On Friday, we wrote about what President Obama’s proposed 2015 budget means for business travel. Here is a closer look at the four things that are good for business travel and four things that are bad for business travel in the proposed budget – and what they really mean. We’ll start with the positives, albeit…
U.S business travel is expected to continue its surge in 2014 despite a record-breaking, seemingly endless winter where the effects of the polar vortex and multiple snowstorms halted travel across much of the country. Despite all of this, for the second quarter in a row, we are increasing our business travel spending forecast for this…
It’s Tax Day in the United States – the dreaded day for many on which individual income tax returns are due to the federal government. The Beatles 1966 hit song “Taxman” tells a story of despair at being overtaxed to the breaking point. If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street If you try…
It’s one thing to look for a needle in the haystack. But the crash and disappearance of Malaysian Air flight 370 is confronting investigators with an even more difficult task — they first have to find the haystack, and that may take many more days. The lack of a widespread debris field leads me to…
First Business News reported today on the growing economy and rising business travel. They talked about the fact that even in an age where technology allows us to stay more connected than ever, there is really no replacement for the handshake and face-to-face interaction. They also interviewed GBTA Foundation’s Vice President of Research Joe Bates,…
United Airlines’ Jeff Smisek was a featured speaker on the “Sunday Night Live” welcome session at GBTA’s 2011 Convention in Denver fresh off United’s merger with Continental, making it the world’s largest airline at the time. Jeff told us about his plans for United to not just be the world’s largest airline, but to become…
Today, GBTA released our latest GBTA BTI™ Outlook – Western Europe report, a semi-annual analysis of the five most critical business travel markets in Europe: Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain. These five markets together form the lion’s share of business travel in the region acting as a good barometer of the health of…
Downloadable Assets Since the roll-out of TSA Pre✓™ GBTA has met with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) numerous times discussing ways to provide platforms that easily answer the many questions about TSA Pre✓™. TSA has listened to you and the concerns we have raised and created a Toolkit that allows you to take official material and…
We released our latest U.S. quarterly forecast last week and it is filled with positive news! Business travel spending finished out 2013 with better than expected growth and is poised for even greater growth in 2014. There has been a great deal of media interest in this report and I found many reporters asking me…
We met last week with Representative Gus Bilirakis (R) from Florida’s 12th District, who represents the fast-growing Tampa Bay region of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Recently, Rep. Bilirakis joined Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) to co-chair the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, which includes a bi-partisan group of over 90 Congressmen. The good news is that we…
I was invited to speak at the Wisconsin Business Travel Association’s Education Day in early January, just as the polar vortex was engulfing 26 states in wind-chill warnings or watches. Wisconsin, of course, is a state known for its cold weather; it was in the low teens when I arrived, and the wind chill made it…
1. The world is still a big place. 2. The same rules don’t apply everywhere. 3. For all other issues, see Rule #2. The world may be getting smaller, but it is not getting any simpler, and the scope of knowledge required of global travel professionals only continues to increase. Data analytics, risk management, and…
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend GBTA’s The Masters Program in Washington, D.C. It was a fantastic chance to connect with some wonderful people in the industry – both those that I’ve known for years and others who I just met. The event kicked off with a dinner and remarks from Senator…
I was very pleased when U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole accepted our invitation to be a featured speaker at this year’s 2014 GBTA Convention in Los Angeles. Of all the agencies and government officials the GBTA Government Relations team deals with, it’s the TSA officers that interact with you and your…
The GBTA Convention has always been a meeting point for the dynamic individuals who make up the business travel industry. Like the industry itself, this year’s Convention is moving forward fast. I’m excited to share some exciting new changes to Convention with you. Convention this year begins on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27,…
I am honored to take on the role of your GBTA President and CEO, and look forward to our next steps together. As presented at Convention, our goals include: Expanding GBTA’s global outreach; Doubling our membership size from 6,000 to 12,000; and Continuing to be the leading voice in business travel everywhere! However, to accomplish…
In my first communication as your President, I promised open and frequent communications and to always keep you updated on the latest at GBTA. I’d like to start today by telling you about several transitions with volunteer leadership roles. ALLIED LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: The Allied Leadership Council (ALC) serves as the voice of allied members and…
Welcome to my first official post on the newly created GBTA blog! This will be my main form of communication with you. Since all of us get so many emails every day I thought it would be great to create one central place for you to be able to hear from me and others about…
Update (September 27, 4:45 p.m.) – This afternoon, the Senate passed a 2014 continuing resolution (H J Res 59) to fund the government through November 15, at an annualized post-sequester rate of $986.3 billion (almost level with FY13). The Senate’s CR moved the end date to November 15 from December 15 and removed House language…
Reports are the Republican Leadership has been meeting this morning to see how to move forward if the Senate, as expected, rejects the House passed measure that would keep the government open until Dec. 15, but would also delay Obamacare for one year and repeal the medical-device tax. The federal government shuts down at midnight…
I love to take pictures – specifically, pictures of doors. I have entire collections of doorway photos from India, Germany, France, UK, and now Prague, Czech Republic. I have always been fascinated by doors, probably because I always find myself wondering what lies behind and in places like Prague especially the history of what lies…
I wanted to share some brief information on a variety of important topics to keep you up to date on the latest when it comes to government and business travel. U.S. Government Shutdown: GBTA Warns Business Travel is High Risk Bargaining Chip. In interviews with Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and other leading media, Mike…
GBTA revealed results of a member survey today showing the negative impact the government shutdown is having on the business travel industry. The survey found two-thirds are concerned the shutdown will negatively impact their business if it goes on for more than a week. As we near the end of week two, the anxiety only…
As the government shutdown enters into its third week and a quick resolution seems dim, we need you to communicate to your elected leaders the harmful impact on the business travel industry. Coupled with a possible default on the nation’s debt obligations we – the business travel community – need Congress and the Administration to find…
Every quarter GBTA looks at economic trends and business spending to see where the business travel industry is headed. Our latest report, 2013 Q3 GBTA BTI™ Outlook – United States, finds that business travel spending is expected to rise across all categories of business travel in 2014. Check out the video below for more on…
I have been a member of GBTA since 2000. I know that your membership dues are a solid investment in your career. Over the years, I have participated as a member on the board of directors, as the chair of the Technology Committee, worked hard on getting my GLP (Global Leadership Professional Program) designation, and…
It’s been a busy and productive week for GBTA inside the Beltway as we work to continue to advance the interests of business travel. I met with Governor of Virginia candidate Terry McAuliffe (D). His support of a long-range transportation infrastructure investment strategy has been widely praised by Republican and Democratic leaders alike. This issue, along…
Hello all! Although the recent re-election of one very high profile Governor in New Jersey, two closely watched races of the new Virginia Governor and the New York City mayor, and the much scrutinized ObamaCare rollout have dominated the headlines… the big story in our industry has been China. We have received unprecedented news coverage…
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the GBTA Latin America Conference held at the Hilton Madero in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event was a success with over 350 business travel professionals from ten Latin American countries and the United States attending the two day event. The great novelist, Henry Miller…
Congress is once again considering an increase in the aviation security tax paid by passengers. As the Budget Committee tries to deal with the next round of mandatory cuts in agency budgets due to sequestration, any measure that brings in additional revenue or decreases spending is on the table. We need you to let your…
Thanks to all of you who have already sent letters opposing an increase in the aviation security tax via the Legislative Action Center. Unfortunately, with the confrontational, intense budget negotiations in Congress, the fee increase is still very much in the discussion. GBTA has been communicating and meeting with key members of Congress to voice our…
I wanted to share some information on a variety of important topics to keep you up to date on the latest when it comes to government and business travel. Aviation Security Tax Hike – Bad For Business: Congress more than doubled the security tax despite strong opposition from a diverse coalition including GBTA, consumer groups, other…
GBTA continues its mission to broaden its global reach – and maintain our commitment to transparency. Last week, GBTA jointly announced with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) a partnership to host an inaugural APAC Travel Summit in Bangkok, December 8-9, 2022. We are excited to work with PATA to host this two-day event which…
The two-day, first-of-its-kind joint event in Asia will address sustainability and best practices in the tourism, MICE, and corporate travel spheres The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in partnership with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) will host their inaugural PATA & GBTA APAC Travel Summit at the new, state-of-the-art Queen Sirikit National Convention Center…
Brussels – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, is calling on the European Commission to address the staff shortages threatening the industry’s recovery. The current six-week background checks required for employees working at airports and in the airline sector is causing a bottleneck, and delay to the smooth travel…
One of the most important ways to sustain our association and industry is by paying it forward – by professionally supporting and helping others, as others have helped you. That’s why we are excited to share that the WINiT by GBTA 1:1 Mentoring Program is making a return. This virtual, one-on-one global program is designed…
GBTA submitted response to the European Commission’s public consultation on international freight and passenger transport – increasing the share of rail traffic, focusing on the importance of rail as an alternative to air transport and reducing emissions from business travel. GBTA co-signed a joint rail travel letter along with CER, EUTT, and others on Reaching EU Climate goals by making rail…
The Honourable Omar Alghabra, P.C., M.P. Minister of Transport Transport Canada 330 Sparks Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5 Dear Minister, On behalf of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), I want to thank you and your government for the recent revisions to COVID-19 policies impacting Canadian borders and air transportation workers, along with the…
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