Deborah Rothe Takes Over as Head of ITB Berlin

David Ruetz, long-standing show director, passes the torch to Deborah Rothe for this year’s ITB in Berlin. Photo source: ITB Berlin.

ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show, recently announced Deborah Rothe as its new Exhibition Director and Project Manager.

Rothe will be replacing David Ruetz, who has become senior vice president of Travel + Logistics at Messe Berlin. She has been with Messe Berlin since 2011 and a part of ITB Berlin since 2014.

As head of Business Development & Sales, Rothe played a key role in developing and marketing ITB Berlin and the TRVLX by ITB series of B2B networking events in European markets.

“As exhibitor director of the world’s largest tourism trade show, I look forward to the tasks and challenges ahead,” said Rothe on her appointment, adding that she was looking forward to working with her team on new innovative ideas and concepts.

ITB Berlin 2019. Photo source: ITB Berlin.

During a “passing the torch” ceremony former head of ITB Berlin Ruetz praised Rothe’s experience and deep understanding of ITB and the tourism industry adding that she can “drive the growth and development of ITB Berlin and the ITB brand.”

Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been providing an important platform for the travel and tourism industry and an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services.

ITB Berlin 2023 will be held between March 7-9 as a B2B event and is expected to attract a large number of exhibitors and visitors from around the world.

The ITB Berlin Convention, which is the world’s largest travel industry event of its kind, will also take place parallel to the show. In 2022, the convention took place as a virtual event and registered 60,700 attendees from 125 countries.

During the same year, ITB Berlin also planned a series of B2B networking events in European markets, under the title “TRVLX by ITB” with the kick-off event taking place last May in Georgia.

Before the pandemic at ITB Berlin 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to some 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.