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Check‑In with Suzanne
From Brussels to Washington and Beyond — Advancing Business Travel Through Advocacy
In periods of rapid change, uncertainty and challenge, business travel doesn’t move forward by standing still. And business travel sits at the intersection of economic growth, workforce mobility, security, sustainability, and global connectivity. That means decisions made in government offices, often far removed from the day‑to‑day realities of travel programs, can have immediate and lasting impacts for companies and travelers alike.
At GBTA, advocacy is not a side effort. It is core to who we are and how we serve our members across the globe.
GBTA continues our work across the European Union to promote traveler mobility, infrastructure investment and consistent policy approaches that support business travel across borders. On April 8th, GBTA will host an event in the European Parliament focused on how business travel can help Europe deliver on its sustainable growth and competitiveness agenda. As this agenda enjoys broad cross-party support, we are delighted to welcome Members of the European Parliament from the three largest political groups: Sergio Gonçalves (S&D, Portugal), Nikolina Brnjac (EPP, Croatia) and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew, Ireland).
At the same time, we continue our engagement with U.S. lawmakers and agencies on policies affecting entry, security and travel efficiency. The importance of advocacy becomes even clearer in moments of disruption. Over just the past year, GBTA has actively engaged on emerging issues ranging from the impact of U.S. government actions on business travel, to concerns around proposed additional ESTA requirements, and the suspension of Global Entry due to the partial U.S. government shutdown. These are not abstract policy debates; they are issues that directly impact traveler confidence, corporate decision‑making, border efficiency and economic competitiveness.
When these challenges arise, GBTA acts. We raise concerns, provide data, engage policymakers, and keep members informed. But policymakers listen more closely when they hear not just from an association, but from the professionals and companies who experience the impact firsthand.
That’s where you come in.
Giving back through advocacy doesn’t require a government affairs background, it requires perspective. Industry professionals can play an essential role by participating in advocacy initiatives. Join us in Brussels on April 8 (reach out to Shane Downey for details), and at the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit June 9-11, where U.S. business travel professionals head to Washington, D.C. to meet directly in Congressional offices and explain why business travel matters. (Registration is open!)
GBTA’s role is to bring the voice of the global business travel community into those rooms and ensure our industry’s needs are understood, respected, and prioritized. Together, we are not just navigating uncertainty, we are helping define what comes next for business travel.
— Suzanne
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