GBTA Board of Directors Spotlight

The Career Value of Lifelong Connection and Learning

In this feature series, GBTA’s Board of Directors share their views on topics that matter most to members, the industry, and the way forward for business travel. Today’s guest author is GBTA Board member, Maria Chevalier. 

I am now three-quarters through my two-year term on the GBTA Board of Directors. As I reflect on the experience, along with 25 years in the travel industry, these words come to mind: appreciation, resilience, and community.

For me being part of our industry community has been about helping people on their career journeys, as many of you know. It has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. Together with others across our industry, we have helped thousands of people find their next dream career opportunity. One of the keys to this journey is GBTA.

Networking is one of the most critical aspects, and GBTA is one of the strongest sources for connecting with peers and potential employers. Seventy-five percent of jobs are found in the hidden job market. Your connections can help you find these opportunities and make it to the top of a long list of applicants. They can also provide invaluable insights related to the role, leadership, and company.

GBTA is a great resource for developing knowledge and skills. Showing you are current on industry topics and challenges is important during any interview process, and also important for career advancement. GBTA research, webinars, job postings, local chapters, committee involvement, mentoring programs (Ladders and WINiT), and conferences are just some of the amazing resources for professional development. As a member, you can fully leverage all of these in your career journey. Throughout my career, GBTA has helped me to learn, think differently and find resources to help me to overcome career challenges.

I cannot thank enough the GBTA members. Your support and belief have meant the world to me. I continue to sincerely focus every day on best serving our GBTA members to advance our industry and overcome its challenges – and all with a continued commitment to diversity. I also want to thank my fellow exceptional board members, the amazing chapters, the best staff members and our courageous leader, Suzanne Neufang. Each one of them gives their heart and soul every day to help our industry and members. I am continuously impressed by their level of exceptional talent, commitment, and passion.

My advice to everyone was given to me early in my career and has had the greatest impact. Keep learning something new every day. In addition, lean on your resources. They are one of the greatest gems and gifts in an industry I’m proud to be a part of for so long.

Maria

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Convention 2023
GBTA Commends $1 Billion Grant Release to Boost U.S. Air Travel Improvements

 GBTA applauds the Biden Administration’s release of $1 billion USD in grants to fund critically needed projects that facilitate air travel, increased travel demand, and an enhanced passenger experience.

This funding will be available to 99 airports across the U.S. It will aid in meeting “the growing demand for air travel and invests in key areas to help get travelers in and out of airports more quickly and improve the passenger experience by investing in new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints and improved ground transportation.” Additionally, the funds will help increase terminal sustainability and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.    

“Business travel is on pace for continued recovery, but for the industry and overall economy to truly take off and grow sustainably, we need air travel systems that are optimized to meet modern needs,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA.    

To advance the travel eco-system, GBTA is also calling on the U.S. Congress to rapidly pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) long-term re-authorization to ensure continued implementation of NextGen programs and the upgrading of the air traffic control system.

GBTA WINiT
Celebrating Our Voices on International Women's Day, a Day to #EmbraceEquity.

March 8, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate women’s accomplishments and encourage worldwide engagement and collective action in advancing women's equality.

This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. We’ll share the voices of women in our industry from around the world as we celebrate social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. And we’ll share where we see gaps, with simple ways we can rally together to drive change.

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Canada and United States - Adverse winter weather forecast across parts of the northeastern US and southern Canada through March 1. Hazardous travel conditions likely.

Germany - Unionized public transport workers plan to strike in regions across Germany March 3. Likely travel delays and disruptions.

Greece - Authorities confirm at least 38 deaths after trains collide near Larissa, Greece, late Feb. 28. Emergency response ongoing early March 1.

Peru - Peru maintains states of emergency in some areas as of Feb. 28. Unrest likely to continue through at least mid-March.

More Information