Dave Hilfman’s Monday Morning Memo to GBTA Members

As we all continue to manage through the roller coaster of COVID-19, GBTA continues to actively work on your behalf to advocate for the economic support needed to ensure our industry can come back strong from this pandemic. We have an exciting campaign in the works that will reinforce the importance of the business travel industry to the global economy – stay tuned for more details.

 

We have a busy week ahead, with informative education offerings and the opportunity for you to provide your viewpoint on the pace of recovery and the future of GBTA.

 

Collaboratory 2020: Up Next – Mobility & Transportation

 

Last week we had a stellar line-up of webinars for our WINiT Week, including a discussion with WINiT Advisory Board Chair Dorothy Dowling about the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women in the workforce.

 

This week will be just as enlightening as we start by welcoming Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) David Pekoske, who will join me for today’s webinar to provide insight on the agency’s response to the pandemic.

 

The week continues with more informative webinars, including:

 

• Tuesday: Forget Everything You Knew: An Examination of Today’s Global Entry Landscape for Business Travel
• Wednesday: A Buyer Discussion – The Realities of a Future Business Trip
• Thursday: Raise Your Tray Tables as We Prepare to Land, featuring the GBTA Aviation Committee
• Friday: What Does Essential Business Travel Look Like During This Pandemic?

 

Members can view recordings of past webinars on the GBTA Member Hub and register for upcoming Collaboratory offerings free of charge.

 

Mexico and LATAM Hold Town Halls

 

Last week, GBTA Mexico and GBTA LATAM held their first virtual town halls. During GBTA Mexico’s Town Hall, sponsored by Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, participants were provided results on the latest GBTA Coronavirus Poll and two guest speakers – Lic. Carlos Mackinlay, Secretary of Tourism, Mexico City and Santiago Argüero, Social Communications Manager, Mexico City International Airport – discussed the present and future of corporate travel.

 

At the LATAM Town Hall, participants received an update on GBTA’s current offerings and Matias Sket, the Executive Director of AOCA, moderated a panel about the current landscape for events, and what to expect in the future. Distinguished panelists included: Mario Anfuso, Director at Rubra Events; Ezequiel Calvi, Commercial Director with Somos FK; Magdalena de Elias, Project Manager for Congress Rental; and Carlos Solanet, Commercial Director with La Rural.

 

A One-on-One with Jamie Pherous from Corporate Travel Management (CTM):

 

Tony O’Connor, consultant and GBTA director in Australia and New Zealand, recently had the opportunity to put several questions to Jamie Pherous, chief executive officer of CTM. Pherous discussed CTM’s recent acquisition of Travel and Transport and shared his insights on what he thinks business travel will look like in 2021 and 2022. Read the full interview here .

 

Email from Board Directors Will Pinnell and Rita Visser:

 

Last week, Will Pinnell and Rita Visser authored an email to members asking for volunteers from across the industry (Direct, Allied, Indirect, Media, Non-member) to help review, update and change the GBTA Bylaws. If you’re interested in volunteering, email info@gbta.org with the subject line “GBTA Proposed Bylaw Changes” by Oct. 31. They will reach out to each volunteer to talk about the work that needs to be performed, the timeline they are working around and answer any questions.

 

Wishing you a great week ahead.

 

Dave