What does the Amex GBT + SAP Concur alliance really mean for the future of business travel? CEO Paul Abbott joins Travel Again to give his most detailed public explanation yet.In Season 4, Episode 2 of Travel Again Presents, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver sit down with Paul Abbott, CEO of American Express Global Business Travel, to break down one of the most important strategic moves in the corporate travel sector: the expanded partnership between Amex GBT and SAP Concur.Paul explains how GBT is shifting from a services-led business to a leading B2B software and services company, why they’ve invested more than $1B in product and technology, and how the Concur alliance creates a unified ecosystem for content, data, distribution, AI-powered service, and traveler experience.Together, they explore: • How Amex GBT transformed its business in 3 years • Why the Concur alliance matters for customers, suppliers, and the market • The next phase of modern retailing and NDC • How AI is reshaping traveler experience, duty of care, and agent productivity • What’s required to compete in today’s software-driven travel ecosystemThis is one of the most comprehensive conversations to date about Amex GBT’s strategy and the road ahead for managed travel.Guest:Paul Abbott, CEO, American Express Global Business TravelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-g-abbott/Hosts:Mike McCormick & Ed Silver — Travel Again Advisory

When JTB Corporation surprised the industry by acquiring Northstar Travel Group—the powerhouse behind Travel Weekly, BTN, and Phocuswright—everyone wanted to know why. In this exclusive interview, former CEO Tom Kemp breaks down what really drove the deal and what it means for the future of travel media, events, and AI.

In the premiere of Season Four of Travel Again Podcast, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver sit down with Tom Kemp, former Chairman and CEO of Northstar Travel Group and current Chairman of PRA Business Events. Tom offers an inside look at the recent Northstar acquisition by JTB Corp., discussing how the deal came together, why the Japanese giant is making a long-term play in global travel media, and what it signals for B2B information and events worldwide.

The conversation explores:

• How Northstar grew from 3 brands to 125 global events and $130M+ revenue.
• Why JTB’s century-long horizon is a game-changer for travel media.
• The future of face-to-face events in an AI-driven world.
• Lessons in leadership, culture, and strategic growth from Tom’s career.

Whether you’re in travel tech, media, or meetings & events, this episode reveals how the industry’s most influential brands are adapting to massive change and why trust and community still matter most.

Guest: Tom Kemp

Hosts: Mike McCormick & Ed Silver, Travel Again Advisory

TRAVEL AGAIN Podcast presents… The Bi-Weekly Travel Roundup, covering the headwinds and tailwinds Impacting the Business of Travel. This week, we interview Henry Harteveldt, President Atmosphere Research Group.