|
Check In with Suzanne
The Future of Business Travel Includes Not Flying Solo
In our latest GBTA poll released last week, the industry’s voice was clear – when asked about top issues you anticipate for business travel in 2024, pandemic concerns landed at the bottom of the list, cited by only 1%. So where − and how − do we go forward from here to create the next great era for global business travel?
No matter how you look at it, the path to continuing transformation as an industry and professional community is one best traveled together − and new times will call for collaboration in new ways.
In a recent BTN press article, I outlined that radical collaboration would be a driver and enabler for creating what’s next and best for the global business travel industry in 2024. Our industry came together around the pandemic, and we are stronger for doing so. That same strength and spirit that was key for navigating during a crisis will also be critical for creating what must be a sustainable, robust future for our industry.
Radical collaboration must involve the spectrum of our industry: travel buyers, suppliers, travel management and tech companies, policymakers, other key stakeholders and − our ultimate end user − business travelers themselves. For me, some areas that are ripe for radical collaboration for business travel are accelerating progress in climate action, advancing industry processes and insights amid technology disruption, bringing new professionals into the industry, and improving the business traveler experience.
At GBTA, we are laying the groundwork for 2024 by collaborating with you across our global community, education and advocacy pillars as we partner with a common purpose and commitment. And it’s by working together that we can truly have an impact.
These principles can be seen in action at our recent annual Chapter Leadership Summit held in Richmond, Virginia, an annual event which brings together nearly 200 leaders of our 37 U.S. GBTA chapters. Additionally, our upcoming GBTA Supplier Summit in Atlanta this Thursday, February 8th, by design, is about the same size and brings supplier marketing thought leaders together to help plan their strategies for our biggest annual event, our GBTA Convention. Big events are truly global and regional “engines” for success, but smaller-scale, super-engaged GBTA gatherings like these go a long way in sparking ideas, enhancing learning and creating new opportunities for collaboration in smaller, more intimate settings.
By the way, it’s not too early to start planning for our “big event”: registration for the GBTA Convention, July 22-24, in Atlanta, Georgia, is now open. Sign up now to attend to get the best attendee rate!
Suzanne
|
