Alexandria, VA (August 2, 2011) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – and The Wall Street Journal have announced winners of the annual 2011 Business Traveler Innovation Awards. Business travelers nominated services, products and ideas that help to make life on the road more productive. Submissions were categorized and the public voted for their favorites. The winner of the People’s Choice Award, presented to the innovation that received the highest number of votes, will be honored at the 2011 GBTA Convention in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, August 23, 2011.

“The votes are in and the road warriors have chosen their favorite innovations. These winners showcase the tools that help travelers on the road and make their trips easier and more productive. We’re excited to honor these products and are inspired by the innovative new ways technology continues to enhance trips and travel management,” said GBTA president Craig Banikowski, CCTE, C.P.M., CMM.

Judges’ Selection Award—To Be Determined at Live Competition on Monday, August 22, 2011 from 9:00am- 11:15am in Room 301
Thirteen of the top submissions will be featured at the Business Traveler Innovation competition at the GBTA Convention. A panel of travel judges will evaluate the innovations to determine the 2011 Judges’ Choice Innovation of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 during the General Session.

People’s Choice Award
The 2011 GBTA Business Traveler Innovation People’s Choice Award will be presented to Hertz for their innovation, NeverLost Gen5. This product provides concierge-assisted routing services and pushes customized “trips on demand” directly into the navigation device in travelers’ rental cars.

Category 1: Sustainable Practice
Criteria: Outstanding and original environmental efforts in the travel industry
Winner: Hertz
Innovation: Hertz On Demand
Hertz On Demand is a car-sharing service offering hybrid, electric and traditional vehicles for short-term use (hourly, daily, one-way rentals globally) all of which are SmartWay certified. This is a pay-as-you-go car membership club. It’s the luxury of having a car without the hassle of owning one. Customers only pay for the car when they use it.

Category 2: Traveler Comfort
Criteria: Products/services that focus on travelers’ ease and well being
Winner: ExpertFlyer
Innovation: Seat Alerts
ExpertFlyer Seat Alerts notifies you when there is a desirable free seat on your flight, such as an aisle or window seat, when travelers are stuck in a middle seat.

Category 3: Travel Personalization
Criteria: Innovation and excellence in customizing the business travel experience for the individual
Winner: Hertz
Innovation: NeverLost Gen5

Category 4: Outstanding Apps
Criteria: Applications that help business travelers organize and/or make best use of their time on the road
Winner: GateGuru
Innovation: In-airport tool/guide
GateGuru is the first mobile application to refine your airport experience. The app offers information to guide any trip. It provides instant access to your itinerary, security wait times, airport maps, and a structured database of airport amenities, including ratings, reviews and tips from fellow travelers.

Category 5: Travel Convenience & Efficiency
Criteria: Services that expedite the travel process
Winner: Intelity
Innovation: ICE Touch on iPads
The Intelity ICE Touch provides a virtual concierge stationed on iPads in hotel rooms. Guests quickly navigate services such as housekeeping, transportation, room service, spa and flight info without ever picking up the phone.

Category 6: Travel Management
Winner: Sabre Hospitality Solutions
Innovation: Sabre Hotel RFP
The Sabre Hotel RFP is an automated service that brings corporations and agencies together with hotels. It is a GDS neutral, simple to use, affordable and extremely effective global hotels sourcing and rate negotiation tool.

Category 7: Traveler Productivity
Winner: Lufthansa
Innovation: Flynet Transatlantic “Boundless” Broadband
The FlyNet Transatlantic “Boundless” broadband is the first of its kind, offering broadband access with no downtime over oceans.