A Look at the Future of Lodging
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A Look at the Future of Lodging

With the growth of home-sharing platform Airbnb, traditional hotel chains have had to take a step back and rediscover what makes them unique. This was the topic of conversation at GBTA Convention 2017’s Lodging Panel, moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest. Representing hoteliers was AccorHotels’ Senior VP of Global Sales, Markus Keller, and NH Hotel Groups…

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How Turkish Airlines Became the Self-Proclaimed “King of the Comeback” – A Conversation with Chairman Ilker Ayci

Turkish Airlines has been named “Europe’s Best Airline” for the past six years, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t had their challenges. A terrorist attack on one of their airports in 2016 led to 45 deaths and more than 230 injuries. At GBTA Convention 2017, Chairman of Turkish Airlines, Ilker Ayci, spoke with GBTA COO…

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Forecasting the Future of Flight with Delta’s Ed Bastian

“When I graduated from college, I never even had set foot on an airplane,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian told the crowd in his first appearance on Center Stage at GBTA Convention 2017. Bastian is now the head of one of the largest global airlines and spoke with GBTA Executive Director and COO Mike McCormick about…

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GBTA Convention Panel Discusses Geopolitical Disruptions and the Future of Global Business Travel

In the modern travel world, political tension has an immense impact on travel policies and the way businesses conduct transportation on a global scale. During Monday’s Center Stage Panel at GBTA Convention 2017, global business experts discussed the two main geopolitical disruptions we face today alongside moderator Courtney Hammond, Principal of Deloitte Consulting LLP. The…

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Tools for Identifying Risk Amongst the Noise

Amidst the current global risks, business travel remains vital to the economy. In spite of its importance, it can be challenging to sift through all available data to make responsible company decisions. So how can travel managers successfully navigate this process? At the GBTA Canada Conference in April, COO Mike McCormick spoke with Peter Martin,…

Week in Review
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Week in Review

According to TechCrunch, the U.S. has lifted laptop bans from passengers flying with Etihad, Emirates and Turkish Airlines. CNNMoney reports that the laptop ban was also lifted from Qatar Airways, since the airline meets all of DHS’ new security guidelines. GBTA unveiled its Media Day line-up for GBTA Convention 2017, July 15-19 in Boston. More…

GBTA Unveils Media Day Line-Up for GBTA Convention 2017

GBTA Unveils Media Day Line-Up for GBTA Convention 2017

The business of travel has brought the world within reach, with borders blurring and people intersecting in all corners of the globe. The pace of change is unrelenting, but companies are constantly innovating to meet the changing needs of the industry. GBTA Convention brings the entire industry together making it a “can’t miss” event. Every…

Sweepstakes: Win Tickets to a Boston Red Sox Game

Want to win tickets to see the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays play on Thursday, July 20? Register for GBTA Convention 2017 by Friday, July 7, 2017, and you’ll be automatically entered into our Sweepstakes. Registered attendees will also be entered to win VIP seats to Convention Arena Luncheon featuring speaker Michael Phelps. How…

Sweepstakes: Win Tickets to a Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Game!

Want to win tickets to see the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays play on Thursday, July 20? Register for GBTA Convention 2017 by Friday, July 7, 2017, and you’ll be automatically entered into our Sweepstakes. Registered attendees will also be entered to win VIP seats to Convention Arena Luncheon featuring speaker Michael Phelps….

4 Ways to Optimize Your Employees’ Bleisure Travel Experience
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4 Ways to Optimize Your Employees’ Bleisure Travel Experience

In 2016, there were 522 million business trips taken in the United States. So what should you do when one of your employees decides to extend one of these into a bleisure trip?  If they have decided to take a long weekend to enjoy the sights after their meeting is over, it is now up…

The Importance of Technology in the SME Market
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The Importance of Technology in the SME Market

Having the right resources makes all the difference. And in the business world, resources can set apart competitors, strengthen a struggling organization and allow employees to do their jobs more efficiently. For SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) these resources are extremely important, as their travel managers typically have other roles and responsibilities they are attempting…

Involving TMCs in the Hotel RFP Process
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Involving TMCs in the Hotel RFP Process

Employees preparing for a business trip don’t simply select whatever flight or hotel they feel desire and hop on for the ride. There is careful planning done behind-the-scenes by professionals whose role is to ensure the safe and efficient travel of individuals within a company. Travel managers develop strategic plans and policies for all forms…

3 Key Factors in Bleisure Travel Hotel Choice
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3 Key Factors in Bleisure Travel Hotel Choice

*For a better understanding of what a bleisure traveler is, take a look at our first post in this series, “Sit Back, Relax, and Stay Awhile: A Quick Guide to Bleisure Travelers”. After someone has decided to extend their work trip into a bleisure trip, they have one more question to answer: will they stay…

First Responder to Boston Marathon Bombings, Dr. Natalie Stavas, to Keynote First-Timer Luncheon at GBTA Convention 2017
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First Responder to Boston Marathon Bombings, Dr. Natalie Stavas, to Keynote First-Timer Luncheon at GBTA Convention 2017

Although she may be a doctor, Natalie Stavas began her morning on April 15, 2013 by putting on a pair of running shoes, not a white coat. And yet, that day would end up being one of the biggest medical challenges of her life, as she neared the end of her fifth Boston Marathon and…

Contest: Win an Exclusive GBTA Convention 2017 Prize

Exhibitors, now’s your chance to win two (2) VIP seats to Convention Arena Luncheon on Wednesday, July 19 featuring speaker Michael Phelps, one of the most decorated athletes in the history of swimming! How to Enter: Register to exhibit at GBTA Convention 2017 by Friday, June 30. Follow @GlobalBTA on Twitter. Retweet when prompted. Prompts will be sent…

Week in Review
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Week in Review

According to The Washington Post, President Trump announced revisions to parts of Obama’s Cuba policy on Friday. The new policy prohibits commercial dealings with Cuba’s military and somewhat limits U.S. citizens from freely traveling to the island. Buying Business Travel notes Heathrow baggage issues that affected passengers on Thursday morning have been resolved. Some passengers…

Near, Far, Wherever You Are- Learn How to Stay Safe Around the World with GBTA’s Risk Radar Webinar
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Near, Far, Wherever You Are- Learn How to Stay Safe Around the World with GBTA’s Risk Radar Webinar

Business travel gives employees the opportunity to visit new and exciting countries, but the changing world climate makes it important to stay updated on shifting risk levels. While it’s impossible to predict every dangerous situation abroad, there are proactive measures that can be taken to send your team out with their best foot forward. GBTA’s…

The Five Pillars of Travel Risk Management
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The Five Pillars of Travel Risk Management

Over the past three weeks, we’ve witnessed an array of devastating attacks, from the Manchester Arena terrorist attack which killed 22 people and wounded 116 to the twin attacks in Tehran that left 12 dead and 42 injured. If your business travelers found themselves in the face of these tragedies, would you be able to…

GBTA Board of Directors Election Absentee Ballot Request Process Now Open

*The Absentee Ballot Request Process was originally sent as an email to GBTA members eligible to vote on June 2. If you have any questions or did not receive this email and believe you should have, please contact Election Services Corp. at GBTAhelp@electionservicescorp.com * Make Your Voice Heard Determine the Future of GBTA Absentee Ballot Request…

Sit Back, Relax, and Stay Awhile: A Quick Guide to Bleisure Travelers
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Sit Back, Relax, and Stay Awhile: A Quick Guide to Bleisure Travelers

Conferences in Singapore. Meetings by the Eiffel Tower. Conventions at Disney World. When work trips take place in interesting locations, business travelers may want to utilize their vacation days and extend their stay. Last year, nearly one-third (37 percent) of North American business travelers extended a work trip for leisure. These individuals, called “bleisure travelers”…

GBTA Notice of Annual Meeting

GBTA Notice of Annual Meeting

*The Notice of Annual Meeting was originally sent as an email to GBTA members eligible to vote on May 31. If you have any questions or did not receive this email and believe you should have, please contact Election Services Corp. at GBTAhelp@electionservicescorp.com* NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING Annual Report; Election of Directors; Absentee Ballot Request Instructions and…

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Is Ride-sharing Right for Your Corporate Travel Program?

Ride-sharing services are a study in explosive growth. When Uber, the first large-scale ride-sharing service, launched in 2010, it was restricted to San Francisco and cost one-and-a-half times more than a taxi, according to Business Insider. By the next year, it had spread to multiple cities, had an app, and advertised itself as “Everyone’s Private…

Week in Review
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Week in Review

Buying Business Travel reports Manchester flights would “operate as normal” following a terror attack at the MEN arena on Monday night. According to Business Traveller, Virgin Australia and Air Canada’s codeshare agreement has officially begun, and travelers may now buy tickets for codeshare flights on select routes operated by both carriers. Buying Business Travel reports passengers…

Breaking Through to Connect with Corporate Travel Buyers

Generating appointments with in-demand travel buyers can be a difficult challenge to overcome. Since 80 percent of GBTA Convention buyer attendees are decision makers in managerial, directorial, executive or C-level positions, CMO Ed Barrett recently led a webinar entitled Breaking through to Connect with Corporate Travel Buyers – Keys to Success. Travel buyers partake in…