President's Report

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to 2021 - Can you Believe its March - SEE BELOW FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

GBTA Supplier Summit 2021

Wednesday, March 24 | 11:00 AM ET
Please Note: This is a virtual event

Hear from GBTA staff to help you prepare for GBTA Convention 2021. The complimentary virtual supplier event will review needed planning tools, virtual tour the Orange County Convention Center, hear what new plans and protocols are in place for safety, learn about new critical sponsorship placements, and review important information, and more. GBTA’s goal is to set up all our exhibitors and sponsors for success, so attending the Virtual Supplier Summit Webinar is essential.

Agenda:

• What’s new for GBTA Convention 2021
• Virtual Tour and Sponsorship Opportunities at the Orange County Convention Center
• Exhibitor Service Manual
• Exhibitor Checklist
• COVID Guidelines and Preparedness

And More …

Cost:
Complimentary 

GBTA CHECK IN WITH SUZANNE

I’m “checking in” today, full of anticipation as I look forward to my first official Member Listening Tour session… kicking off today with session #1 in Europe. Thoughtful Q&A prompted by your write-in questions and a conversation moderated by Mark Cuschieri today will set the tone for the rest of the sessions in our series this month. (Register for next week’s US east coast region session here). I can’t wait to hear from you!

GBTA Project Unite

Project Unite, focused on the integration of GBTA and ACTE, has been making progress and we’d like to provide you with this update.

At the beginning of February, we completed the analysis of over 1,200 global responses to the survey that was conducted to gather thoughts on what people have enjoyed from the two associations, what wasn’t working and what can be done to create a stronger GBTA.

Here is a sampling of the key findings from the survey:

• Networking, education and research are some of the most important member benefits, albeit in different order in different parts of the world
• The survey participants indicated how they believe a range of events, from smaller events (500 attendees or fewer), to peer-to-peer formats for direct benchmarking and networking, along with larger global conferences, would provide them with the most value
• Past ACTE conference attendees were more inclined to feel the mixture of education, networking and exhibit time was “just right” whereas past GBTA convention attendees would like to see more time for education and networking.  As an aside, the GBTA July Convention planning committee has expanded the education sessions from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

The survey results were then reviewed in mid-February on two virtual calls with over 60 volunteers from around the world.  This group provided additional insights:

• Participants welcome a globalized view to research and overall education direction while allowing the actual education content and delivery formats to be driven from local/regional teams who understand those particular market needs
• Respect of all cultures and inclusion of all voices needs to permeate GBTA from the volunteer ranks, through the staff and with leadership
• Support for volunteering with GBTA is strong around the world and the need for a global association is needed now more than ever

Having the survey results and volunteer insights, we are now working to focus on the intricacies of the unification and what that means for a future roadmap.  Additional fact-finding calls will be held as we prepare the roadmap for finalization by mid-March. 

Our appreciation to those who completed the survey and who have volunteered their time to assist in creating a stronger association that is working to advance your careers, programs and the industry.  Please let us know if you have any questions about the project.

Project Unite Co-Chairs

Christle Johnson and Greeley Koch

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Membership Minute

GBTA UPDATES

COVID 19 Updates - Newly Released GBTA Survey

Good morning/afternoon!  

Attached please find the results of the latest Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) survey. 

The headline here is: “GBTA Poll: Digital Health Verification - The Solution to Safely Resume Business Travel Optimism Increases as Vaccine Roll-Out Accelerates.”

 View the entire poll results here and key highlights here  gbta-poll-results-031821.pdf

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Interested in working at convention.

Link to apply below.

https://form.jotform.com/72746396593169

Any questions you can contact me, [email protected]

Deadline to apply is March 26^th, 2021.

Thank you

Morgan Cook
Manager, Chapter and Committee Success

GBTA

GBTA Funded Scholarships-1, Allied, 1 Direct

https://form.jotform.com/53436319700957

*******************************************************************

VOLUNTEER FOR CONVENTION

Link to apply below.

https://form.jotform.com/72746396593169

Any questions you can contact me, [email protected]

Deadline to apply is March 26^th, 2021.

GBTA Global Scholarship Program

We are excited to announce the launch of a new GBTA global scholarship program, made possible by the contributions of a GBTA sponsor that wishes to remain anonymous. The new scholarship program is designed to make GBTA Academy courses accessible for hundreds of members during this difficult time.

Scholarship recipients may use the funds for the Certificate in Corporate Travel Execution (CCTE) program, which GBTA will be relaunching later this year in partnership with Cornell University, or for other education programs offered by GBTA Academy including:

• Fundamentals for Business Travel Management;
• Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management;
• Fundamentals of Strategic Meeting Management;
• Global Leadership Professional (GLP) education courses and designation programs
• Those who who are interested and qualify to sit for the Global Travel Professional (GTP) Certification exam.

How to Apply:
Current GBTA members and Chapter members may apply by selecting a program and completing an online application. Applications will be reviewed as received and the GBTA Professional Development Team members will notify those applicants selected to receive scholarship dollars.

Learn more about GBTA professional development and education programs for business travel professionals at every level.

If you have any questions please e​​​​mail [email protected]. 

Thank you,

GBTA Membership Team
[email protected]

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Calendar of Events

GBTA Convention 2021:
Unite in Solidarity for Business Travel

Join your peers at The Business Travel Event of the Year®, July 17-21 in Orlando, Florida, for exclusive education and networking around the latest industry trends, technologies, challenges, and solutions facing the business travel industry.

Registration rates increase March 1.

Register Now >>

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Legislative Action

It has been a very busy two weeks. So many good developments with coronavirus infections declining, vaccine rollouts improving, GBTA starting a new and exciting chapter, the R.S.T. Summit and our first global advocacy meeting (more to come). And yet, so many of our friends continue to struggle or have been impacted by severe weather. Stay safe!  I like to listen to this when I need a little pick me up.

DOCTOR DOCTOR: GBTA hosted the Ready. Safe. Travel. Summit on February 17. The first segment (Ready) consisted of three doctors discussing the vaccines, what travelers and companies should be considering, and debunked some misconceptions.

GBTA Champion: U.S. Homeland Security Committee ranking member John Katko (NY) also spoke during this segment. He discussed what the committee in charge of TSA and travel security is planning this year.

Recording: You can access the 50 minute READY session here.

UNITED TOGETHER: Last P.O.T. we raised our concerns with talk of a plan to mandate testing for U.S. domestic air travel. GBTA, along with airlines and travel groups pushed back with concerns. We were very pleased that the Biden Administration backed off this idea. We will continue to push for measures that are:

• based on a scientific and data-driven risk assessment 
• effective, feasible, and scalable
• and, produce net-positive benefits for public health and avoid unintended consequences

REALITY: We must push these messages for the business travel industry because the Transportation Department recently reported airline passenger traffic was the lowest since 1984. 368 million passengers flew on U.S. airlines in 2020, Reuters reported. In 1984, 351.6 million passengers flew on U.S. airlines.

READY. SAFE. TRAVEL. A new study by Harvard University finds airports are taking necessary measures to ensure passenger safety. “The researchers said that redoubled personal commitment can provide an added measure of safety for those who must travel. That starts with staying home if you feel ill, being diligent about mask wearing, and stepping back from crowds at unavoidable choke points like boarding gates and baggage claim.

“There are risks of any activity in public spaces. We have found that the aviation industry has been applying its scientific and engineering prowess to explore and implement measures that reduce that risk. … We are not saying that it is safe to fly, but there are risks and actions to reduce those risks,” said Leonard Marcus, lecturer on public health practice at the Chan School and co-director of the School’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative.” Full Harvard Gazette report

REMEMBER: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples." -Mother Teresa

Shane

Shane Downey
Vice President, Government & Community Relations
GBTA

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Sponsor Spotlight

A very special THANK-YOU! to our 2020-21 Sponsors, we could not do it without you!

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Welcome New Members

A Very big Welcome to our new members!

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Classified Job Listing

OVBTA:Click here to view or post positions for OVBTA

GBTA: Click here to view or post positions

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Volunteer with OVBTA

Ohio Valley BTA Volunteer Opportunities

During this time of COVID-19 many members roles have changed with their companies and because of this OVBTA is looking for members who want to get involved in chapter activates as travel begins start up again and the Executive Board begins to plan for the future. This a great way to become more engaged in our local OVBTA Chapter and a great way to maximize your OVBTA membership opportunities. Many volunteers often grow into the Committee Chairman and even eventually have the great opportunity to serve on Chapter Board of Directors.

The Committees listed below need several members to join their committee. If you are interested in volunteering complete the information below and designate the committee(s) in which you are interested. The form will be shared with the Executive Board and the Committee Chair, and they will reach out to discuss and provide additional information about responsibilities and time commitment.

Email form to Wini Cloran, OVBTA Past President and Board Chairman to [email protected]    

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________

Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________

Business Phone #: __________________________________________________________________

Mobile Phone #: ___________________________________________________________________

Are you a Direct Member (Buyer) _____________

Allied Member (Supplier) ___________________

Indicate with (X) Committee/Committees where you have interest:

 Meeting Planning Committee: __________________

Program Committee: _______________________

Sponsorship/Fundraising Committee: ___________

Scholarship Committee: _____________________

Communication Committee: ___________________

Social Media: ______________________________

Website Management: _______________________

Registration: _______________________________

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