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Tuesday’s Theme of Convention: Technology’s Impact on Travel

Tuesday morning, Dorothy Dowling, Senior Vice President, Best Western Marketing and Sales, led a fascinating panel on the Future of the Travel Distribution Landscape at GBTA Convention 2015. She was joined by Douglas Anderson, CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel; Scott V. Alvis, Chief Marketing Officer of Amadeus North America; and David Pavelko, Director of Travel…

GBTA Calls for New Dialogue on Expanded Business Traveler Bill of Rights
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GBTA Calls for New Dialogue on Expanded Business Traveler Bill of Rights

Every year at GBTA Convention, I have the privilege of giving attendees an update on the advocacy issues affecting our great industry. Below you will find the speech I plan to deliver this afternoon. As you may have seen, the sharing economy hit the campaign trail. Just a few weeks ago, some of the most…

Improving Amtrak

Improving Amtrak

“We want Amtrak to work. We want Amtrak to be profitable,” Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) told attendees at GBTA Legislative Symposium 2015. During the event, Denham discussed his commitment to Amtrak and the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives. Denham also detailed a few of his priorities, including…

GBTA to Take Business Travel Messages to Capitol Hill
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GBTA to Take Business Travel Messages to Capitol Hill

Next week GBTA will host nearly 100 members at its annual Legislative Summit. The event will kick off with speeches from members of Congress and industry leaders along with education sessions. On the final day, GBTA members will head to Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives to talk about issues important to the business…

Rep. Diaz Balart says No to PFCs at GBTA Legislative Symposium

Rep. Diaz Balart says No to PFCs at GBTA Legislative Symposium

Rep. Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) today earned a round of applause from attendees at GBTA Legislative Symposium 2015 after stating that the appropriations bill that just came out of his Transportation Subcommittee did not include an increase to the passenger facility charge (PFC). Although he noted that there is a long road ahead, Diaz Balart…

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Week in Review

Business travel is back, but the perks are not according to a USA Today article. GBTA’s Mike McCormick was interviewed for the article saying the growth in business travel comes back to that overall feeling of corporate confidence and seeing a return from putting business travelers on the road. He added that travelers are packing…

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Week in Review

The looming threat of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown dominated the news this week – so much so that GBTA created an entire blog post devoted to a round-up of coverage on just this. Check out the latest news here. Also this week, The Hill reported that Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx…

Car Excise Taxes Bad for Business Travelers, Economy

Car Excise Taxes Bad for Business Travelers, Economy

Business travel is hard—and expensive—enough. States and local governments shouldn’t make it even harder and more expensive by adding unnecessary taxes on car rentals. But that is exactly what many such governments are doing, and business travelers from companies of all sizes are paying the price, along with automakers, consumers and insurers. It’s time for…

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Last Week in Review

The Last Week in Review keeps you up-to-date on the latest business travel news. Last week’s GBTA poll on how North American businesses are reacting to the Ebola situation continues to make news with coverage in Roll Call. GBTA Executive Director Mike McCormick once again spoke with the New York Times about the importance of…

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Week In Review

The Week In Review post is back this week to keep you up-to-date on the latest news stories on business travel. A special business travel insert appeared last Friday in the Toronto Star. GBTA’s Director of Operations for Canada shared her thoughts on the latest trends in business travel as well as business travel’s role…