The Global Equity Program

Introduction

Welcoming New and Diverse Voices Into the Global Business Travel Community

Through the generosity of sponsors who share GBTA’s commitment to supporting worldwide diversity, equity and inclusion, the Global Equity Program (GEP) will open doors for business travel industry professionals in emerging markets by sponsoring their annual membership fees.

By offering membership as a gateway to career elevation, GEP recipients who want to learn, innovate and thrive in the industry now can, through the resources GBTA has to offer. From mentoring to education, community to advocacy, the GEP will help level the distribution of resources across the global economy. It will allow global business travel professionals who lack the means to finance their professional development a way to expand their skill set and marketability through GBTA-exclusive benefits such as mentoring, education, community and advocacy.

“I can’t imagine that every company and organization wouldn’t want to be a part of supporting the GEP so they could take the work they’re doing in this space and leverage GBTA. I would encourage everyone to think of it less as a sponsorship and more of doing what’s right and being part of the industry by bringing people along and having a global voice of doing better.”

Tammy Routh

President of the GBTA Allied Leadership Council and SVP of Global Sales, Marriott

“I think it’s been very heartwarming to be a part of this because we feel like we’re doing good in the industry through GBTA”

Tammy Routh

President of the GBTA Allied Leadership Council and SVP of Global Sales, Marriott

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Global Equity Program?

The GBTA Global Equity Program provides a complementary 1-year membership to qualified travel professionals who reside in countries identified by the OECD as low to upper-middle income.
At GBTA, we’re committed to achieving two vital goals: expanding our global presence and fostering a diverse, multi-generational membership. That’s why we’re excited to launch a new initiative called the Global Equity Program (GEP), which is designed to make this vision a reality for travel industry professionals in emerging markets.
Through the generosity of sponsors who share GBTA’s commitment to supporting worldwide diversity, equity and inclusion, the Global Equity Program (GEP) will open doors for business travel industry professionals in emerging markets by subsidizing their annual membership fees.

Who is eligible for the Global Equity Program?

Individuals working in the business travel industry who reside in a country identified by the OECD as low to upper-middle income (see Appendix tab) are eligible for the program.
In addition, the applicant attests that their employer will not pay for GBTA membership

What is a cohort and how many cohorts are there per year?

A cohort is a group of GBTA members accepted via the GEP program during a given application period.
Our goal is to have 4 cohorts per year — or approximately 1 per quarter.
Each cohort requires a sponsor.

How are application decisions made?

The decision making is designed to be as equitable as possible.
Quite simply, if an applicant meets the basic criteria, they are eligible.
Applicants are accepted in the order in which applications are received until a cohort is full.
Once a cohort is full, eligible applicants are placed on a waiting list until a new cohort opens.

How many GEP members do you hope to have by the end of the year? In three years?

Our goal is to admit as many members through the Global Equity Program as possible!
Space is extremely limited and determined by the number of sponsors at any given time

Apply

About

At GBTA, we’re committed to achieving two vital goals: expanding our global presence and fostering a diverse, multi-generational membership. That’s why we’re excited to pilot a new initiative called the Global Equity Program (GEP), which is designed to make this vision a reality for travel industry professionals in emerging markets. Through the generosity of sponsors who share GBTA’s commitment to supporting worldwide diversity, equity and inclusion, the Global Equity Program (GEP) will open doors for business travel industry professionals in emerging markets by subsidizing their annual membership fees.

The Global Equity Program is now full. Please join our waitlist and we will notify you when additional slots become available. Thank you for your interest in the Global Equity Program.

Join Waitlist

Applicant FAQ

Who is eligible for the Global Equity Program?

Individuals working in the business travel industry who reside in a country identified by the OECD as low to upper-middle income (see Appendix tab) are eligible for the program.
In addition, the applicant attests that their employer will not pay for GBTA membership

How are acceptance decisions made?

The decision making is designed to be as equitable as possible.
Quite simply, if an applicant meets the basic criteria, they are eligible.
Applicants are accepted in the order in which applications are received until a cohort is full.
Once a cohort is full, eligible applicants are placed on a waiting list until a new cohort opens.

When can I expect to hear back?

Applicants will be notified of their status within 30 days of the close of the application period.

How does an accepted applicant activate their membership?

If you’ve been accepted via the Global Equity Program, your membership will be automatically activated for you within approximately 2 weeks. The GBTA Membercare team will provide onboarding instructions.

I have other questions about the application process – who can I contact?

Please email GEP@gbta.org

Waitlist / Interest List FAQ

I am on the GEP waitlist / interest list. Am I automatically guaranteed acceptance in the future?

No, you are not guaranteed acceptance. However, our goal is to admit as many members through the Global Equity Program as possible!
Space is extremely limited and determined by the number of sponsors at any given time.
Our goal is to have 4 cohorts per year — or approximately 1 per quarter.
Each cohort requires a sponsor.
Once a sponsor is secured, eligible individuals will be accepted off the waitlist in the order in which their application was received.

I have other questions about the application process – who can I contact?

Please email GEP@gbta.org

GEP Member FAQ

As a GEP member, what activities do I need to complete to meet the requirements of membership?

To derive the most benefit from this membership, individuals accepted into the program will be asked to commit to at least four (4) interactions with GBTA per year.
The interactions include options such as attending a virtual education session, downloading a resource, engaging in discussion forums, and accessing on-demand educational resources.
Members of the program also agree to allow their contact information to be shared with program sponsor(s).

Does my GEP-sponsored membership include complementary registration to GBTA Convention or other GBTA Regional Conferences?

No. However, you will be eligible to any Member-only discounts that may be available for GBTA events.

Will my GEP-sponsored membership automatically renew next year?

No, GEP-sponsored memberships do not automatically renew.
However, you may reapply for the GEP program after your GEP-sponsored membership expires.
To be reconsidered for acceptance you must have completed at least four (4) interactions with GBTA during your GEP-sponsored membership period.
The interactions include options such as attending a virtual education session, downloading a resource, engaging in discussion forums, and accessing on- demand educational resources.
In addition, there must be available sponsorships in place at the time of application. If you reapply and meet the eligibility criteria, but no sponsorship is available, you will be added to the GEP waitlist.

Can I reapply for GEP next year?

Yes. To be reconsidered for acceptance you must have completed at least four (4) interactions with GBTA during your GEP-sponsored membership period.
The interactions do not incur additional costs and include options such as attending a virtual education session, downloading a resource, engaging in discussion forums, and accessing on-demand educational resources.
In addition, there must be available sponsorships in place at the time of application. If you reapply and meet the eligibility criteria, but no sponsorship is available, you will be added to the GEP waitlist.

How can I connect with my sponsor?

Your sponsor may reach out to you during the year of your GEP-sponsored memberships.
Sponsors may connect with their GEP members up to 2x per year – through virtual meetups that they as the Sponsor organize and host

I have other questions, who can I contact?

Please email GEP@gbta.org

Sponsor

Why Sponsor

Sponsors play a pivotal role in ensuring the GEP’s success by providing the necessary financial support for GEP memberships.

Become a GEP sponsor and amplify your brand’s reach. Not only will you be supporting diversity, equity and inclusion through nurturing future industry talent, but you can also connect with new buyers and travel professionals in emerging markets.

Founding Sponsors