINiT events and educational offerings, will continue operations staffed by long-time WINiT team members Dawn Repoli, Laura Richey and Sue Wyslick.
More announcements will arrive in fall 2018 on the future of WINiT at GBTA along with plans for upcoming programming and the formation of a senior level advisory board for the organization.
