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Check-In with Suzanne
The Value of Getting Out of Your “Normal”
Being diligently focused on the day-to-day work we do for our organizations and industry is critical to achieving objectives and moving forward. But sometimes we need to go outside of our “normal” − outside of your company, regular work and even industry − to gain the benefit of broader and different perspectives.
Last week I went to “school” − which involved a lot of listening, networking and learning within and beyond our industry while attending Climate Week NYC. (You can read more here about our GBTA Foundation event, where, along with IHG Hotels & Resorts and other sponsors, we brought nearly a hundred sustainability and travel industry leaders together for the first time during Climate Week to spark dialogue around the decarbonization challenges of business travel.)
It was an exhausting but energizing week. I was able to take in views across various sectors, industries and experts – but all focused on creating a more sustainable way forward on our planet. Here are a few highlights…
At the Sustainable Markets Initiative CEO Summit, chaired by Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan, discussion ranged from scaling the production of SAF for aviation and decarbonizing solutions within buildings, to how private + public sector investing can pave the way to more successful outcomes for nature-based initiatives in emerging markets.
The Nasdaq Annual New York Climate Week Conference showed the growing role which finance and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) decision makers have within the climate transition. Clear and consistent reporting requirements was one unifying theme of the day. Additionally, there was also a strong case made for finance, compliance and sustainability teams to stay in lock step – especially given the imminent CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) requirements from the EU.
Cross-company collaboration is very much the view within our own industry and a key driver behind the GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge. (If you are in a travel management role, PLEASE take the assessment – there are only 14 days left until the challenges closes on October 15th.) It will also be part of the discussion at GBTA’s third Sustainability Summit being held in Copenhagen, November 4, just prior to the GBTA Conference Europe, November 5-6.
When we “go out” to learn from other industries and companies, we “come back” to our own industry better informed, inspired and engaged − and with insights and learnings that can be applied to our association and foundation, members and business travel colleagues, and our nearly $1.5 trillion industry.
So take the opportunity to get out from behind your laptop and regular daily “to do” list to explore something bigger and beyond. I found it absolutely time well spent – and I know you will, too.
Suzanne
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