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Posted Aug 17, 2010
I attended the NBTA Convention in Houston last week. Frankly I have been to so many NBTA conventions, I have lost count (this was probably my 22nd or 23rd convention). What was shocking to me was how there was so little change in the content of the program from those I attended back in the early 1990s. Sessions on travel policy, expense management, globalization, vendor negotiations and meetings management represented the bulk of the content. There were a few progressive sessions on the social Web and mobile apps (the session I spoke at), but in general the lack of innovation and progressive thought was quite evident. Why is the corporate travel industry so stagnant? What does this mean to the state of corporate travel technology? It is my belief that a major culprit is turnover.
Posted Aug 13, 2010
Jonas and I have a tradition every year at the National Business Travel Association convention of getting registered a few hours ahead of our networking responsibilities to leave enough time for recycling. All that crap. You know, in the bag. Then, we ask, what's that bag for? Anyway, this year NBTA deserves praise for not only cutting down on all the crap but also for giving us an app.
Posted Aug 3, 2010
We hardly cover awards, aside from our own of course, but in June I issued my " off-the-cuff opinions of only a semi-frequent traveler" regarding stuff that real frequent travelers are more qualified to assess: the nominees for the National Business Travel Association's first-ever Business Traveler Innovation Awards, in conjunction with the Wall Street Journal. The results are in. Let's see how I did ...
Posted Aug 24, 2009
The National Business Travel Association's Technology Committee had some fun today spicing up the otherwise dry topic of request for proposals templates for corporate online booking with a live " Family Feud" game show. Based on a survey of 100 travel managers, the panelists dinged and buzzed the crowd to online booking enlightenment.
Posted Aug 5, 2009
Over the last few weeks much has been said and written about a merger of ACTE and NBTA and the potential benefits this would bring the global travel industry. It has been interesting to see how throughout the letters and articles, the strengths of the different associations have been outlined. Specifically it has been stated (even by NBTA officials themselves) that ACTE clearly has a stronger program and presence outside the US and a lead when it comes to educating the industry.
Posted Jun 29, 2009
Continental Airlines has joined BCD Travel in urging ACTE and NBTA to reconsider a merger. Here's the Continental letter to the boards of the associations, in its entirety:
Posted Jun 3, 2009
Regarding today's article in The Beat, there's been lots of talk over the years about a merger; in fact several years ago I wrote an Op-Ed to the effect that "The two associations should find ways to collaborate instead of compete." Some people took that the wrong way and thought I meant merge; which was not what I meant.
Posted Apr 8, 2009
[UPDATE: Jay Leno will replace Richard Branson.]
Twelve-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres isn't the biggest superstar scheduled to speak at this summer's National Business Travel Association convention in San Diego. Brought to you by Sabre, Torres will join the separately sponsored founder of Virgin, Richard Branson, and President Bill Clinton on a speaker roster that also includes the CEOs of Continental and Southwest airlines. An NBTA official declined to address the financial power required to attract such firepower, indicating in an email that "We don't disclose sponsorship, advertisement or exhibitor agreements." To be sponsored this summer by Amadeus, Clinton regularly levies six-figure speaking fees. A spokesperson for billionaire Branson said his fee, which is covered by Orbitz For Business, would be donated to Virgin Unite.
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