From Project-Based Execution to Strategic Transformation

Wow – who would have thought. 20 years ago, we started with a simple idea: companies and Travel Management Companies need partners who don’t just understand their processes, but bring them to life. Today, two decades later, we have successfully implemented hundreds of transformation projects together with our clients – and the journey is far from over.

Getting Started: Project Management for TMCs

It began in 2006 with a framework for projects: 6–18 months, clearly defined, measurably successful. Our teams took on project management responsibilities for the major Travel Management Companies – implementing new clients, rolling out innovative applications, developing new products. Over the years, our responsibilities grew: we built teams that handled process automation, optimized workflows, and significantly increased efficiency.

The Shift: From Suppliers to Client Partners

But over the years, the market changed – and so did we. More and more companies wanted to shape their travel management projects themselves and requested TravelBrain as a strategic partner to support them. The demand shifted from Travel Management Companies to the companies themselves and their Travel Managers. This was a turning point for TravelBrain: we became less service providers, more consultants. Less executors, more architects of change in travel management processes and the tools deployed.

Expanding Themes: From Individual Processes to Holistic Transformation

At the same time, the spectrum of our expertise broadened. Initially, online booking and profile management were the focus. Over time, many more exciting topics were added: travel policies, travel planning, Travel Risk Management, expense management. Later came sustainability and reporting, as well as data consolidation – topics that are now central to responsible travel policies and valid decision-making. Today we work on the bigger picture – the end-to-end design of travel processes. These integrated solutions are now the core of our consulting and the key to sustainable cost savings, better compliance, and measurable impact for our clients.

People Who Made It Possible

Behind every project are people. Over 20 years, numerous talents and personalities have contributed to TravelBrain’s success. Particularly noteworthy are Lenny Hornsby, Erci Aydin, Daniel Grenacher, Michele Aggiato, Robert Neumann and Mike Boyle, Stefan Otter and Alexandre Krasnosselski – they have significantly shaped TravelBrain’s DNA and some still do today. But Michael Zwickl and Christian Elsässer with ExpenseBrain (now travexis), as well as Jens Vongehr and Sebastian von Stein, also wrote decisive chapters in our history during their time. A large network of experts has been the key to success over the past 20 years.

The Next Chapter

What we’ve learned in 20 years: The best travel management and travel technology projects emerge through dialogue with clients. They begin with understanding a company’s specific challenges and don’t end at “go live”; but with real change and newly optimized processes. While we look back on two successful and exciting decades, we’re already looking forward again – to new technologies, especially the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in travel management. AI will fundamentally change booking processes, expense reporting, cost optimization, and risk analyses. We will support our clients in shaping this transformation responsibly, leveraging the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. At the same time, proven topics remain central: Travel Risk Management, sustainability, and the question of how intelligent data consolidation and handling of this data leads to better business decisions.

So what was planned as 18 – 24 months has now become 20 years.

Thank you to our clients, partners, and our team for 20 years of trust, collaboration, and passion for excellent consulting and process optimization in travel management.

*Terms & Conditions for Anniversary Gift

Valid for: All new projects from existing and new clients
Period: New projects agreed by the end of 2026
Discount: 10% on all consulting services in the new project (excl. expense reimbursement and third-party costs)
Free hours: 10 free consulting hours for projects with 50 or more agreed project hours
Combination: Discount and free hours can be combined
Booking: Contact us to activate and agree on the offer
Non-transferable and not convertible into credit