Makiko Barrett is the Sr. Global Strategic Sourcing Manager at Sandisk Technologies, Inc., a leading innovator in Flash and advanced memory technology based in Silicon Valley. With extensive experience in global travel management, she has led travel programs for major companies, including TikTok/ByteDance, Automation Anywhere, and Yahoo.
Beyond her corporate role, Makiko serves as the GBTA Silicon Valley Chapter Board member, contributing her expertise to the business travel community.
She holds a B.A. in English from Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan. Originally from Japan, she grew up in both Houston, TX, and Yokohama, Japan. In her free time, she volunteers with the Humane Society Silicon Valley, combining her passion for animals with community service.
Monday, June 1, 2026
2:30 PM Panel: AI or Die: The 70% Adoption Imperative Transforming Corporate Travel
The era of AI in travel isn’t coming, it’s already here. And by 2026, companies that haven’t embedded AI into their travel programs will be left behind. From hyper-personalized traveler experiences and predictive booking to real-time policy enforcement and smarter supplier negotiations, AI is rewriting the rules of how programs operate. This electrifying session pulls back the curtain on the most transformative applications of AI and shows you exactly how to harness them to elevate your travel strategy, slash costs, and future-proof your program.
Key Takeaways Include:
- See powerful, real-world examples of how peers are using AI to drive automation, improve engagement, and deliver measurable ROI.
- Benchmark your organization’s AI maturity and discover what leading travel teams are doing differently.
- Leave with a clear roadmap of quick wins, practical tools, and strategic next steps to embed AI across sourcing, booking, compliance, and beyond.
Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Makiko.
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