Corporate travel managers and travel suppliers expect the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) 36th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Orlando…
Corporate travel managers and travel suppliers expect the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) 36th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, August 1-4, to be the premier business travel industry event of the year. This year’s Convention will include more than 50 educational sessions, presentations from more than 15 high-level executives, a Technology Pavilion featuring demonstrations from leading travel technology vendors and the largest number of trade show exhibitors in NBTA history.
“The NBTA Convention and Trade Show consistently provides unparalleled networking and educational opportunities for travel managers,” said Carol A. Devine, CCTE, NBTA president and CEO. “And 2004 is shaping up to be one of the best Conventions in NBTA history.”
Attendees can choose from more than 50 educational seminar sessions divided into tracks such as Executive Edge, Going Global, Business Strategy & Negotiation, Industry Dialogue, Technology Tools and Meetings Management. For professionals new to business travel, NBTA is offering a workshop on the Fundamentals of Travel Management.
“WorldTravel BTI is sponsoring an educational track at the NBTA Convention and Trade Show because we are committed to the success of the industry and we value the opportunity to promote educational growth for its members,” said Dee Runyan, executive vice president of WorldTravel BTI. “With the increasingly important role of new technologies in travel management, we chose to sponsor the Technology Tools seminar track and we look forward to insightful and provocative sessions.”
NBTA members pursuing the industry certification of Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE) can choose from three pre-Convention CCTE electives, and more than 50 travel managers are scheduled to complete the certification program in Orlando. Those already holding CCTE certification can take advantage of the opportunity to fulfill the annual elective requirement by taking part in the Global Leadership Program – the masters-level executive education program offered by NBTA’s foundation, the Institute of Business Travel Management (IBTM), in conjunction with the Wharton School.
The CEO Exchange, open to all NBTA Convention attendees, is an exchange of ideas on the travel industry moderated by Chris McGinnis, Travel Correspondent for CNN Headline News, and featuring Jeffrey Katz, Chairman, President and CEO of Orbitz; Larry Kellner, President and CEO of Continental Airlines; and Robin Schleien, President, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, North America. Additionally, fourteen top-level executives from travel companies and organizations will present in educational seminars.
“During the annual convention, and throughout the year, NBTA provides travel managers industry-leading education to keep them ahead of the constant change in our industry,” said Robin Schleien, president, Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) North America. Schleien explained CWT’s sponsorship of the Going Global education track again this year, plus a general breakfast session and other components of the conference, reflects CWT’s commitment to “the best opportunities for travel managers to learn about the products and services, best practices, technological innovations and business methods that enable them to do their jobs well.”
The National Business Travel Association is the source for critical information on the business travel industry. For more than 35 years, NBTA has dedicated itself to the professional development of its members through advocacy, education and training, and networking opportunities. NBTA represents over 2,500 corporate travel managers and travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than $170 billion of expenditures within the business travel industry.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
