Business Travel Association: Administration, Congressional Leaders Must Continue Stimulus Package Negotiations Or Jobs, Economy Will Suffer Greatly

Alexandria, Virginia (October 6, 2020) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, expressed deep concern today over the breakdown of COVID-19 supplemental funding discussions between the White House and Congress.   The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on the business travel industry. In the initial round of CARES Act…

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Risk Management in a Pandemic

As part of week 6 of the Collaboratory 2020 webinar series, GBTA Interim-Executive Director Dave Hilfman hosted risk management expert Miriam Jones from International SOS. In her role as Senior Vice President & General Manager, Western U.S., for International SOS, Jones advises organizations on developing and managing best-in-class duty of care programs that mitigate health…

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First Virtual Town Hall Held for GBTA Europe

GBTA Europe held its first Town Hall this week to share regional knowledge and insights with the GBTA membership. The event was hosted by Catherine Logan, Regional Vice President – EMEA, GBTA. Dave Hilfman, interim Executive Director, GBTA opened the event with an update on the association, the activities and plans for the future. Mark…

Second Wave Brings Uncertainty to Business Travel Recovery

Alexandria, VA (September 24, 2020) – The majority of Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) companies expect their employees to return to in-person events in 2021. Almost half (45%) expect attendance to resume in the first half of the year, according to the latest poll conducted between September 15-19, 2020, by GBTA, with an additional 25%…

Dave Hilfman’s Monday Morning Memo to GBTA Members (9/21/20)

Last week passed the two month mark since I joined GBTA as interim Executive Director. I’ve been on a “listening tour” of our global membership the past sixty days and am grateful for your advice, constructive feedback, candid insights, keen observations and encouragement! Thank you as well for your support and patience as we work…

Virtual Payments are the Future of Travel

This week’s webinar, “Buyer Discussion: Virtual Payments for the Future of Travel,” featured executives from three different companies sharing their experience with integrating virtual payment systems at their companies: Ryan Pierce, a senior travel manager with Salesforce; Sally Ferrell, a senior manager of Meetings, Events and Global Travel with McDermott International; and Clive Cornelius, the…

Travel Industry Must Consider Offering Contactless Payment

As part of the Collaboratory 2020 webinar series, GBTA Interim Executive Director Dave Hilfman hosted Jim McGowan, Marqeta’s Head of eCommerce, on Monday to discuss the growth of contactless payment systems and how the travel industry can benefit from this modern technology. Marqeta is a leader in contactless payments, having developed the world’s first open…

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Travel Industry: Appropriate Testing Protocols A Must or U.S. Economy Will Lose $155 Billion Due to International Travel Collapse

Alexandria, Virginia (September 10, 2020) In a letter released today, 18 travel and aviation industry groups called on the Administration to take coordinated and deliberate action to safely reopen international travel markets.   The letter, addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II, Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, and Department…

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GBTA Collaboratory Explores How to Drive Procurement Changes During a Pandemic

As part of this week’s GBTA Collaboratory 2020 webinar series, Robert Schott, Managing Director and Chief Procurement Officer for PwC, and GBTA Interim-Executive Director Dave Hilfman discussed navigating procurement changes during a pandemic, and how to use this period to improve processes and strengthen partnerships. “This crisis is an opportunity to drive tremendous change, and…

Domestic Business Travel Continues to Trend Toward Recovery

Alexandria, VA (August 13, 2020) – GBTA member companies worldwide, report an emerging willingness to permit employees to engage in domestic business travel, according to the latest poll conducted between August 5-9, 2020, by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Respondents to the poll; the 10th bi-weekly survey conducted among GBTA’s members since the onset…