Travel Tech Celebrates Innovation and Policy Leadership at Third Annual Policy & Innovation Showcase 

Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) hosted its third annual Policy & Innovation Showcase on Capitol Hill. The event served as the backdrop for honoring Congresswoman Young Kim (R‑CA) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D‑WA) with Travel Tech’s Innovation Leadership Award, recognizing their work to advance transparency, competition and innovation across the travel ecosystem.   

The event, sponsored by Chase Travel Group and Booking Holdings, brought together Travel Tech member companies, policymakers, congressional staff, and industry stakeholders to highlight the role of travel technology in creating a more transparent, competitive, and innovative travel experience for consumers.  

“Travel technology plays an important role in how consumers plan, book, and experience travel,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “Our annual Policy & Innovation Showcase provides an opportunity to bring together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of travel and recognize leaders who have advanced policies that promote innovation, transparency, and consumer choice.”  

As Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Larsen has been a strong supporter of policies that recognize the important role airline ticket agents play in supporting both consumers and the airline industry. Travel Tech recognized his support for H.R. 5663, the ACPAC Modernization Act, and his longstanding leadership on transportation policy.  

“As summer rolls towards us, it is a great time to think about the American traveler’s experience,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “I am appreciative of the Travel Technology Association’s work to improve travel and am thankful to receive their Innovation Leadership award.  As Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, my top priority is ensuring Americans can travel safely and efficiently.  I look forward to discussing our Committee’s work later this week.” 

Congresswoman Kim was recognized for her leadership in advancing transparency for travelers. As the lead advocate for the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, she has championed efforts to ensure consumers have greater visibility into the full cost of travel while recognizing the complexity of today’s travel technology marketplace.  

More than 30 attendees joined Travel Tech and its members for an evening reception and discussion celebrating innovation across the travel ecosystem and the policymakers who have championed policies that support travelers and the travel technology industry.  

Travel Tech’s Innovation Leadership Award honors policymakers who have demonstrated leadership in advancing policies that foster innovation, competition, transparency, and consumer choice throughout the travel industry. Previous recipients include Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves, Congresswoman Dina Titus, Energy & Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis, and Senator Amy Klobuchar.