The travel industry is transforming—new markets are emerging; traveler expectations are shifting, and technology is redefining how we plan and experience journeys.

In this episode, we sit down with Katrin Koenig, Chief Commercial Officer at Delta Vacations, a Delta Air Lines company, to explore how her team is leading the way toward a more connected, tech-driven future.

Katrin is responsible for delivering an omni-channel approach to revenue management, connecting Travel Advisors and consumer-direct channels to create seamless experiences.

With a career that began at Lufthansa German Airlines in consumer market research, Katrin brings a unique perspective on strategy, analytics, and global growth.

But this conversation goes beyond traditional travel trends. We’ll discuss how AI is shaping a near- utopian vision of travel, where personalization, predictive insights, and frictionless planning redefine what it means to explore the world.

We’ll dive into:

✅ How Delta Vacations is tapping into emerging markets and adapting to new travel trends

✅ Why omni-channel strategies are critical for today’s travelers

✅ Leadership insights from Katrin’s international career journey

✅ Her personal travel style as a Europe enthusiast, Germany native, and bucket list explorer

If you want to understand where the travel industry is headed—and how AI-driven innovation is creating a traveler’s utopia—this episode is packed with insights, you won’t want to miss.

Sign up for our new Westbound Podcast Newsletter here: https://share.hsforms.com/17KfE38axSU6lgZmZiVzY4w8nkmq Stay tuned for more podcast episodes here: https://westbound-podcast.castos.com/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@westboundpodcast

If you are enjoying the podcast, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

New episodes will drop monthly on the most popular podcast channels as well as a full video recording on YouTube.

Show Notes:

- Delta Vacations - Website: https://www.delta.com/us/en/delta-vacations/about-us

- Delta Vacations- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/delta-vacations

- Katrin Koenig – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrin-koenig/

In this episode of Westbound, we’re joined by Dietmar Exler, Chief Operating Officer of AMB Sports & Entertainment, for an inspiring conversation that bridges the worlds of automotive innovation and live entertainment.

Dietmar walks us through his impressive career trajectory—from his early days at DaimlerChrysler, to leading Mercedes-Benz North America as CEO, and ultimately making a bold transition into the sports and entertainment industry. Now working alongside Arthur Blank, he helps steer the vision behind one of the most forward-thinking venues in the world.

We go behind the scenes of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, and host to some of the biggest concerts on the planet. Dietmar shares exclusive insights into stadium operations, sustainability efforts, and preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup.

Whether you're passionate about business, leadership, sports, or live events, this episode offers a rare look at how one man’s journey connects global brands, unforgettable fan experiences, and the future of entertainment.

#Podcast #Westbound #Westboundpodcast #internationalrecruitment #executivesearch #professionalrecruitment #OERTZENGroup #ABMSportsEntertainment #DietmarExler

Sign up for our new Westbound Podcast Newsletter here: https://share.hsforms.com/17KfE38axSU6lgZmZiVzY4w8nkmq

Stay tuned for more podcast episodes here: https://westbound-podcast.castos.com/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@westboundpodcast

If you are enjoying the podcast, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

New episodes will drop monthly on the most popular podcast channels as well as a full video recording on YouTube.

Show Notes:

• AMB Sports & Entertainment - Website: https://blankfamilyofbusinesses.com/
• AMB Sports & Entertainment - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amb-sports-entertainment/
• Dietmar Exler – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dietmar-exler-4a8ab910/

OUT NOW - We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring you the 6

In this episode, Matthias Oertzen is joined by Michael Ansorge of OCULUS Surgical, Inc., a global leader in ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment. With a strong commitment to advancing eye care technology, OCULUS is at the forefront of vitreoretinal surgery innovations, helping medical professionals around the world improve patient outcomes.

Michael gives us a behind-the-scenes look at OCULUS Surgical’s new state-of-the-art facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and shares how the company is thriving by keeping production in-house—a bold move that allows them to stay agile, responsive, and deeply connected to their customers.

We explore how OCULUS empowers its sales teams as the eyes, ears, and mouth of the organization—gathering insights directly from the field and channeling them to engineers to drive meaningful innovation. At OCULUS, listening to clients isn’t just a value—it’s a strategy.

And of course, Michael brings a candid perspective on the cultural nuances of doing business in the U.S. as a German company— “Germans always think they know the U.S.”—offering both humor and wisdom on navigating international markets.

This episode is packed with insights on leadership, innovation, and the power of staying close to your customers. Don’t miss it!

#Podcast #Westbound #Westboundpodcast #internationalrecruitment #executivesearch #professionalrecruitment #OERTZENGroup #OCULUSSURGICAL #MichaelAnsorge #vitreoretinalsurgery #ophthalmic

Sign up for our new Westbound Podcast Newsletter here: https://share.hsforms.com/17KfE38axSU6lgZmZiVzY4w8nkmq

Stay tuned for more podcast episodes here: https://westbound-podcast.castos.com/

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@westboundpodcast

If you are enjoying the podcast, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

New episodes will drop monthly on the most popular podcast channels as well as a full video recording on YouTube.

Show Notes:

• Oculus Surgical Inc. - Website: http://www.oculussurgical.com
• Oculus Surgical Inc. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oculus-surgical-inc-/about/
• OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OculusGermany
• Michael Ansorge – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelansorge/