GBTA Honors Dave Hilfman With Prestigious ICON Award

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) awarded Dave Hilfman, senior vice presdient of worldwide sales at United Airlines, its ICON Award.

Hilfman was recognized for his contributions to furthering the corporate travel industry. Hilfman is responsible for directing the efforts of a team of more than 800 sales professionals.

Hilfman started his airline career in 1981 with Eastern and held sales positions of increasing responsibility until joining Continental Airlines in 1986, serving as regional sales manager in New York and director of the western sales division based in Los Angeles.

“Dave is someone who believes in the power of connections, friendships and partnerships,” said Scott Solombrino, GBTA Allied Leadership Council president, who presented the award. “He is one of those magical people who can make everyone feel loved and important. He too is an icon, one who has been a great ambassador for business travel and has been a strong supporter and partner to GBTA for decades.”

The ICON award has been bestowed to only eight other individuals in the past 49 years. Previous recipients included longtime travel manager and NBTA/GBTA executive Kevin Iwamoto, and American Express executive Ed Gilligan (who passed away in 2015).