GBTA Latin America Conference in Sao Paulo Features Education, Networking and More

In late June, GBTA hosted its third annual successful conference in Sao Paulo, Brasil with more than 300 total attendees bringing together business travel professionals from Brasil with suppliers worldwide. The event took place at the Pullman Hotel, Vila Olympia, Sao Paulo, located within one of the city’s most prominent financial centers.

With the continuing expansion of business travel markets in Latin America, GBTA is implementing a series of conferences throughout the region to continue growing the travel management industry in the region through increased education, networking and sessions highlighting hot topics and best practices.

GBTA Conference 2015 Brasil featured a series of general sessions and multiple education seminars.

Conference highlights included:

• Two education modules, presented by GBTA Board Member Bhart Sarin, from the forthcoming Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management  course, to be offered at a sold out session at GBTA Convention 2015 in Orlando, Florida, July 25 -29. The Advanced Principles course will soon be offered at locations in Latin America as well.
• Well-attended general sessions including The Future of Aviation panel, moderated by Edmar Bull, President of ABRACORP, Brasil’s premier TMC association representing major agencies. Panelists discussingthe future of aviation included Ian Gillespie, Avianca’s International Division Director, and Lucimar Reis, United Airlines’ Country Director for Brasil.

• An engaging discussion led by Pepita Soler, Director Brasil and LATAM for IDEA CONNECTON SYSTEMS on Aligning Your Human Value for Strategic Innovation.
• GBTA Foundation Vice President, Joseph Bates presented the latest in a continuing series of business travel forecats focused on Brasil and its growing yet challenged business travel sector.
• Marina Lopes, a journalist and former consultant for Facebook and editor for Groupon led an important how-to session called Social Media – How to Use It.
• Experts from Phocuswright, Ericson, Staybridge Hotel and Intercity Hotels answered the question, What Do We Want From Hotels in the Future? The panel focused on many aspects of hotel booking processes, delivery value, technology and the importance of connectivity.