Business Travel Industry Unites for GBTA Europe Conference 2022 in Partnership with VDR

GBTA and VDR wrapped up an eighth successful joint regional conference in Brussels today, bringing together more than 800 attendees from 22 countries for insights, collaboration, networking, and education under the guiding theme of (Re)Connect, (Re)Imagine, (Re)Create.

“The Europe conference has always reflected the best of what GBTA delivers in community, learning and advocacy to help attendees, our members, and the industry continue to get back to travel and back to business. It is more important than ever that we come together to design new strategies to create an industry ready for the future requirements of companies, travellers, and the planet,” said Catherine Logan, Regional Vice President, EMEA, GBTA.

Highlights from the event include:

Herald Ruijters, Director for Investment, Innovative and Sustainable Transport - DG Mobility and Transport, outlined how the European Commission is building the foundation for a sustainable future for travel in Europe, specifically around smart mobility, passenger rights, and investment in infrastructure.

GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang moderated a cross-industry executive panel who shared their reflections and forthcoming plans in exploring the opportunities and challenges for business travel in a post-pandemic world.

In an interactive workshop – “The Big Idea: Travel and The Law of Attraction” – attendees re-imagined what the travel industry can, and needs, to do better to retain and attract talent. Breakout table discussions explored diversity and inclusion, modern technologies, traveller well-being, and sustainability.

Stéphane Vallageas, Capgemini, was the recipient of this year’s Luoma Award, established in 2011 to recognize volunteers who support the development of GBTA and its local market partners in Europe. For the first time, a GBTA Europe Lifetime Achievement Award was presented – to Lotten Fowler, General Manager of SBTA, the Swedish Business Travel Association.

Over 65 speakers and 18 highly curated education sessions were featured across topics such as sustainability; DE&I; travel risk management; strategic use of data; traveller care; digitalization; the future of meetings, and what’s ahead for payments.

More than 40 partner companies showcased solutions and services and nine companies announced their news, while the GBTA Europe Broadcast Studio hosted 36 executive interviews.

The event was preceded by GBTA’s first Global Sustainability Summit attracting nearly 300 experts, industry, and policy leaders to outline concrete solutions to decarbonise business travel, in alignment with the Paris Climate Goals.

Read more about the GBTA Europe Conference in today’s announcement.

Couldn’t attend the GBTA Europe Conference? Visit here for more details about on-demand Conference Plus providing replay access to main stage recordings and select education sessions.

Industry Spotlight

GBTA VDR 2022 - Conference Plus
Sign up Now for Conference +

Can’t make the GBTA Conference 2022 Brussel in partnership with VDR this year this year? This virtual replay option gives you access to some of the most insightful presentations and education sessions from the event.

• 6 Main Stage recordings
• Access to broadcast studio
• Select from an additional 18 Education Sessions that will be available November 10, 2022- February 14, 2023 for On-Demand Conference Plus.

GBTA Member: € 99 | Register
Non Member: € 199 | Register

PATA - GBTA APAC Travel Summit
Day 1 | Main Stage Sessions Announced

Don’t miss this two-day education and tradeshow event December 8-9 in Bangkok at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) Bangkok, Thailand.

Main stage sessions are now confirmed, Day one on main stage will have discussions on Blended Travel and Getting back to Business Travel, Tourism and MICE.

Blended Travel
With the rise in work from anywhere and the flexibility that brings, there is a renewed interest in blending business and leisure travel and activities. Furthermore, today’s travelers are thinking more about how they spend their time at home and on the road, and their impacts they have on their environment and local communities. Explore the impacts of this shift in mindset and the potential positive effect that travel can have on a local ecosystem.

Sustainability and its impact on the current and future of travel (Leisure, MICE, Business)
Climate change and efforts to improve sustainability practices continue to be relevant throughout the travel industry, particularly as travelers are making more socially conscious decisions in their travel planning. Together, let’s take a look at what’s happening today, what’s on the horizon and how we can reduce the environmental impact of travel to contribute to positive change.

Register now and secure your space.

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Bahamas, The and United States - Hurricane Nicole tracking west-northwestward in the North Atlantic Ocean late Nov. 9. Landfall imminent near Fort Pierce. Fla., US.

China - Officials tighten COVID-19 restrictions in parts of Beijing, China, as of Nov. 10. Localized disruptions likely.

Mexico - National Civic Front to march in cities throughout Mexico Nov. 13. Heightened security and disruptions likely.

United Kingdom - Activists to stage nationwide demonstrations in the UK, Nov. 12; heightened security, transport and business disruptions likely.

More Information