Dave Hilfman’s Monday Memo to GBTA Members – Tuesday Edition

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

 

Today is a historic moment in the United States and a reason for optimism when it comes to our industry. Let’s all hope for a seamless inauguration in Washington D.C., and for this to mark a new beginning in the struggle to overcome the pandemic and the challenges it has created for business travel, the economy and so many families.

 

As GBTA forges ahead with our advocacy efforts in Europe, Canada, Latin America and the incoming Administration you may wonder what’s in store for our industry, in the year ahead. For my take on what you can expect, including our Ready.Safe.Travel campaign for a safe return to business travel, click here for a video preview .

 

Annual Business Travel Index (BTI) Results: Feb. 2 Webinar

 

The results of the latest annual installment of the GBTA BTI™ Outlook will be presented during a complimentary webinar on February 2, The BTI Outlook is an exhaustive study of business travel spending and growth covering 73 countries across 44 industries. Jon Gray, Principal at Rockport Analytics and Chris Ely, Director of Research for GBTA will cover the impact of the pandemic by region and expectations for business travel volumes as we head towards recovery. The webinar, made possible by the combined power of Enterprise & National, will also include a Q&A session. To register, click here.

 

WINiT Award Nominations: Update

 

One priority for all of us at GBTA is the support of women across the business travel community. Our partnership with WINiT gives GBTA the opportunity to recognize some of our industry’s most dynamic, visionary leaders. Last year’s first-ever WINiT Awards and Gala was a huge success. This year’s event – our first-ever virtual gala – promises to be a memorable day as well. But to make that happen, we need your support.

 

Nominations are open until February 5th to honor individuals and companies doing leading-edge work when it comes to gender and the business travel workplace. To make the nominating process easier at a time when budgets are tight and resources continue to be limited, GBTA has decided to waive the $99 fee for each nomination. Nominations will be free.

 

Please take a moment and make your nominations today. Click here to access the nomination forms. I hope you’ll join us for the awards and a memorable event on March 8. I’ll see you there.

 

U.S. COVID Test Requirement Goes into Effect Jan. 26

 

You have likely seen the news. Effective January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country to get a COVID test no more than three days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This applies to all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, traveling into the U.S., including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. For more information, click here.

 

Regional Updates from Canada and Europe

 

Thank you to all our European members who joined our first 2021 European Town Hall last week. The meeting had record-high attendance and focused on Brexit and the impact on business travel, with experts from GBTA’s lobbying firm Grayling outlining the relevant aspects of the deal and conducting a Q&A with GBTA members. If you weren’t able to attend the live session, you can access the full recording here.

 

Meanwhile, in Canada, GBTA continues to evolve and increase its local presence through the addition of five new regional committees to support, restore, improve and unite business travel and meetings in Canada. The five committees will cover accommodation, transportation, risk, technology and meetings. To learn more about these new committees and their leaders, click here.

 

 

Reminder: Upcoming Deadlines

 

As we begin 2021, I hope you’ll consider taking advantage of these new ways to get involved with GBTA:

 

• Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee Membership Application: This new global committee is seeking members who want to be a part of raising awareness and addressing issues of diversity, equality and inclusion in our industry. Click here to complete the membership application.
• Call for Convention Presentations: GBTA is seeking industry professionals with new ideas, solutions, and innovations for current industry issues and challenges to present education sessions at our 2021 Convention. The deadline to submit a proposal is February 26. Click here to submit a proposal.

 

Finally, you can expect to see the results of our 15^th GBTA coronavirus poll this coming week, on Thursday, January 21^st. This poll, our first association-wide survey of the new year, will include several new questions designed to support our advocacy efforts worldwide. These polls have generated thousands of media stories around the world and have become an industry benchmark for members and non-members alike.

 

Have a great week.

 

Dave