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Check-in with Suzanne:
When It Comes to Advocacy, Every Voice and Vote Matters
Many years ago, as someone new to the industry, I thought advocating for business travel was someone else’s role – perhaps only for members with particular experience or acumen in the area or for senior leaders/owners. But I’ve since learned, when it comes to advocating for our industry, every voice matters – and there’s an opportunity for everyone to be part of the process and to make a difference.
That’s why we’re excited and grateful for those who participate in the annual U.S. Legislative Summit, taking place this year June 10-12 in Washington, DC. From learning directly about our industry’s issues, to taking to Capitol Hill for discussions with lawmakers and their senior staff, the Summit empowers 100+ industry professionals to bring business travel insights and policy requests directly to their state’s legislators. This year, we also look forward to sharing GBTA’s U.S. policy priorities (similar to what we published for EU policymakers) along with a newly updated GBTA report outlining the positive impacts that business travel has on the U.S. economy.
This year we’ll see a lot of “civics in action” as half the planet will go to the polls to elect their next leaders. Likewise here at GBTA, members can help shape the future of our association by participating in the Board of Directors elections. Voting is now open. Visit the 2024 Elections page for details and to hear from 18 candidates vying for six open Board seats. GBTA members should check for their unique email link from “GBTA Elections” to cast their vote (the deadline is June 25th). As members, your vote is your voice, and we thank you for helping us continue to create what’s next for GBTA and the industry.
When it comes to shaping what’s next, being at the GBTA Ladders Summit in Chicago last week was definitely an inspiration to me. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Ladders program is all about professional development, mentoring and cross-industry networking – or, to borrow one of the program’s hashtags, #ladderscreatesleaders. Marking the culmination of the 2023-2024 Ladders Season, more than 170 program participants came together to learn, network and innovate. Four finalist teams delivered presentations on the topic of the future of travel through radical collaboration and partnerships, and the winning team (announced on June 7th) will share their presentation at the GBTA Convention in July. Congratulations to the individuals involved this season, and the companies who supported them. All of the projects were impressive and make the case for how working together and thinking differently will be key to our industry’s future.
It’s connection, community and people that truly make GBTA what it is today and what it will be tomorrow – let's continue to nurture and build relationships across our industry.
Suzanne
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