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Daily News Brief – March 16, 2021

Check-in with Suzanne

Hi Global Colleagues:

I’m “checking in” today, full of anticipation as I look forward to my first official Member Listening Tour session… kicking off today with session #1 in Europe. Thoughtful Q&A prompted by your write-in questions and a conversation moderated by Mark Cuschieri today will set the tone for the rest of the sessions in our series this month. (Register for next week’s US east coast region session here). I can’t wait to hear from you!

What we discuss today will be added to the growing pile of learnings from eloquent member and sponsor conversations which I’ve already had in my first 3 weeks as CEO… as well as from the ten hours of GBTA-ACTE Project Unite focus group sessions (whose summary of learnings we will be releasing soon):

  • Members and sponsors want GBTA to mind the lessons of our past – but to focus intently on the future by improving our Core… driving change and transparency along the way. If we do this well, it will be evident through a recovering industry, a healthy two-way marketplace, better learning, and smarter networking.
  • Volunteerism is alive and well – with a passion! I’m in awe as individual members give hundreds of collective hours for governance reviews, education programming, committees/standards, innovation exploration, and local/regional chapter programming.
  • Our industry needs a strong(er) collective voice. There continues to be a huge need for organized government/policy advocacy at a national and international level.
  • The association – and industry – are going through a reset. We will come back better, with stronger guardrails to guide us.
  • Convention in Orlando in July is on everyone’s mind as an important step toward that recovery and reset. As we start to measure attendee sentiment to attend in person or virtually, I am hearing of buyers who are vaccinated and eager to see what suppliers, travel management companies, and tech entrepreneurs have been working on – and how to get their travelers safely and successfully back out there. (Please watch for upcoming and regular flash surveys from GBTA so we can use the best available data to plan our event wisely.)

Business travel’s coming back “better” was the topic of my conversation with New York Times’ Farhad Manjoo in his opinion piece that was published late last week.

As I close out this week, I just wanted to make sure you’d seen the news that my home town, New York City, opens for quarantine-free visits beginning on April 1 – which is an amazing milestone after this great city-of-the-world saw some of the worst of the worst a year ago at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. The news has sparked a lot of joy for many I know who want to get back to work here as tourism and business travel returns. And for all of us, it’s a sign that normal is getting closer, for all to enjoy very soon. But we also need to remind ourselves to maintain public health diligence so that these hard-fought returns aren’t eroded by upturns in COVID. Vigilance is key – we need to keep mitigating risk, even as we cannot completely eliminate it.

Read More >>

 

COVID-19 News 

Global Rollout of AstraZeneca Vaccine Unchanged by Suspensions in Europe, WHO Says (THE WASHINGTON POST)

China Approves Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use (GLOBAL TIMES)

Takeda Grants J&J German Production Capacity for COVID-19 Shot (REUTERS)

More Countries Pause Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Against EU Regulator’s Advice (POLITICO)

 

Industry Spotlight
Become a Ready. Safe. Travel. Specialist This May

Register Today! Early Bird Prices Increase March 31

Learn how to transition business travel, meetings, and its practices beyond the pandemic. Complete the virtual training program to become a Ready. Safe. Travel. Specialist.

Learn More and Register Now >>

 

Don’t Miss the Chance to Meet Suzanne Neufang, GBTA CEO
Virtual Listening Tour Continues Next Week!

Suzanne Neufang, GBTA’s new CEO, is starting off in her new role by listening to, and checking in with, you – our members, industry leaders, suppliers and sponsors. During this listening tour, Suzanne will provide an overview of her background, share her future vision for GBTA and take your questions/comments. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance of the meeting.

Register Today to Meet Suzanne at One of these Upcoming Events:

 

United States

US East Region Listening Tour
March 23 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Register Now >>

US Midwest Region Listening Tour
March 24 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Register Now >>

US West Region Listening Tour
March 25 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Register Now >>

 

Latin America

GBTA LATAM Town Hall / Listening Tour and Latest Results from the BTI™ Outlook
March 25 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM MEX
Register Now >>

Canada

Eastern Canada Listening Tour
March 29 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Register Now >>

Western Canada Listening Tour
March 31 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Register Now >>

 

Career Development

Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Don’t Miss an All-New Career Development Program:
Career Builder From GBTA in Partnership With Dr. Lucy Rattrie

Join us for a 21-day powerful mindset program throughout the month of April for professionals from the travel and aviation industry to rebuild their confidence, gain clarity and calmly pave the way for a thriving career in an upside-down world.

Registration Closes April 12.

Learn More >>

 

Job Board
Is Your Company Hiring?

Use the GBTA Career Center to post your business travel job openings and access thousands of qualified industry professionals looking to make their next career move.

Get Started >>

 

Trending Industry News

Aviation Industry News

British Airways Reveals a Third Health Passport App for Passengers (SIMPLE FLYING)

Has the Storm Passed? US Airlines See Bookings Begin to Pick Up (SIMPLE FLYING)

United Airlines CEO Says Will Halt Cash Burn in March (REUTERS)

With New Phoenix-Mexico Flights, Southwest Prepares for Post-Pandemic Travel Demand (AZ CENTRAL)

US Airline Chiefs Express Optimism After Busy Spring Travel Weekend (DIGIT PATROX)

Hospitality Industry News

Private Equity Firms to Acquire Extended Stay America (BUSINESS TRAVEL NEWS)

Marriott Bonvoy’s Portfolio of Collection Brands Propels Its Global Footprint Forward with Nearly 70 Distinctive Hotels Expected to Open in 2021 (MARRIOTT)

More Industry News

WTTC Welcomes “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” from U.S. Congress (TRAVEL DAILY NEWS)

 

WINiT by GBTA Honors Leaders Who Are Driving Positive Change for Women in Business Travel

In honor of International Women’s Day, GBTA held its second WINiT Awards & Gala March 8, 2021, to honor business travel professionals who are blazing new trails and paving the way for women in the business travel industry. Founded in 2014, WINiT by GBTA is a network of women and men focused on driving positive change for the career mobility of women in travel-related

Watch the Video >>

 

Upcoming Events 

National Security Roundtable: The Future of Travel Post COVID-19
March 30 | 2:00 PM EDT
Learn More >>

GBTA Canada Town Hall
April 7 | 2:00 PM EDT
Learn More >>

Career Builder from GBTA in Partnership with Dr. Lucy Rattrie
April 12
Learn More >>

 

WorldAware Intelligence Brief 

Mexico – Health Officials Further Ease COVID-19-related Measures

United Kingdom – Officials to Change Entry Restrictions for Travelers

United States – System to Bring Heavy Snowfall, Ice, and Strong Winds to Parts of Midwest Region

United States – Heavy Rainfall, Strong Winds, Hail, and Possible Flooding Forecast Across Central and Southeastern Regions

United States – Winter Storm-related Disruptions Continuing Across Colorado

 

COVID-19 Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Visa Information

View Additional Resources >>

 

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