The world’s largest business travel association has pushed back its annual convention to late fall.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) decided to change the dates to Nov. 17-19, after taking into consideration feedback from members, exhibitors and sponsors, and in recognition of the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global travel sector.
It will still take place in Orlando, Fla.
“This shift allows us to better accommodate all our members, especially those travelling from outside the U.S., and to send the important message that global business travel can be accomplished safely, as vaccination programs gather momentum and as COVID-19 testing becomes easier and less costly,” says GBTA CEO, Suzanne Neufang.
The 2021 convention will provide attendees first-hand experience on how to travel post-COVID that they can bring back to their respective organizations, plus insights around the future of work and what travel and mobility will encompass coming out of the pandemic. Programming will include new and different ways to learn together and opportunities to share best practices, educate and be educated, cultivate new opportunities, and solve looming challenges to help the industry recover and rebound.
“Ensuring this year’s convention — our first large-scale meeting since 2019 — is a valuable experience for all attendees is a top priority, and we are ‘upping our game’ to provide practical and strategic tools to help attendees get business done in the new, post-pandemic normal,” says Neufang.
With the change in convention date, a special virtual event is being planned for July 20. It is expected to include a mid-year association update and business meeting, valuable education sessions and the announcement of the election results of the new board members.
