Executives to Discuss Differentiating Brands in a Sharing Economy

GBTA Convention Panel Looks at Branding in a Changing Marketplace

Alexandria, VA (May 15, 2015) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – today unveiled another panel in an exciting line-up of speakers for GBTA Convention 2015, July 25-29 in Orlando, Florida.

Differentiating Brands in a Sharing Economy
Monday, July 27, 9 a.m.

Moderator: Guy Langford, Vice Chairman, Deloitte LLP, and U.S. Travel, Hospitality and Leisure practice leader

Panelists:

Kaye Ceille, President, Zipcar
Chip Conley, Head of Global Hospitality & Strategy, Airbnb
Federico Gonzalez Tejera, CEO, NH Hotel Group
Greg Stubblefield, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President – Global Sales & Marketing, Enterprise Holdings

“This panel ties in perfectly with our Convention theme, #Sharing,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. “In a world where the sharing economy is growing rapidly these panelists will discuss strategies around branding and differentiation for companies trying to succeed in this shifting marketplace.”

The Monday morning panel will also feature discussion around how companies at varying degrees of maturity are developing and adopting their strategies to compete in the sharing economy as well as how to position your brand in a manner that is appealing to a generation less focused on the company and driven more by convenience and the experience.

The 2015 Convention theme, #Sharing, aptly describes today’s business travel environment. There is no other industry where face to face meetings and the concept of sharing is more prevalent than the business travel industry. At Convention, the industry will come together as nearly 7,000 industry professionals will share in a transformative experience. Held at the Orange County Convention Center, GBTA Convention 2015 will bring you world-class keynote speakers, more than 80 industry-leading education sessions, the largest business travel expo floor, a wide selection of professional development opportunities and much more providing attendees the opportunity to build their careers and get business done.

Attendee registration is open now. Register by June 1, 2015 to receive $100 in savings. More info on programs and speakers will be unveiled in the coming months. For the latest developments and more information, please visit gbta.org/convention.

Media registration is complimentary and available online. GBTA will also host its first-ever Media Day on Sunday, July 26.

CONTACT: Colleen Lerro Gallagher, +1 703-236-1133, cgallagher@gbta.org
Gayle Kansagor, +1 202-295-8775, gayle.kansagor@harbourgrp.com

About GBTA Convention
The GBTA Convention, with nearly 7,000 attendees, is the largest, most comprehensive annual gathering of business travel and meetings managers, meeting planners, procurement professionals and suppliers anywhere in the world. The Business Travel Event of the Year ® features: more than 80 industry-leading education sessions organized into 20+ specialized tracks geared to specific levels of experience and a variety of disciplines; a 400+ company Exposition showcasing market choices not available at other industry gatherings; sessions featuring world-renowned speakers and industry leaders; a wide selection of professional development opportunities; and, much more. For more information on the GBTA Convention, visit gbta.org/convention.

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, gbta.org