SAP Concur’s latest event, on Tuesday May 13, 2025 offered a comprehensive look at current Travel & Expense (T&E) challenges, upcoming technological innovations, and the human and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Through expert talks, practical demos, and inspiring testimonials, the event immersed participants in the major transformations shaping today’s professional landscape.
Romain Delcroix (Head of SAP Concur France) kicked off the day with a review of 2024—a year shaped by geopolitical events such as Donald Trump’s election, which brought uncertainty and restrictions to business travel. In contrast, the Paris Olympic Games boosted France’s appeal, making it the top destination in Europe for foreign investments.
SAP Concur’s strategic priorities focused on:
Gabriele Indrieri (Chief Revenue Officer EMEA) highlighted synergies between Concur and other SAP solutions, especially through deeper AI integration across HR, finance, and T&E. He gave real-world examples, such as auto-adjusting internal availabilities based on an employee’s travel or using unified data to simplify budget forecasting.
SAP Concur team members outlined the company’s AI strategy, supported by over €1 billion in investment, notably via the smart assistant Joule. Use cases included:
On the compliance front, experts Megan Howe, Suve Banerjee, and Julien Million-Rousseau emphasized a 2025 law that will hold executives directly accountable for non-compliance, even in the absence of fraud. SAP Concur offers a proactive compliance approach, featuring targeted analytics and an expanded role for managers.
The event also featured Tripit, an app designed to enhance travelers’ experiences by providing real-time advice—strike alerts, demonstrations, and local tips based on destination.
Led by Pierre Lefloch (Project Manager at Arago), this hands-on session explored SAP Concur’s Request module. The workshop showcased a complete methodology for smooth project management—from design and deployment to training and risk reduction.
Concrete examples included:
Using a structured approach (RACI matrices, knowledge transfer, project tips), the workshop illustrated how SAP Concur can be tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.
Manon Léger, co-founder of the nonprofit Latitudes, brought valuable insight into the current limitations of AI. Using a striking example—an AI that altered an Asian woman’s photo into a European woman when asked for a “more professional” version—she highlighted the implicit biases still embedded in AI models.
She also introduced an educational card game on AI ethics, designed to raise awareness among both technical and non-technical teams about the risks of misuse. Her call was clear: stay vigilant and promote responsible innovation—values strongly aligned with SAP’s commitments.
Olympic champion, former minister, and entrepreneur Laura Flessel closed the day with an inspiring keynote. Sharing her journey, she delivered a powerful message on resilience, ambition, and self-acceptance.
She emphasized the importance of support networks after a sports career to avoid depression and spoke about learning to accept not always being first—not with jealousy, but by using it as a driving force. Her involvement in nonprofits and her multifaceted role as a woman, mother, and leader gave the audience a truly human and holistic perspective on success and balance.
This SAP Concur event masterfully combined technology, strategy, and human insight. AI, ethics, compliance, and hands-on support were all explored in depth—while leaving room for inspiration and connection. A rich, informative day that proved the future of Travel & Expense lies just as much in algorithms as in the quality of human relationships.