GBTA Returns To In-Person Events As Demand For Face-To-Face Meetings Grows Across Europe

Latest GBTA poll shows non-essential business travel continuing to rise in Europe As business travellers willingness to travel builds

London, UK – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the world’s largest business travel association and worldwide leader in education, research, networking and advocacy for the industry has announced a number of in-person conferences and events as we head into the final quarter of 2021.

The events, held across multiple European locations, are amongst the first face-to-face opportunities for industry colleagues to meet and collaborate in person. Education will continue to be a key component of each event with insightful keynotes from industry leaders and a range of panel discussions covering topical subject matter, each designed to spark interesting debate amongst specialists in their field. Each event will also allow for numerous opportunities to network once again with peers, to rebuild and forge new business relationships.

According to the latest poll of GBTA members and stakeholders, 75% of European respondents expect that business travel will see a significant or moderate increase in the September to November 2021 time frame. This is supported by the latest results highlighting that more than seven in ten GBTA travel buyers felt their employees are ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to travel for business in the current environment.

“Following another disruptive year, I am delighted that we are once again able to host a number of in-person events for GBTA members throughout Europe. Safety and duty of care of course remain a priority and each of our events will have additional safety measures in place to ensure the well-being of delegates. Collaboration is perhaps more important than ever for the business travel industry, the return of in-person events will once again unite our industry to continue the safe return to business travel,“said Catherine Logan, Regional VP EMEA – GBTA, adding “the multiple events across Europe will give delegates the opportunity to address the current industry wide challenges, as well as those specific to the individual regions and markets.”

“We are delighted to be able to return to in-person events and to be partnering with GBTA once again, to host the GBTA Europe Conference in partnership with VDR. Registration is now open, we look forward to welcoming you and giving the business travel community the opportunity to collaborate and network in a safe environment,“said Hans-Ingo Biehl, Executive Director – VDR.

The In-Person Events include:

16 September – GBTA France Masterclass – Hôtel Le Méridien Etoile, Paris

9 November – GBTA Italy Conference – Milan

6-8 December – GBTA Europe conference in partnership with VDR – Berlin

Registration is now open, please go to https://www.gbta.org/membership-and-communities/chapters-and-regions/europe for more information.