Deborah Rothe takes up reins of ITB Berlin
Deborah Rothe is replacing David Ruetz as exhibition director of ITB Berlin, the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show
Mr Ruetz became senior vice president of Travel + Logistics at Messe Berlin in December 2022. He will oversee the ILA Berlin Airshow as well as the global ITB brand family, along with its strategic development.
Deborah Rothe, 31, is taking over as exhibition director and project manager of ITB Berlin with immediate effect. The exclusive B2B event, taking place in Berlin from 7 to 9 March 2023 will bring together the global tourism and travel industry.
Ms Rothe replaces David Ruetz, 54, who had been heading up the world’s leading travel trade show since in 2002. Commenting on the new appointment, Mr Ruetz, senior vice president, Messe Berlin said: “With Deborah Rothe, I am delighted to be appointing an experienced colleague for this important task at ITB Berlin. With her long years of experience at ITB Berlin, not only does she know the event extremely well, she also has in-depth industry knowledge.”
Ms Rothe has been employed at Messe Berlin since 2011 and joined ITB Berlin in 2014. From August 2019, as head of Business Development & Sales, her focus was on developing ITB Berlin and marketing exhibitor and visitor business for the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. She was also instrumental in driving the B2B networking event series TRVLX by ITB in European markets, which in future will continue to be an established part of the ITB portfolio.
The new head of ITB Berlin said: “As exhibitor director of the World’s Largest Tourism Trade Show, I look forward to the tasks and challenges ahead. Together with our global ITB brand family and ITB Berlin we provide an impetus for many areas of the travel and tourism industry. That is why new concepts, innovation and ongoing development are essential. I look forward to driving this effort with the team.”
During his time at the helm, Mr Ruetz was instrumental in building the global brand that is ITB and also contributed significantly to establishing ITB Asia in Singapore and ITB China in Shanghai. He also identified the potential of the Indian travel market and supported developing ITB India which, after two virtual editions, this year will for the first time be taking place as an in-person event in Mumbai and will further strengthen ITB’s position as a global marketplace for the travel industry.
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