Marijke Poppink

The Netherlands’ Corporate Travel Association (CORTAS) has appointed Marijke Poppink as interim managing director following the departure of Stephanie Smook after six years in the role.

Poppink, who owns business travel consultancy Poppink TRVL Projects, will assume the interim role from 1 October.

Thanking the CORTAS board, she said: “It is with excitement and enthusiasm [that] I will be taking up this role, being able to share my knowledge with a large group of corporates gives me energy.”

Poppink added that she will work closely with Smook throughout October to “ensure a smooth transition”.

Smook, who joined the association as a member in 2004 and was appointed MD in 2017 has decided to step down. She thanked industry partners and CORTAS board members and described her tenure as MD as “a memorable, unforgettable time”.

CORTAS chairman Manon Luiting said: “We thank Stephanie for all the love, energy, enthusiasm and knowledge she showed and poured into CORTAS… [and] we are proud to have Marijke on board as our new managing director. Marijke is well-known and respected in the business travel industry, with her expertise and knowledge she is the perfect successor to Stephanie.”