2017-Q4 Newsletter 
President's Report
Dear Members,
I want to start off by thanking Debbie Graves for her amazing leadership and service to our association. With Debbie stepping into the Chairman role, I truly believe that with her guidance, I will be able to continue to lead our association through the coming years. I speak for us all when I say thank you for everything, Debbie – we greatly appreciate it!
My sincere thanks to all of our members who volunteered their time with our Chapter throughout 2017. A special recognition for Ann Ammons who has held the position of Sponsorship Chair for more than seven years and will now be passing the torch over to Shirley Randall. Ann’s hard work and dedication through the years is truly felt throughout the whole association. Additionally, another special recognition to Kalynne Defever, who has held the positon of Public Relations Chair for more than a year and will be transitioning her role to Kerri Nelson. With Kalynne’s support, the committee helped grow our chapter’s presence within the social media space. Congratulations to Kerri and Shirley in their new roles – we look forward to seeing what you both will bring to the association over the next year!
In addition, thank you to all our members and guests who joined us for our MBTA/OVBTA Joint Education Day. We had an exceptional turnout with more than 150 members and guests! During Education Day, we held a fundraiser for the GBTA Hurricane Relief Fund to assist victims of both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma and with the help of those who donated, we were able to raise roughly $1,550! Thank you to everyone who donated items and those who placed bids.
December brings us an opportunity to give our support to our 2017 Charity partner MCREST. Our Education and Meeting Planning Committees are working closely together to plan a remarkable event to close out 2017 with our 50th Anniversary Celebration. Please make sure to join us on December 7th as this is an afternoon and evening you do not want to miss!
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the Michigan Business Travel Association, please send me an email at [email protected].
Colin Naimy
President, GBTA-Michigan Chapter
Highlights from Recent Events
December Meeting Recap
Special thanks to our December hosts at the Motor City Casino. What an incredible and unique setting for our annual holiday celebration!
Shout out to Jack Reynaert, Suzanne Garland, Jean Korleski and Meredith Upward for the fun Team Trivia focused on business travel. I think we all learned a lot and had fun remembering how much our industry has changed over the years. Our members are a competitive bunch, too!
And wow, what a great silent auction! So many great donations - thank you to everyone who donated prizes and packages and big thanks to all who bid on the wonderful items. Our partners at MCREST will surely appreciate all that we've been able to contribute over the course of this year.
After a brief presentation from Delta Airlines District Sales Manager, Nick Demarco, guests enjoyed a delicious networking dinner to cap off a fun evening with colleagues old and new.
Welcome New Members
Membership Committee Chair:
Megan Craig
Sheraton Detroit Metro Airport Hotel
We are currently at: 169 members!
- Jessica Bennet – Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront
- Megan LaVine – Conlin Travel
- Renda Meske – Pridgeon & Clay
- Bruce Migdal – Hamilton Miller Hudson & Fayne
- Andrea Pollack – The Auburn Hills Marriott Campus at Pontiac
- Trish Robertson – Allstar Chauffeured Services
- Becky Sultana - G6 Hospitality
Please update your MBTA profile online – specifically your Company Name under the "Business Information" section – so that it will prominently appear on your name badge at our MBTA meetings!
Also, please remember to renew your MBTA Membership when it becomes due! Don’t forget that the GBTA All Access Pass that combines the GBTA and MBTA membership together is now an option. For more information, please check out the "Join Today" membership page at www.michiganbta.org.
Benefits of becoming a GBTA All Access Member include:
• GBTA Daily News Brief • GBTA Business Travel Magazine
• Complimentary Member Only Webinars • GBTA Career Center
• Eligible for Chapter Scholarships • Member rate at all Chapter Network events
• Discount on GBTA Academy classes • Discount on GBTA Certification
• Access to GBTA Hub • GBTA Event Discounts
• GBTA On Demand
Education
Education - Committee Chair - Jack Reynaert - Meritor - [email protected]
The Education Committee promotes education and professional development and provides 20+ hours of travel focused education and 35+ hours of face-to-face networking.
Education Goals / Mission: Provide members with the opportunity to expand their travel industry knowledge, growing travel professionalism through educational and informational programs. We provide members with a path to 20 hours of industry related educational opportunities per year from our local chapter meetings. Additionally, since MBTA is a full chapter of GBTA, when an “All-Access” membership is linked to GBTA, there are countless hours of education with an opportunity leading to Industry Recognized Certification. Members also grow their knowledge by networking with peers on an ongoing basis. Our memberships’ travel industry experience ranges from: new to the industry to more than 40 years in the industry... and we have more than 100 members in our Michigan Chapter.
Technology
Technology - Committee Chair - Chuck Oliver - Sonesta - [email protected]
- Website and logos have been updated to reflect and honor the chapter’s 50th anniversary!
- Sponsors are now highlighted to promote and provide additional value for becoming a sponsor. Thank you to all of our sponsors for 2017.
- New feature to the website: A download section which allows you to download documents for specific committees
Goals / Mission: The Technology Committee is committed to providing the association with resources to better understand technology available to travelers, as well as keeping the MBTA website up to date. We work with the various committees to optimize our Internet real estate by posting relevant documents, sites, blog entries, etc...
We are looking for a new Committee Member to help the Technology Committee grow and assist the association. It’s a great opportunity to get involved within the association. Please email Chuck at [email protected]
Sponsorships
Sponsorship - Committee Chair – Shirley Randall - [email protected]
It’s a new year and the Michigan Business Travel Association (MBTA) invites you to become a sponsor for 2018. We have various levels of sponsorships that include:
- Annual sponsors $250-$5,000 - receive brand recognition on banners that are displayed at all meetings and on website
- Golf & Holiday sponsors – signature hole, breakfast, pre-event receptions or breakout
MBTA is an active chapter, hosting six annual meetings with an estimated 75 members (buyers and suppliers) per event. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase and promote your product and network with a receptive environment. MBTA provides our members with educational value based on current and trending topics as they relate to travel policy, technology and services, legislation, security, benchmarking and costs that affect the business travel industry.
Your sponsorship dollars are used to support the education topics that attract members to attend the meetings and for scholarships that are offered to members. MBTA has grown over the years and we couldn’t do it without the help of our Sponsors. As you are planning your budget, consider the value this organization can offer and send in your application for annual sponsorships along with payment by February 1, 2018 to receive maximum benefits.
Pease check the website for details of the sponsorship levels and if you have any questions, contact Shirley Randall at [email protected], 734-658-3604 or one of our committee members for additional details. We look forward to your participation -- Thank you.
Thanks to all of our 2017 Sponsors!
Don't forget to add a MichiganBTA Sponsorship to your 2018 Budget!
Scholarships
Scholarship - Committee Chair - Jamie Cotter - Travel, Inc. - [email protected]
There are two additional scholarship opportunities for our members. GBTA Convention Registration scholarships will be awarded to 1 Allied member and 1 Direct member. Chapter President’s Council scholarship is also available. Visit www.michiganbta.org and click on scholarships under Quick Links for more information and to apply.
Meetings and Events
Meetings & Events - Committee Chair - Amy Gibson - Adient - [email protected]
The committee is actively looking at new and exciting locations for our 2018 meeting schedule. If you are interested in hosting one of our upcoming events, please contact Amy at [email protected].
Don't Miss Out On These Future Meetings:
- February 15, 2018 (Thursday)
Detroit Marriott Southfield Hotel
27033 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield, MI 48033
- April 19, 2018 (Thursday)
Grand Rapids Area - Location TBD
- June 11, 2018 (Thursday)
Location TBD -- Golf Outing
- August 12-15, 2018 (Sunday - Wednesday)
- San Diego, CA -- GBTA Convention
- September 24-25, 2018 (Monday - Tuesday)
Location TBD -- OVBTA/MBTA Education Day
- October 25, 2018(Thursday)
Location TBD -- October Tech Fair
- December 6th, 2018(Thursday)
Location TBD -- December Holiday Meeting
Charity
Charity - Committee Chair - Kathy Mastin - La-Z-Boy, Incorporated - [email protected]
We hope you enjoyed yourself at the December 7th Holiday Charity Event.
With all of your help, we're proud to announce we raised $8,296 for Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (MCREST)! Added to the $1,650 we raised at through raffle ticket sales at the Golf Outing in June, our grand total raised for MCREST this year is $9,946! What a wonderful difference our contributions will make to the community served by MCREST.
Thank you again for another great year and for your donated silent auction items, raffle ticket prizes, and personal items for the homeless!! We thank you for bidding high and bidding often!!!!
We will be researching and reviewing charities for 2018. Approximagtely five will be sent to the Executive Board for review along with the charity committee's recommendation. Look for an announcement of our selected charity partner at our February meeting.
The Charity Committee
Public Relations
Public Relations – Committee Chair – Kerri Nelson – Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest – [email protected]
We say goodbye to Kalynne Defever and thank her for her leadership of this committee as she transitions to a new role within the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. Best wishes Kalynne and thank you for all you have done for MBTA!
If you’re interested in joining us on the PR committee, please let me know – we’d love to have you!
Some of our duties include: Producing the quarterly MBTA newsletter, promoting our chapter on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other outlets and gathering nominations to recognize our Direct and Allied Members of the Quarter and for the Year.
- Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Like and comment on our posts!
- Please remember to nominate your friends and colleagues for quarterly recognition. It’s a great way to honor those who have been consistently involved in supporting our MBTA chapter as well as those who are newer members who have stepped up and taken on leadership roles. It can also be a great way to get to know each other better.
Member Recognition
MBTA Member Recognition
Join us in congratulating our 4th quarter MBTA Members
Allied Member –Ann Ammons and Direct Member – Jack Reynaert. Thanks to you both for all that you do for MBTA!
Outstanding Allied Member – Ann Ammons, Travel, Inc.
Q: What is your title and role within the travel industry?
A: Global Sales manager
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A: I wanted to do something part time and talked to Wil Brown, our founder and he hired me.
Q: Tell us a little about your company.
A: Travel Incorporated was found 38 year ago and I have been here 37 years. Travel Incorporated is a forward thinking TMC both in service and technology.
Q: How long have you been involved with MBTA?
A: 9 years
Q: What was your favorite moment or experience during your time with MBTA?
A: My favorite experience is getting more sponsors year after year to help MBTA grow.
Q: How has MBTA helped you in your career?
A: MBTA has introduced me to so many wonderful people in the same profession.
Q: What advice do you have for someone new to the group?
A: Be active in the MBTA and learn from that experience.
Q: Where is your favorite place to visit for fun?
A: Harsens Island, Michigan, Pawley Island, South Carolina
Outstanding Direct Member - Jack Reynaert, Meritor, inc.
Q: What is your title and role within the travel industry?
A: Manager Global Travel / Expense / T&E Card / Corp. Jet and Meetings
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A:Followed in my father’s footsteps with my first travel job in the summer of 1977; with the desire to Manage Corporate Travel as my father did for 42 years at Ford Motor.
Q: Tell us a little about your company.
A: Meritor, Inc. is a global supplier of a broad portfolio of axle, brake and suspension solutions to original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket for the transportation and industrial sectors. We serve commercial truck, trailer, bus and coach and off-highway machinery manufacturers, in addition to defense contractors. Operations in 20 countries, 5 continents, 62 locations with over 8000 employees
Q: How long have you been involved with MBTA?
A: 41 years
Q: What was your favorite moment or experience during your time with MBTA?
A: In my prior leadership roles of President, Chairman, Treasurer, Tech Chair and now Education Chair, it truly love working with such a vast array of talent and commitment by the leaders focused on providing our members value at each and every meeting attended.
Q: How has MBTA helped you in your career?
A: The networking and education has provided countless opportunities to incorporate ideas and processes into positions I’ve held over the years.
Q: What advice do you have for someone new to the group?
A: Learn all you can from the MBTA meetings and educational sessions; participate and come prepared to ask questions. Network with your peers and the suppliers, and never stop learning.
Q: Where is your favorite place to visit for fun?
A: Bike Riding the Michigan Rails to Trails
Contact Us
President Chairperson - Past President – 2013-2017
Colin Naimy Debbie Graves, CCTE, CTC, GTP
Meritor Carlson Wagonlit
Phone:248-435-1913 Phone: 248 685-9613
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Vice President Secretary
Jim E. Smith, CTC Leslee Fritz
Enterprise Holdings AHC+Hospitality
Phone 517-647-5855 Phone 616-776-6414
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer – Past President – 2009-2013
Lisa M. Hoehn, GTP, CCTE
ALTOUR
Phone: 248-735-7426
E-mail: [email protected]
Classified Ads
2026-04-20:
We’re hiring a Lead Travel Coordinator! At Haworth, travel is about more than logistics. It’s about experience.
We’re looking for someone who truly puts people first, with a hospitality mindset, strong organizational skills, and a genuine care for the details that make experiences memorable.
This role is perfect for someone who:
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As our Lead Travel Coordinator in Holland, MI, you’ll work closely with online booking tools, group travel, vendor partners, and our corporate jet program. You’ll be a trusted resource for leaders, teams, and travelers across the organization.
If you love organization, service, and making things run smoothly behind the scenes this might be your next role! Or if you know someone who fits this perfectly, we’d love the referral.
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eR8-4Kny
2025-06-16:
About Us: ALLSTAR Chauffeured Services is a premier chauffeur service dedicated to providing luxury, reliability, and exceptional customer experiences. We cater to corporate clients, high-profile individuals, and special event transportation needs. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a motivated and customer-focused professional to join our team!
Job Overview: We are seeking a dynamic Customer Service Representative (CSR) with Outside Sales experience to manage client inquiries, bookings, and service coordination while actively seeking new business opportunities. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a sales-driven mindset, and a passion for delivering top-tier service.
Responsibilities:
Customer Service: Handle inbound calls, emails, and online inquiries, assisting customers with reservations, service details, and pricing.
Provide top-notch customer service by understanding and anticipating client needs.
Resolve customer concerns and ensure satisfaction with our service.
Maintain detailed records of client interactions and bookings.
Outside Sales & Business Development: Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including corporate partnerships, event planners, and travel agencies.
Conduct sales presentations and in-person meetings with potential clients.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective customers.
Meet or exceed monthly sales targets and generate new revenue streams.
Represent the company at networking events, trade shows, and industry functions.
Requirements: Previous customer service and/or sales experience required (hospitality, luxury services, or transportation industry a plus).
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
Comfortable with outbound sales efforts, including cold calling and client meetings.
Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings or weekends as needed.
Regular schedule is based on 9am to 5pm Monday – Friday.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for outside sales activities.
Benefits: Competitive salary + commission/bonus opportunities.
Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
Paid time off and holidays.
Growth opportunities within the company.
Interested? Contact Asiah Viotto (HR) [email protected]
2025-02-17:
https://careers.yazaki.com/job/Canton-Specialist%2C-Travel-Services-MI/1146099355/
rnThis role involves overseeing Yazaki North America's corporate travel program as well as various HR projects and responsibilities. The position requires working onsite in Canton, Michigan four days a week with one remote day.
rnIf interested, please see the above link or contact Tina Brownley at [email protected].
rnThank you,
rnTina Brownley
