The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) announced the forthcoming launch of a formal, French-speaking, not-for-profit association in France.

The development recognizes the importance of the French market in GBTA’s plans to continue to develop across Europe. The association will be the first owned chapter for GBTA in the region and will create a new network of travel buyers and suppliers in France and develop a wider Francophone network which GBTA first launched last year to engage other French speaking professionals, specifically Canadians and Africans, in the GBTA network.

Plans are already in place for the provision of French educational forums, benchmarking groups and industry affairs engagement with the first board meeting scheduled in the next two weeks to formalize plans for 2012. Members of GBTA France will also receive access to the full suite of GBTA services provided globally.

The association will see its founders commence on the GBTA France board.
- Mr. Yann Le Goff, Sourcing Director – Indirect Materials Operations & Services for Sidel Group, will assume the post of President of the association for an initial two year term. Mr. Le Goff was awarded the Luoma Award for services to the European business travel industry by GBTA at its annual conference in the Netherlands in September last year.
- Mr. Jean Pierre Drioux, Travel Manager at AXA, will act as General Secretary
- Mr. Paul Tilstone, GBTA Chief Global Development Officer and European Managing Director will act as Treasurer.

GBTA France’s new President, Yann Le Goff, said, "We are so delighted that GBTA has committed to plans to create a leading association in this region. There is a real need for substantial education, benchmarking and training for France’s travel buyers and suppliers and I look forward to serving the industry."