Bob Costas to Deliver Keynote at GBTA Convention 2019

Alexandria, VA (April 11, 2019) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, today announced award-winning sportscaster, broadcaster, and best selling-author Bob Costas as its first featured speaker at GBTA Convention 2019, held August 3-7 in Chicago. Costas’ keynote address will take place at the Convention Arena Luncheon on…

Call for Nominations Open to Serve on GBTA Board of Directors

*GBTA Members received the following post in an email from Election Services Corp. along with a personalized link to submit your nominations for the Board. If you do not think you received the email, please check your spam folders first. If you still cannot find the email, please contact Election Services at gbtahelp@electionservicescorp.com for assistance.*​ GBTA’s Board…

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Safety – It’s Not Just for Travelers Anymore

You have done everything you can possibly do to ensure your travelers are well educated and practicing safe guidelines and protocols while traveling. You have a high-risk destination pre-approval process in place and the ability to track and contact travelers. Your organization is partnered with at least one security and intelligence provider supporting traveler safety and health, and you regularly conduct travel risk management program resource and education outreach. Your travel risk management program provides end-to-end Duty of Care to travelers. You’ve covered it all, right?

WINiT To Deliver Women’s Leadership Development Session at ITM Conference 2019

Alexandria, VA (April 9, 2019) – WINiT by GBTA, a network driving positive change for the career mobility of women in the travel-related industries, announced that it will be delivering a career development workshop as part of ITM Conference 2019 on 29 April at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.

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Podcast: GBTA’s Broadcast Studio Comes to Mexico City

On the podcast today, you’ll hear GBTA Executive Director and COO Mike McCormick’s interviews with Luis Barrios, President and CEO, Hoteles City Express; Anko Van Der Werff, Chief Revenue Officer, Aeromexico; and Beat Wille, Country General Manager – Mexico, BCD Travel. View all of the interviews from Mexico City on GBTA’s YouTube channel.

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REAL ID Update

GBTA has closely been following developments with REAL ID over the past few years. REAL ID is a federal law passed as part of the 9/11 Commission in 2015 and requires states to issue standardized ID cards and driver’s licenses that include new technology. The intent of the law is to prevent forged documents and…

Dynamic Leadership Session Added to Programming for WINiT Summit 2019 – Chicago

Alexandria, VA (April 3, 2019) – WINiT by GBTA, a network driving positive change for the career mobility of women in the travel-related industries, announced today that CEO of Gillis Consulting and Training, Inc., Tammy Gillis, will share valuable insight on how to build a team of sales leaders at WINiT Summit 2019 – Chicago…

Podcast: #BalanceForBetter – Celebrating Women in Travel

On today’s episode of The Business of Travel, we celebrate Women’s History Month as March comes to an end. We highlight WINiT and GBTA activities that took place around International Women’s Day earlier this month, including the launch of the inaugural WINiT awards recognizing excellence in leadership in advancing women in travel-related industries. This episode…

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More Airport Taxes Just Won’t Fly

Currently, some in Congress want to double the current Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), and others even want to remove the cap altogether, meaning airports would be able to increase the PFC as much as they want. Today, GBTA joined Travelers United, Americans for Tax Reform and Airlines for America in opposition to raising the PFC. The…

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Protect 9/11 Aviation Security Fee: Aviation Security Too Important to Divert Funds

Details on the Administration’s 2020 budget continue to come out this week. Included in it was a proposal to increase the 9/11 Aviation Security fee by one dollar, despite the fact that a portion of the funds currently being collected are being diverted to general deficit reduction. The fee is currently capped at $5.60 per…

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Message From the Office of the GBTA President

Given this afternoon’s announcement that the U.S. will join other countries in grounding Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts, GBTA recognizes that many of our members are looking for information and answers. First, I want to express my sincere sympathies to the families and friends of those who were on board Ethiopian Airlines flight 302.

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Top Risk Management Tips when in Crowded Places

Concerts, festive markets or shopping on the high street – the holiday season is always a popular time for going out. And, as much as these events are to be enjoyed, it is important that anyone attending such events should be mindful of their own personal safety. Here are the top tips to consider when…

WINiT Announces 2019 Gala Featuring Inaugural WINiT Awards

Alexandria, VA (March 8, 2019) – WINiT by GBTA, a network driving positive change for the career mobility of women in the travel-related industries, today announced the WINiT Gala will be held at the Grand Hyatt New York in New York City on November 7. WINiT Gala 2019 will be an exclusive social event recognizing excellence…

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Week in Review

United is testing a new software that is saving thousands of connecting passengers from missing their flights, Skift writes. The technology uses passenger data to assist gate agents in delaying departures for individuals late to a connecting flight. In its largest acquisition to date, Pitchbook reports Airbnb is acquiring HotelTonight. Although the pricing details have…

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Podcast: How Technology Impacts Traveller Behaviour & Safety

For this week’s episode, The Business of Travel previews GBTA webinar content airing a recent session called How Technology Impacts Traveller Behaviour & Safety. During the webinar experts from GBTA and SAP Concur dive into the results of a recent European research study that looked to explore business traveller booking behaviour.

Week in Review

Concerns are emerging that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is not protecting traveler data after conducting searches of electronic devices, Skift notes. Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy is acquiring luxury hotel group Belmond in a $3.2 billion USD deal, CNBC reports. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019. Also on the acquisition front, Phocuswire notes Google acquired Where is My Train?,…

Week in Review

Concerns are emerging that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is not protecting traveler data after conducting searches of electronic devices, Skift notes. Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy is acquiring luxury hotel group Belmond in a $3.2 billion USD deal, CNBC reports. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019. Also on the acquisition front, Phocuswire notes Google acquired Where is My Train?,…

Podcast: Sneak Preview – Education Content to Expect at GBTA Convention 2019

Today’s episode of The Business of Travel provides you with an early preview of key themes you can expect from education content at GBTA Convention 2019. Amanda Cecil, GBTA’s Senior Vice President of Professional Development and Research, covers what is on tap for education from start to finish at Convention this summer in Chicago. She also previews WINiT content coming…

WINiT Coming to GBTA Conference 2019 – Toronto

Alexandria, VA (February 28, 2019) –WINiT, a business unit of GBTA focused on driving positive change for the career mobility of women in the travel-related industries, today announced Danièle Sauvageau as the featured keynote speaker at WINiT at GBTA Conference 2019 – Toronto, taking place April 15, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Having…

WINiT by GBTA to Debut Educational Content at GBTA Conference 2019 – Mexico City

Alexandria, VA (February 27, 2019) –WINiT, a business unit of GBTA focused on driving positive change for the career mobility of women in the travel-related industries, will host a two-part education session at GBTA Conference 2019 – Mexico City which takes place March 19 – 21. Five-time author and Principal and Founder of Sjodin Communications, Terri Sjodin, will…

Majority of Organizations Fail to Conduct Formal Risk Assessment for Every Meeting

Alexandria, VA (February 20, 2019) – A majority of travel buyers (62 percent) say risk management of meetings and events is a growing priority for their organization, according to new research out today from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) in partnership with WorldAware. Current efforts are lacking, however, as companies only sometimes conduct formal risk…

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Ben Mulroney to Keynote at GBTA Conference 2019 Toronto

Toronto, Canada (February 19, 2019) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, today announced Ben Mulroney as a featured speaker at GBTA Conference 2019 – Toronto, taking place April 15-17. His appearance is made possible by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), the world’s leading business partner for managed…

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BREXIT UPDATE: UK Rejection of Withdrawal Agreement Increases Chance of No-Deal

GBTA Calls on its Members to Prepare for Brexit Uncertainties Executive Summary Seemingly every day new information on Brexit is coming out, yet uncertainty is greater than ever. Several votes were held recently on Tuesday, January 29, in the UK Parliament on amendments to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, two of the proposed amendments succeeded.  The…

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BREXIT UPDATE: UK Rejection of Withdrawal Agreement Increases Chance of No-Deal

GBTA Calls on its Members to Prepare for Brexit Uncertainties Executive Summary Seemingly every day new information on Brexit is coming out, yet uncertainty is greater than ever. Several votes were held recently on Tuesday, January 29, in the UK Parliament on amendments to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, two of the proposed amendments succeeded.  The…

Podcast: Data is the Foundation of All Negotiations

This week’s episode of The Business of Travel focuses on all things to do with travel data. We discuss the sheer amount of data available and how technology is changing the game. Several industry experts on the supplier side joined us to share their insights as well as two GBTA buyer members who shared their best practices…

GBTA Names Sehrab Grewal VP of Business Development and Head of Consulting for WINiT

Alexandria, VA (February 14, 2019) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the business travel industry, today announced Sehrab Grewal has joined WINiT by GBTA as the new Vice President of Business Development and Head of Consulting. “As WINiT continues its growth and global expansion as a business unit of GBTA, we are…

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Minimizing Risk for Pregnant Travelers

Pregnant travelers face numerous considerations that most travelers do not need to bear in mind. However, with planning and preparation, pregnant women can safely travel to most locations. Expectant mothers should schedule an appointment with a travel medicine specialist at least four to six weeks before travel. The travel medicine practitioner may need to collaborate…

Podcast: No Appetite for a No-Deal Brexit

Last week, GBTA and ITM hosted the inaugural Strategic Meetings Management Symposium in London featuring keynoter Gillian Keegan, Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Chichester. A travel industry veteran, she shared her unique perspective on the outlook for the business travel industry in a post-Brexit world. On today’s episode of The Business of Travel, hear excerpts from…