The 2025 Call for Proposals is closed.

Check back in September 2025 for more information on the Call for Proposals for the GBTA 2026 Convention!

GBTA is seeking industry professionals to contribute new ideas, solutions, and innovations for current issues and challenges that confront the travel industry.

GBTA Commitment to Professional Development
We are committed to incorporating diverse perspectives with each session and across the entire Convention. We empower you to submit content topics that will be timely and most useful to travel professionals as the business travel industry’s landscape continues to evolve and restore. All of the information you include in your submission will be used for the peer-review process which evaluates all submissions to determine the sessions to be delivered for Convention.

If you have questions regarding the Call for Proposals (CFP) or Peer-Review process, please email pd@gbta.org.

FAQs

The proposal selection process is highly rigorous and to make your proposal stand out from the rest, it’s crucial that you focus on delivering engaging content, presenting new and fresh ideas or solutions, and adhering to a clear structure.

—Focus on key takeaways: Clearly define what attendees will learn or gain from your session. Make it obvious how the content will benefit professionals in the business travel industry. Use concise language that directly addresses the needs or challenges of your target audience, such as cost-saving strategies, travel management best practices, or new technologies.

—Highlight uniqueness: What sets your session apart from others? Emphasize innovative ideas, unique perspectives, or new industry trends that will captivate the audience’s interest. Whether you’re sharing fresh data, case studies, or interactive formats, make it clear how your session will stand out.

—Provide a clear session format: Outline the structure of your session, such as panel discussions, interactive workshops, or case studies. Specify how the session will engage attendees, whether through Q&A, group exercises, or practical applications.

—Keep it concise and organized: Avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Review submission guidelines carefully and ensure you adhere to word counts and format requirements.

Learning Objectives are a key part of the proposal that the Peer Review Council focuses heavily on when selecting the final proposals to be included in the Convention program. For tips on how to craft excellent Learning Objectives, please refer to this resource: Writing Learning Objectives (created by AAMC)

Be sure to also check out the tips included in the Proposal Submission Worksheet!

Note: You may only select ONE topic area per proposal.

  • Accommodations (includes transient, long-term housing and home sharing)
  • Career and Professional Development (includes leadership, sales, health and wellness)
  • Data Analytics & Distribution
  • Human Resources & Stakeholder Management (includes communication, policy, DEI initiatives)
  • Meetings & Events
  • Payment Solutions
  • Procurement & Sourcing (includes cost control)
  • Risk Management/Duty of Care
  • Small-Mid Market Enterprises (SME)
  • Sustainability
  • Technology/Innovation (includes AI and machine learning)
  • Transportation & Mobility (includes air, ground and rail transportation)

No, speakers participate on a voluntary basis and do not receive compensation. Speakers must register for the Convention, and they are responsible for their own T&E.
Speakers are offered a discounted Full Convention registration rate.

The GBTA Convention draws business travel professionals from around the world, working in all different sectors of the industry, ranging from industry buyers and suppliers to finance, procurement, and HR Professionals. Presentations should apply to executives, owners, directors, mid-level managers, and first-time Convention attendees. Although we draw some professionals relatively new to the business travel industry, keep in mind that the balance of the Convention audience is comprised of experienced professionals committed to life-long learning. They seek high-level educational opportunities, and we are committed to providing them.

The acceptance rate varies from year to year.

History:

  • 2024: Received 366 proposals and accepted 16%
  • 2023: Received 375 proposals and accepted 18%.
  • 2022: Received 330 proposals and accepted 26%.
  • All proposals are submitted into a double-blinded review process that is completed by a group of volunteers, made up of your industry peers (business travel experts and representatives of the GBTA membership), who are a part of a Peer Review Council (PRC).
  • The proposals are then twice scored by the PRC, followed by an in-person meeting to discuss all the proposals at length and make the final selections for the education program.
  • Members of the PRC do not have the ability to score their own presentation submissions. GBTA Staff does not review or score proposal submissions.
  • Content Relevance to Business Travel and the Current Environment
  • Compelling Title and Session Description
  • Learning Outcomes and Takeaways for the Audience
  • Uniqueness of Proposed Content
  • Overall Quality of Proposal

Yes, we welcome proposals from buyer and supplier or allied businesses. However, proposals that sound like advertisements of a product or service will not be accepted. If you are a supplier of products or services, be sure your proposal focuses on a relevant topic, concept, or idea – not one of your products or services.

All submitters will receive email notification of the PRC’s decision regarding their proposal by the end March 2025.
Session Development will run from April-July 2025.

GBTA Convention 2025 will be in Denver, CO on July 21-23.