Alexandria, V.A., February 12, 2025 — The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is pleased to announce the launch of ASTA Corporate, a groundbreaking initiative designed to better serve the unique needs of corporate travel agencies and travel management companies (TMCs) in its network. This milestone marks a significant evolution in ASTA's commitment to the corporate travel community, going beyond advisory input to deliver a suite of dedicated resources and opportunities that will empower corporate agencies and TMCs to thrive in a rapidly evolving competitive landscape.
What Sets ASTA Corporate Apart
ASTA Corporate builds on the foundation of ASTA’s longstanding Corporate Advisory Council (CAC), which will continue to serve as a vital conduit for feedback and collaboration with corporate travel-focused agencies. While the CAC will continue to play a key role in guiding the association’s activities and providing strategic input, ASTA Corporate takes it to the next level by offering dedicated staff, research activities, and exclusive events – a first in ASTA’s history. Leveraging ASTA’s importance in the travel agency ecosystem makes its expanded corporate focus key.
To lead this transformative endeavor, ASTA has named seasoned executive Mark Meader as inaugural Executive Vice President of ASTA Corporate. Mark brings a wealth of experience, including his role on ARC’s JAB-ARA advisory board and his leadership as a board and executive committee member of the World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA).
“Mark’s vision and expertise will ensure that ASTA Corporate delivers exceptional value to its members,” said Zane Kerby, ASTA President and CEO. “Over the coming months he will have the full resources of ASTA at his disposal and will be assembling a specialized team to drive forward the goals of ASTA Corporate.”
Key Partnerships and Initiatives:
ASTA Corporate is already making waves with three pivotal partnerships designed to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing corporate travel agencies and TMCs today:
— Research Collaboration with Top Firms: ASTA Corporate is spearheading research projects to explore the true value of managed travel programs. This data-driven initiative will provide corporate agencies with actionable insights to reinforce their indispensable role in optimizing travel spend and driving efficiency.
— Strategic Partnership with temoji: temoji consulting, founded by renowned industry expert Paul Tilstone, will serve as a key advisor on corporate agency issues, focusing on critical topics to the TMC community, such as Artificial Intelligence, air distribution, the blended travel opportunity, NextGen needs, sustainability challenges, and mid- and back-office technology platforms. Their expertise will help corporate agency members of ASTA Corporate stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge.
— Inaugural Event in Washington, D.C.: The first exclusive event under ASTA Corporate will take place on October 9, 2025, at the iconic Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, DC. Sponsored by the CAC, this event offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with high-level government and administration officials to address critical concerns affecting the corporate travel sector.
Why ASTA Corporate Matters
“The corporate travel environment is facing unprecedented challenges,” said Meader, “from the rapid adoption of emerging technologies to shifting client expectations and evolving industry dynamics.” ASTA Corporate is designed to provide the tools, expertise, and advocacy that corporate travel agencies need to succeed in this dynamic landscape. With dedicated resources and a focus on fostering innovation, ASTA Corporate will be a powerful ally in driving the growth and success of corporate travel agencies worldwide.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Corporate Travel
“ASTA Corporate is more than just an initiative,” said Kerby. “It is a movement to redefine the role of corporate travel agencies in this ever-changing travel industry and to amplify their voice on a global scale.”
“We invite corporate travel professionals to join us in this exciting new chapter,” said Meader “and to be part of a community dedicated to continuous excellence, innovation, and impact.”
For more information, or to participate in our upcoming initiatives, visit http://www.astacorporate.org/
