NBTA Will Become The Global Business Travel Association in 2011
Name Change Reflects Global Nature of the Association’s Business
The world’s largest network of business travel professionals – now known as the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) – announced today that it will change its name next year to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). The announcement was made during the first general session of the 2010 NBTA International Convention & Exposition – The Business Travel Event of the YearSM – being held this week in Houston.
NBTA President & CEO, Craig Banikowski, CCTE, C.P.M., CMM, laid out the vision for the organization’s future: “Our industry continues to evolve, and our jobs are evolving as well. Just as we have all changed our thinking about our jobs in recent years, our association must shift its thinking. As your elected President & CEO, my primary strategic focus is taking NBTA from being a national organization to being a truly global business group that gives you seamless access to best-in-class resources, information, and the global network you need -- anytime, anyplace.”
The NBTA network previously included operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Earlier this year NBTA Europe was formed in partnership with seven groups across the continent, providing NBTA members an expanded network of peers and colleagues in the second largest business travel market.
Michael W. McCormick, NBTA Executive Director & COO, said, “Today, NBTA encompasses six regional operations on four continents. We have customers in more than 30 countries who serve millions of business travelers worldwide. In 2011, our name will officially change as we become the Global Business Travel Association, or GBTA.”
McCormick went on to tell attendees that association members would have opportunities to provide input to help shape the new GBTA brand: “From graphics to member benefits, your ideas will help determine the new look and feel of a newly-energized organization.”
About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global business travel and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information, visit GBTA.org.
About the GBTA Foundation
The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of GBTA, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information, visit GBTAFoundation.org.
Nicole Hayes
Assistant Manager, Communications
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GBTA