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…

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…

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”…

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…

United States Projected to Lose $1.3 Billion in Travel-Related Expenditures in 2017

United States Projected to Lose $1.3 Billion in Travel-Related Expenditures in 2017

First, there was Brexit. Next came the Trump Administration’s first travel ban, which cost the United States $185 million in business travel bookings in one week. It was followed by a second travel ban, which like the first, was halted by court orders. After that, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) barred passengers…

Determine the Future of GBTA – Board Election

Determine the Future of GBTA – Board Election

*This election brochure post was originally sent as an email to GBTA members eligible to vote on May 19. 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* It is time once again to make your voice heard in choosing new leadership…

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Turbulent Skies Ahead: Travel Industry Braces for Electronic Ban Expansion

Earlier this week, a JetBlue flight was diverted after a lithium-ion laptop battery caught fire in a passenger’s carry-on. According to Business Insider, this occurrence exposes one of the major dangers associated with the Trump Administration’s laptop ban, which is currently imposed on 10 airports in eight Middle Eastern and African countries. The possible expansion of…

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…

GBTA, VDR Launch Registration for European Conference in 2017

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, and its German partner association VDR, the German Business Travel Association, announced that registration is open for GBTA Conference 2017 Frankfurt in Partnership with VDR. The conference will take place 28-30 November 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany at The Forum at Messe…

Are Corporate Travel Programs Getting the Hotel Rates They Negotiate?
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Are Corporate Travel Programs Getting the Hotel Rates They Negotiate?

The GBTA Foundation, the education arm of the Global Business Travel Association, in partnership with HRS Global Hotel Solutions, conducted a global survey to assess if and how travel managers audit their hotel rates as well as reasons why some travel programs choose not to do so. Globally, 86 percent of travel managers audit their…

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…

Week in Review

Week in Review

The United States is projected to lose $1.3 billion in travel-related expenditures in 2017, including hotels, food, rental cars and shopping expenses that inbound travelers would have spent. According to GBTA, $250 million will be lost in spending from inbound business travelers from Europe and the Middle East. The Verge claims Trump’s laptop ban on…

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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…

What’s In Store for Visa Reciprocity between the United States and Europe?

What’s In Store for Visa Reciprocity between the United States and Europe?

Recently, GBTA reported that the European Parliament called upon the European Commission to reintroduce a visa requirement for Americans traveling to Europe unless political issues over visa reciprocity between the regions are resolved. In its response to the European Parliament published last week, the European Commission argued that suspending visa reciprocity with the United States would…

Innovation Series Competition: 30K, Groups360, Distribusion

Nine innovators recently competed for a spot on the Expo Floor at GBTA Convention 2017 during the multi-faceted Innovation Series. The interactive program enabled innovators to present their pitch to a panel of judges and participants who, at the end of the webinar, selected a winner to move on and exhibit on the all-new Innovation…

Message from the Office of the GBTA President

Message from the Office of the GBTA President

*This post was also sent as an email to GBTA Members.* Dear GBTA Member, I recently had the honor of attending the GBTA Foundation Gala and celebrating the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary. The gala highlighted the groundbreaking research the Foundation has conducted on behalf of the industry. That research has made the Foundation a global thought…