Greg Schulze, the outgoing chief commercial officer of Expedia Group, is leaving the company after 21 years. His last day is at the end of May, and this year’s Explore event in Las Vegas marks his 20th. Schulze joined Expedia in a time when most people were still figuring out whether to trust the internet with their credit cards.
He helped build Expedia into a company that booked more than a trillion dollars in gross bookings over his tenure. However, Schulze doesn’t focus on the scale of his achievements, but rather on the impact he’s had. He’s proud of how he’s changed the company and the industry through his work.
Schulze started his career in a manufacturing job in a factory before moving to a data analytics role in Expedia. He discovered that he could read a room and understand human emotions as well as he could read a spreadsheet. This ability to understand people and relationships has guided his career and helped him in difficult negotiations.
He led air partnerships and spent two decades scaling his instincts across a global business. Schulze believes that the best deal is one where everyone walks away feeling like they’ve won, rather than just negotiating the hardest.
They are leaving Expedia at a moment when the travel industry is experiencing significant change since the rise of mobile. Schulze acknowledges that AI is changing the industry, and customer expectations are shifting. However, he also notes that at the core, people are still traveling and looking to connect with others, seeking conservation efforts.
Schulze’s departure from Expedia marks a new beginning for him. He’s staying connected to the industry through his role on Traveloka’s board and is considering two or three other board seats. He’s also looking forward to his daughter graduating from college, which feels like the next chapter of his life.
Schulze thought for a moment before saying: “Go work in travel, and travel. And be the person at work that you want to be in life.” This advice reflects his own journey and the impact that travel has had on his life and career.
Schulze’s story shows the power of relationships and understanding people in business. His ability to read a room and handle difficult negotiations has been key to his success. As he moves on to the next chapter of his life, he remains open and ready for new opportunities.
His identity was never defined solely by his role at Expedia. Schulze insists that his identity was shaped by his experiences and relationships, but always remained his own. He believes that everyone is replaceable, and the company will continue to thrive after his departure.
What’s important to Schulze are the relationships he’s built and the experiences he’s had. He leaves Expedia with gratitude and a sense of liberation, much like the feeling of being 21 and having the world open to him. As he looks to the future, Schulze is excited to see what’s next and how he can continue to make an impact in the industry he loves, possibly reducing booking anxiety.
At Expedia Group, Schulze’s legacy will be remembered as one of growth and innovation. His impact on the company and the industry will continue to be felt, even as he moves on to new challenges and opportunities.