Highlights of the 2011 GBTA Convention
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) connects the business world and is dedicated to promoting 
the value of travel management services. This is the organization that lobbies on behalf of the travel industry and provides a clear voice to Congressional representatives on topics that affect the business traveler.
The GBTA 2011 Legislative Agenda includes subjects such as:
- Next Gen - GBTA advocates for full funding to update the nation’s air traffic control system from a radar to a satellite based system.
- The Trusted Traveler program - GBTA was instrumental in the passage of the new rules affecting trusted travelers.
- Fair taxation and fees - Business travelers should not be unfairly taxed for projects and initiatives that are unrelated to transportation infrastructure and efficiency.
Travel professionals from around the globe recently gathered in Denver, Colorado for four days of presentations, educational seminars, supplier presentations, continuing education programs and peer networking at the 2011 GBTA Convention. Members of GBTA include corporations and universities, travel managers, airlines, hotels, car and limousine suppliers, meeting and event management suppliers, as well as technology providers.
Highlights of this years’ annual meeting held in Denver, Colorado included:
- New technology enhancements - online booking tools, benchmarking and data applications and travel suppliers
- The Airline CEO Panel - information from the CEO’s of major air carriers about what is on tap for business travel in 2012
- Education sessions - risk management, ancillary fees, GDS updates
- Travel Exposition - hundreds of travel suppliers from all around the world provided information about their products and new or pending enhancements
- GBTA Chapter events for peer networking
- Presentations from Meg Whitman (former CEO of eBay), Henry Paulson (former Secretary of the Treasury) and Sean Penn (world traveler and humanitarian)
An abundance of information relevant to the business traveler is available at the GBTA Convention. This year, three members of Covington’s management team were privileged to attend. The Travel Managers for several companies for whom Covington provides business travel management services were also in attendance.
For more information about GBTA membership or the topics discussed at the 2011 GBTA Convention, please contact Laurie Scott or Sam Keene at 804-747-7077.