Jens Thraenhart - Testimonials
“It has been a pleasure working with Jens over the years because he has a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of our industry. While at Fairmont, Jens successfully led their online marketing efforts at a time when most hotel chains were still stuck in their old/offline ways. Now at CTC Jens is taking the lead with CVB marketing initiatives the same way he did within the hotel industry. Jens has always been a tremendous resource for me and he has been extremely generous with his knowledge whether in personal conversations or via the multiple conferences he attends and organizes.”
J. R. Johnson, Founder & former CEO, VirtualTourist.com, Los Angeles, USA
“I have the pleasure of working with Jens on the Canadian e-Tourism Council which he both established and is the current Chair. The Canada e-connect Conference that he recently organized was a great success which can be directly attributed to his excellent planning and organizational skills. Jens is a visionary whose passion is infectious and whose leadership unites people toward a common goal.”
Sean Sutherland, VP E-Commerce, Flight Centre, Toronto, Canada
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jens at different times over the years in various capacities–including serving on the board of directors of HSMAI together. He is a highly professional executive, with a knack for quickly assessing issues and opportunities, and developing concrete plans for addressing them.”
Rob Torres, Managing Director, Travel, Google
“Jens is an innovator and leader in travel and tourism, particularly in the development of non-traditional and interactive initiatives. In his work for the Canadian Tourism Commission one can see the substantial benefits of his strategic thinking and executions applied to customer relationship management. At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Jens significantly improved their online business with big ideas, innovative, customer-centered strategies, and a first class Web site. Jens is a smart, hard-working, and reliable business partner.”
Joe Hartnett, Principal, Hartnett & Associates, Los Angeles, USA
“In the face of the political and budgetary challenges associated with destination marketing Jens has proven his ability to drive change within the CTC and raise the profile of destination marketing within the trade. Jens is an organizational talent with a deep understanding of the issues affecting the travel industry.” January 7, 2008
Jason Houle, Vice President Travel, Lixto Software GmbH, Vienna Austria
“I had the opportunity to work with Jens at the Canada-e-connect Conference, which he developed, and most recently on the “Tips from the T-List” book and Blogger workshop series. I am continually amazed at Jens’ ability to connect with other travel professionals. His experiences both regionally and internationally have given him a global perspective and a depth of knowledge in the travel industry that is unmatched.”
Stephen A. Joyce, President, Sentias Software Corp., Vancouver, Canada
“Jens is at the forefront of the Tourism Technology Industry. His vision and leadership have paved the way for numerous innovations.”
Phil Caines, Tourism Solutions Executive, Sentias Software Corp., Vancouver, Canada
“Jens has provided ongoing advice, assistance and support to Tourism Yukon during the development and implementation of our interactive strategy. Jens consistently provides timely, strategic advice that has enhanced the relevance and performance of our interactive solutions. In addition, Jens has taken the time and made extraordinary efforts to travel to the Yukon, speak to our industry and share best practise experience with us. Most importantly, he is sensitive to the needs and limitations of small and medium sized enterprizes with modest budgets. Jens is client-focussed and always demonstrates a high level of integrity and professionalism.”
Denny Kobayashi, Mgr. Marketing Operations, Tourism Yukon, Canada
“Jens is a leader in developing tourism eMarketing Strategies. He brings people together through collaboration with great passion. He has started and leads the Canada eTourism Council and organized two great conferences. He is well connected and his opinions respected around the world.”
William Bakker, eBusiness Director, Tourism British Columbia, Canada
“Since Jens joined the Canadian Tourism Commission, new technologies and e-marketing tools have becoming key in order to achieve CTC’s core strategies. With Jens’ leadership I can say that we are walking on the right path to put the company as a real CRM marketing organization.”
Jorge Morfín Stoopen, Managing Director Mexico, Canadian Tourism Commission
“Jens is a visionary with excellent organizational and leadership skills. I’ve had the pleasure of attending two of the conferences that he not only managed, but envisioned, developed and organized. He is also the “inventor” of the Canada eConnect Tourism Awards, a National Awards program for the “best of” in marketing and creativity. Jens is a great communicator and is extremely approachable. I’d love to work with Jens some day.”
Carol Alderdice, Manager, Web Market Development, Dept. of Tourism and Parks, New Brunswick, Canada
“Jens Thraenhart is an inspirational individual. As a colleague he continually challenged me and the organisation to push the limits and ensure we are always ahead of the trends/bell curve. His knowledge, expertise and most of all respect for the “importance of relationships” is to be admired and modeled. I would definitely work for or work with such an inspiring young visionary again in the near future.”
Gisele Danis, Executive Director Global Brand, Canadian Tourism Commission
“Jens is a dedicated professional who knows the travel business–and the internet space–as well as anyone I’ve come across. I’ve continually been impressed by his passion for new ideas and for achieving successful results. Aside from that, he’s also a great guy.”
Mark Updegrove, Director, National Sales, Sympatico /MSN, Toronto, Canada
“Jens is an undisputable leader in e-marketing concepts and vision for the travel industry. In concert with this, Jens is also an exceptional planner and organizer. These skills, along with a very effective communications style, combine to make Jens one of the most effective strategic and tactical executers I have met.”
Brian Hewlitt, former EVP, itravel2000, Toronto, Canada
“Jens is a delicious combination of right and left brained and a perfect tonic for leading the Canadian travel industry well into the 21st century. A powerful rallying force, Jens is able to energize and foster innovations within the Canadian Tourism Commission through his own personal passion, organizational acumen, openness to new approaches, social networking appetite and strategic savvy. I’m glad to consider Jens a business colleague and new friend.”
Sean Moffitt, President, President, Agent Wildfire Inc. & Canadian Word of Mouth Association, Toronto, Canada
“Jens is the single most talented tourism executive I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He is that most unusual species of executive: focused, organized and mindful of the bottom line, yet a creative, resourceful, and big-picture oriented individual capable of working well with others. It’s common of find a few of these traits with most executives, but very rare to find all of them in any one person. He then rounds these traits out by being one of the best connected people I know in the industry - he seems to know everyone! I’ve stated publicly that Jens is the”rock star of the Canadian tourism industry” and I stand by those words.”
Ian McAnerin, CEO, McAnerin International Inc., Calgary, Canada
“Jens has brought a fresh, innovative approach and raised awareness of the web as the key tool for modern, effective destination marketing to the Canadian Tourism Commission. The web initiatives he has introduced seem to have resonated with partners in the Canadian tourism industry, an important element in successfully marketing a diverse destination such as Canada in a competitive global marketplace.”
Joe Buhler, Senior Destination Marketing Analyst, PhoCusWright, Inc., New York, USA
“I have known Jens over a number of years from his work with Fairmont and with the CTC. Jens is a smart focused individual who has always impressed me with his ability to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. He has great depth of knowledge in Travel Distribution - particularly online.”
Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, Managing Partner, T2Impact Ltd, Seattle, USA
“Jens is a very forward thinking person and embraces new innovative ways to market the clients he works for.”
Bob Connolly, Owner, pdfPictures, Toronto, Canada
“Jens is extremely intelligent and bright. He understands the industry and understands what needs to get done for a successful campaign and how forming a partnership with his vendors benefits all involved.”
Michael Lombardi, VP, National Sales, WeatherBug, New York, USA
“Jens helped destinations understand the power of Internet content. He was a highly-rated speaker at our annual convention.”
Doug Price, SVP, Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)
“Jens is a thoroughbred Internet marketer, who understands the online marketing business to a “T.” He has put Canadian Tourism on the map with his enterprising approach to Internet Marketing… a true asset!”
Michael Stellwag, former Manager of Direct Sales & Marketing, Singapore Airlines
“Jens is a thought leader in the highly competitive tourism industry. He is continually introducing new ideas and refining established methods to promote tourism around the world. He speaks at international events sharing “actionable” insights worth his audience. Jens is also well connected and knows professionals from a wide variety of industries. He is a pleasure to be around and I always look forward to meeting up with him whenever we get the opportunity.”
David Temple, Regional Head of Search, OgilvyOne Worldwide / Neo@Ogilvy, Singapore
“Jens is a thought leader in the online space. His dedication and determination inspired our team. I look forward to working with him on future projects.”
Michael Innocentin, Director Internet Marketing, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Toronto, Canada
“I have had the opportunity to work with Jens on a number of committees and he is clearly a thought leader in the travel industry. I value his opinion in the Internet marketing space and welcome the opportunity to work with him again in the future.”
Michael Menis, Vice President, Global Marketing Services, InterContinental Hotels Group, Atlanta, USA
“I worked with Jens on development of concepts and ideas as they pertained to Internet Marketing solutions. Jens is a very progressive and forward thinker and shows tremendous patients with an acute sense to hear what the customer is looking for.”
Edward Nesta, former Chief Information Officer, Leading Hotels of the World, New York, USA
“Jens has a passion for anything related to the internet, particularly related to tourism or the hospitality industries. Jens is always the first one to explore new technologies or internet marketing techniques. He is also extremely proactive in selflessly sharing his knowledge and ideas with everyone that he knows in the industry. It has been a pleasure serving with Jens on the HSMAI Internet Marketing Advisory Board, which he chaired.”
Ashwin Kamlani, former Global VP of Distribution, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Mallorca, Spain
“As an industry consultant, I observed Jens experimenting with innovative new technologies and at the forefront of these new techniques.”
Cindy Estis Green, Founder and CEO, Driving Revenue, Washington DC, USA
“Jens is an innovative and visionary manager with a passion for his work. He was instrumental in developing and implementing Fairmont’s public facing website from a Marketing perspective. This website has received many awards over the years.”
Vineet Gupta, Vice President Technology, Fairmont Hotels, Toronto, Canada
“I have always found Jens to be on the cutting edge of Internet marketing and have appreciated the fact that he gives back to the industry through education and association involvement. I have relied on him on several occasions to provide me with valuable insights.”
Trevor Stuart-Hill, former VP, Revenue Services, Destination Hotels & Resorts, Denver, USA
“I’ve known Jens for many years (since his days in the Cornell Hotel School’s Masters program) and have the highest regard for his integrity, his work ethic, and his abilities.”
Philippus Miller III, Director of Alumni Affairs, Cornell Univ. School of Hotel Admin., Ithaca, USA
“Jens is a great business partner. He was a client of mine and always focused on building mutual goals for the partnership. Jens has a great business mind, is innovative and knows how to execute against a plan.”
Jeffrey Pruitt, President, iCrossing, Scotsdale, USA
“Jens has tremendous knowledge and insight into the travel business as well as deep relationships with individuals across the industry. Jens’ enthusiasm and commitment to the business is infectious. He is a trusted source of understanding of everything important going on in the industry.”
Jasper Malcolmson, GM, Shopping/Travel, Yahoo, Palo Alto, USA
“Jens combines significant domain expertise with creative passion to make a difference in an organization. I recommend him with enthusiasm!”
Philip Wolf, CEO, PhoCusWright Inc., New York, USA
“I’ve long been impressed with Jens. He is an engaged leader who works tirelessly for the benefit of the entire Travel industry.”
Jeff DeKorte, Vice President/GM Travel, America Online, Inc., Arlington, USA
“I have served with Jens as part of the HSMAI Internet Marketing Committee and on the HSMAI Americas board. He has always been a thought provoking leader.”
Pam Streeter, former VP, Electronic Distribution/Marketing, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Washington DC, USA
“Jens is a great resource of knowledge about the Internet and more specifically eBusiness within the Hospitality sector. I was responsible for Fairmont as a customer of my organization and was very familiar with the initiative and dedication to the customer and their experience that Jens and the Fairmont Organization had. He has always been a caring and kind soul, always interested in promoting collaboration and the constructive focus on customer issues and their resolution. Jen’s is constantly striving for the best solution for the problem or challenge that he is faced with. Jen’s always remains positive even if adversity occurs, but as he is so focused on the objective, there is rarely if ever a missed step or failing. Jens is truly someone I would want on my team or within my project or business. Jens is also a friend.”
David Chestler, former VP Sales - Global, Pegasus Solutions, Dallas, USA
“In interviewing Jens for my publication, I learned a lot about the difference between having a Web site and having a Web site strategy. Jens’ work at Fairmont was admired by his peers, and it got results.”
Michele McDonald, Editor, Travel Technology Update, New York, USA
“Jens is a very capable executive with extensive knowledge of the hotel industry’s online environment.”
Jeff Weinstein, Editor In Chief, Reed Elsevier/Hotels Magazine, Chicago, USA
“Jens is forward-looking, strategic, disciplined and creative. Jens has always understood how eCommerce, marketing, customer service and customer loyalty intersect. While at Fairmont, Jens and his colleagues created one of the most comprehensive hospitality eCommerce sites within the luxury sector, at a time when some of Fairmont’s key competitors were still struggling to determine the Web’s role in their distribution and marketing strategies. Jens is extremely professional, highly responsive and is a person who keeps his word.”
Henry Harteveldt, Principal Analyst, Forrester Research, San Francisco, USA
“Jens is a creative and detail oriented manager with a great work ethic. He is a creative, hard working and responsible person.” December 27, 2007
Brice Bay, President and CEO, 10Best, Inc, North Carolina, USA
“Jens is incredibly bright, enthusiastic, personable and a leader in his field.”
Ken Gruber, Director of Marketing, Delta Hotels, Toronto, Canada
“I have known Jens since the early 2000 timeframe and have participated with him on industry panels and advisory boards. Jens is recognized as a leader not only in hospitality and destination marketing but is a trailblazer in the online world as well. He is well respected for his leadership in this field in Canada and the US alike.”
Chicke Fitzgerald, CEO, Solutionz Group
“Jens is one of the hospitality industry’s true pioneers in Internet marketing and distribution strategies. He was instrumental in positioning Fairmont as the eCommerce leader in the industry.”
Max Starkov, Chief eBusiness Strategist, Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, New York, USA
“I have always enjoyed working with Jens… sharing each other’s passion around online distribution since the ‘early days’, and our global interest in the lodging industry as such. I worked with Jens developing successful partnerships with HSMAI and around various industry events.”
Henri Roelings, Founder & CEO, Hsyndicate.com, Amsterdam, Holland
“As a manager Jens was inspiring to work for. He created an atmosphere of innovation and provided the opportunity for his team to achieve great results.”
Sheena Scott, former CRM Manager & Internet Marketing Supervisor, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Toronto, Canada
“I first met Jens when he was speaking at a conference. I was extremely impressed with both the breadth and depth of his knowledge of technology, the internet and the travel industry. In the ensuing years I have come to admire his ability to spot upcoming trends, integrate disparate information, simply complex concepts and suggest efficient ways to increase the experience for consumer and the profit for the organization. I regularly read his blog (which is to the point and well written). He also happens to be a great guy!” April 15, 2007
Samantha Chapnick (samiam@itoors.com), Owner, Studio Heliotrope, New York, USA
“He’s a thought leader in his industry when it comes to overall interactive strategy and search marketing.”
Jason Lehmbeck, VP Search, Yahoo!, San Francisco, USA