New York during the holidays is either a winter wonderland or a logistical mess and last week it was both. On Wednesday evening the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting drew thousands of tourists and holiday shoppers to midtown Manhattan with traffic barely moving. However, inside the legendary Plaza Hotel, the atmosphere felt entirely different as it was electric and exciting.  I was there with colleagues to witness something very special…

Our CEO @Tobias Ragge was inducted into the BTN Group’s Business Travel News Hall of Fame.

At the 14th annual event, it was an evening filled with admiration and reflection. Tobias was recognized alongside respected leaders in our industry including Cathy Sharpe of ITW. With his wife in the audience and our colleagues from around the world in the room, Tobias spoke about legacy, leadership and the real meaning of hospitality...not amenities or rate negotiations but how we show up for people.

He shared stories about his father starting HRS Group and how it grew from a family business into a global technology platform driving corporate travel forward. Thorsten Eicke from Siemens introduced Tobias and spoke warmly about the partnership with one of the largest hotel programs in the world. It was a proud moment for all of us.

We had a strong multinational representation from HRS. From Germany we were joined by Alexandra Barth , Tobias Pohl, Dorothea Rosen, Martin Biermann and Lukasz Dabrowski. Our US colleagues included Tobias Bittner, Michael Brophy, Corporate Storyteller, Alexander Olsen, Chaney Waddell and Kari Wendel. We were also excited to welcome Gabriele Indrieri, our new CRO from Milan.

After the ceremony at The Plaza we gathered at the Aman Jazz Club. The music was great and the energy in the room matched our vibe. We celebrated Tobias and the enormous progress HRS has made this year.

While in New York, our leadership group met for our annual review and planning sessions. We celebrated the momentum of Copilot and Connect which continue to attract attention from customers and consultants. We discussed how organizations are eager for new approaches especially around meetings and lodging where they expect greater transparency and improved traveler experience. Our growing pipeline reflects that interest.

We ended one evening traversing the city subways...

We also enjoyed dinner and bringing together a broader group from HRS to the Oyster Bar in Grand Central. Classic New York architecture was the right setting and place for conversation about the future.

This trip also marked the end of my semester at New York University. Tobias joined me as a guest lecturer and spoke with several groups of undergraduate and graduate students about his journey in entrepreneurship and leadership. Below, he spoke with Vanja Bogicevic's graduate students.

Tobias also met with associate dean Nicolas G. from the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and Greeley Koch for a thoughtful conversation about industry trends and future careers in corporate travel, lodging, meetings and hospitality.

Looking back, hospitality was the clear theme of the week. The hospitality we deliver as an industry...the hospitality we bring to our HRS partnerships and team culture. And of course, the hospitality that shapes how we treat people.

As the holidays take over NYC with crowds, lights and excitement, I feel grateful and blessed. We celebrated a remarkable milestone, and strengthened our foundation for the year ahead.  2026 is going to be a great year…and we’re doing what we can to prepare for it now.  We believe the best is yet to come!  If you’ve been wondering more about the HRS Stay, Work & Pay business, reach out and I’d be happy to tell you more!

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