Association of Swiss Travel Management
The Association of Swiss Travel Management (ASTM) is Switzerland's leading independent professional association dedicated to advancing the fields of Business Travel Management, Mobility Management, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events). ASTM serves as a central hub for corporate travel buyers, procurement leaders, mobility professionals, travel suppliers, technology providers, consultants, and industry experts who share a common goal: raising the standards and strategic importance of travel management within Swiss organizations.
Founded with the vision of transforming corporate travel management from a primarily operational function into a recognized strategic discipline, ASTM has established itself as a respected platform for education, networking, thought leadership, and industry collaboration. The association actively promotes professional development, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of best practices while creating meaningful connections between the various stakeholders that make up the business travel ecosystem.
Vision and Purpose
ASTM's vision is to be the recognized organization that facilitates and promotes education and professional excellence in Corporate Travel Management, Mobility Management, and MICE throughout Switzerland. The association strives to elevate the profession by defining competencies, fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration, and providing a voice for travel professionals in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving business environment.
Mission and Strategic Objectives
ASTM's mission is to professionally develop Business Travel Management in Switzerland and to promote the value and importance of travel and mobility professionals within both the private and public sectors. The association seeks to:
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Advance the profession of business travel and mobility management.
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Establish and promote industry best practices.
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Facilitate knowledge sharing among buyers, suppliers, and experts.
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Support educational and professional development initiatives.
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Create networking opportunities for members and industry stakeholders.
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Serve as a trusted source of expertise and thought leadership for the Swiss market.
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Promote dialogue between corporations, suppliers, educational institutions, and public authorities.
Through conferences, educational events, industry publications, workshops, strategic discussions, and community engagement, ASTM has become a focal point for addressing some of the most important topics affecting modern travel programs, including traveler wellbeing, sustainability, procurement strategy, travel technology, data and reporting, duty of care, risk management, and global mobility.
Industry Impact
ASTM brings together professionals from multinational corporations, SMEs, international organizations, travel management companies, technology providers, airlines, hotels, mobility providers, and consultancy firms. By facilitating open dialogue between buyers and suppliers, the association helps create a more mature, transparent, and collaborative business travel environment in Switzerland.
The organization has developed into a respected forum where industry leaders can discuss emerging trends, exchange experiences, benchmark programs, and collectively shape the future of corporate travel. Its growing reputation reflects the increasing recognition of travel management as a strategic contributor to organizational performance, employee experience, risk management, and sustainability objectives.
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ASTM was initiated through the vision and determination of Sabah Kahoul, who recognized that Switzerland lacked a dedicated professional association focused exclusively on the advancement of Business Travel Management and the broader mobility profession. Sabah saw an opportunity to create an organization that would unite the various stakeholders of the industry, provide educational opportunities, foster professional recognition, and give the Swiss business travel community a stronger collective voice. ASTM's leadership structure identifies Sabah Kahoul as one of the organization's Presidents.
Recognizing the scale of the opportunity and the challenges involved in building such an organization, Sabah invited Dominic Short to become her partner in transforming the concept into a reality. Together, they co-founded ASTM and worked to establish the association as a credible, respected, and sustainable platform for the Swiss travel management community.
As Co-Founder and Co-President, Dominic Short has been instrumental in shaping ASTM's strategic direction, expanding its industry network, developing its educational agenda, attracting members and partners, and helping position the organization as the leading professional body for Business Travel Management in Switzerland. Working alongside Sabah Kahoul, he has contributed to building a thriving community that connects buyers, suppliers, and industry experts while driving collaboration, innovation, and professional excellence throughout the sector. ASTM's leadership team lists both Sabah Kahoul and Dominic Short as Presidents.
Personal Leadership Statement
Dominic Short is the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Association of Swiss Travel Management (ASTM). Following an invitation from ASTM initiator Sabah Kahoul to partner in the creation of the association, he helped transform a shared vision into what has become Switzerland's leading professional community for Business Travel Management, Mobility Management, and MICE. Together, they have built a platform that promotes education, thought leadership, industry collaboration, and professional development, helping to elevate the role of travel management across Switzerland while shaping the future of the industry for buyers, suppliers, and stakeholders alike.
In essence, ASTM is more than an association. It is a movement to professionalize, modernize, and strengthen corporate travel management in Switzerland, and its creation reflects the entrepreneurial vision, industry commitment, and collaborative leadership of Sabah Kahoul and Dominic Short.