About us
Human-Centered Strategy for Responsible AI, Workforce Transformation & Service-Sector Innovation
New Era Business Consulting helps organizations, destinations, associations, and service-based businesses navigate responsible AI adoption, workforce transformation, governance, smart destination strategy, and future-ready business growth. We combine more than 25 years of global hospitality, tourism, association, and business leadership with research-based expertise in AI governance, workforce ethics, talent strategy, and organizational transformation.
Our work helps leaders move from uncertainty to practical action by aligning technology with people, trust, ethics, governance, performance, and long-term value.
Let’s work together to adapt faster, innovate responsibly, and build the next era of business with purpose.
WHY US
New Era Business Consulting brings together a rare combination of global industry leadership, academic research, AI governance training, workforce ethics expertise, and practical consulting experience.We understand that successful transformation is not only about adopting new tools. It is about preparing people, strengthening governance, building trust, aligning stakeholders, and creating strategies that work in the real world.
Our advisory approach is designed for organizations that need practical guidance on responsible AI adoption, leadership readiness, workforce transformation, smart destination development, and service-sector innovation.
What makes us different:
- 25+ years of international hospitality, tourism, association, and business leadership experience
- Expertise in AI governance, responsible innovation, workforce ethics, and talent transformation
- Research-based understanding of employee perceptions of AI and technology-driven work environments
- Experience across global partnerships, public-private stakeholders, associations, and service-based organizations
- Practical consulting focused on clarity, implementation, stakeholder alignment, and measurable value
Experience AT Glance
New Era Business Consulting brings practical and research-based experience across:
- Hospitality, tourism, and service-sector leadership
- AI governance, workforce ethics, and responsible innovation
- Workforce transformation and talent strategy
- Smart destination and tourism innovation projects
- International partnerships and association leadership
- Research, insights, and market intelligence
Founder & Strategic Collaborators
New Era Business Consulting is led by founder Burcin Turkkan and supported by a network of experienced strategic collaborators with expertise in hospitality, tourism, technology, destination development, international partnerships, and service-sector innovation..
Burcin Turkkan, M.B.A., CHE, CEO
Burcin Turkkan (Zencirli), MBA, CHE, is a doctoral researcher at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management and a hospitality leader with over 25 years of international experience. She is the founder of New Era Business Innovation & Management Consulting, where she advises organizations on the responsible adoption and governance of artificial intelligence in talent management, workforce strategy, and operational innovation, work grounded in formal training in AI governance and a research base in workforce ethics.
In 2022, Burcin served as World President of Skål International, the first woman elected to the Executive Board representing the USA and the youngest woman to hold the office since the organization's founding in 1934. She previously served as President of Skål USA in 2018, and her contributions to global tourism have been recognized with Skål International's Order of Merit and a Certificate of Recognition from Mexico's Ministry of Tourism. She remains active across leading industry bodies, including Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), where she serves on the AI Council; the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE), where she sits on the Bylaws Committee and Human Resources SIG; and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Burcin's research examines employee perceptions of AI, ethical leadership, and the dehumanizing effects of technology-driven work environments. Her case study on AI-driven recruitment earned First Place in the ICHRIE Johnson & Wales case competition, and her doctoral research on workforce resilience in hospitality was recognized with UCF Rosen College's Excellent Doctoral Research Award. She is passionate about bridging academic insight with industry practice to shape a more human-centered future of work in hospitality and beyond.
Annette Cárdenas
International business consultant with over 30 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, leading important projects in Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean.
As a consultant, she is recognized for her expertise in negotiating projects with local and international impact with governmental entities, associations, companies, and entities to boost regional tourism.
She has led the commercial management of the Marriott chain in Panama since 1997, achieving important recognition for her work in developing, transforming, and achieving results for Marriott International.
Relevant Projects and Achievements; Hotel Openings; Association Management; Strategic Alliances; Public Relations; Market Attraction in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, eastern United States, Panama, and Spain; International consulting for hotels in Ecuador, Central America, and the Caribbean for different market segments, trademarks, and concepts, such as the Ritz Carlton, Resorts, Corporativos, for the development of strategies and decision making, sales, booking, marketing, and revenue.
Annette has been recognized as one of the Outstanding Women in the Development of Tourism in Panama, granted by the School of Business Management and Accounting of the University of Panama (2007), and as one of South Florida's Outstanding and Influential Women in Tourism Award (1995).
Stephan Parent – Director, special projects.
Stephan Parent is the director of special projects for Novom Interactive, a hi-tech company specializing in creating and implementing original experiences for events and venues. Thanks to his work with multi-disciplinary teams, he is a tweaker who likes to find innovative solutions with his team of full-stack developers, artistic designers, 3D artists, techs, etc.
His background is atypical, which could explain his original approach to his client's issues. B.A. in arts from Université Laval (Quebec City, 1987), he started his career as a clown(!?), then as an actor and stage director, and in 1992 became the executive director of Productions Episode. This interactive theater company produced more than 6000 shows in Canada, USA, and Europe. He was chosen to be the official interpreter of Samuel de Champlain for the 400th anniversary of Quebec (2008), which allowed him to promote and represent Quebec in events throughout Canada and the USA. In 2010, he became the program director of Canada's most important historical festival, Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France, and was promoted to executive director of the same festival in 2012. In 2016, he co-founded 7e SENS, a company that designs and installs video-mapping and technological installations for events and attractions. The company merged in 2019 with Novom Networks, which then became Novom Interactive.
Stephan Parent is also an occasional columnist on the radio, a speaker, and expert content in event management for a college, and is a published novelist since 2018.