GBTA USA Chapter Task Force Delivers Recommendations and Plan for Future Growth

Recommendations Well Received At Salt Lake City Meeting

Alexandria, VA, 2013-05-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, is proud to announce the completion of a critical next step forward with the delivery of Chapter Task Force recommendations to grow membership in the chapter system across the United States.

In April 2012, the GBTA Board of Directors created the Chapter Task Force, an independent, cross-functional group of experts representing the needs of all local and global stakeholders. This task force embodies a diverse set of local chapter and GBTA members who bring perspectives from a variety of different industries and all levels of corporate management. The Task Force was led by GBTA Board Directors Donna Kelliher of Dominion and Doug Payne of ALTOUR. Their objective has been to review the needs of the local chapters and the association overall and create an optimal path forward for the USA Chapters.

During the March GBTA Board of Directors meeting held in New York City, the co-chairs presented the recommendations and the board unanimously approved the plan.

Last week, the Chapter Task Force Co-Chairs and leadership from the USA chapters gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, to discuss the task force’s recommendations. The discussions were very productive and leadership worked together in teams to develop the next steps and refinements to the overall plan.

The following is a summary of the key points discussed at the meeting:

• The approach is fiscally equitable and clarifies expectations and establishes accountability for all parties. It is based upon a sustainable game plan that recognizes the value created by all involved
• All components of the plan are “opt-in” for the USA chapters, who are currently under an affiliation agreement, originally developed in 1993 and executed by all current USA chapters
• Each entity can stay under the current affiliation arrangement, or move to an upgraded chapter charter agreement which will include participation in the GBTA Chapter Technology Initiative as well as the opportunity to participate in future co-operatively planned initiatives

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. This meeting was an important next step in the process of building for the future success of the USA Chapters. As always, it showcased the power of the volunteer leadership within GBTA. We have a bright future ahead together,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA’s executive director and COO.