Leading Corporate Travel Event Poised to Break Records for Buyer and Total Attendance
Caleb Tiller , +1 703-684-0836, ext. 138
Boston, MA and Alexandria, VA (June 25, 2007) – The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today that more than 1,225 travel managers have already registered for the 2007 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, and total number of registrants to date is over 4,300. The number of buyer registrants surpassed 1,000 earlier this year than any year in the event’s history. The 2007 NBTA Convention, to be held in Boston, July 22-25, is expected to draw nearly 6,000 business travel professionals from 30 countries, making it the largest to date. Attendees will include more than 1,300 buyers representing companies and government agencies, and representatives of 425 exhibiting supplier companies.
“The NBTA International Convention & Exposition grows nearly every year because the opportunities offered are the best the industry has to offer,” said Suzanne Fletcher, NBTA President & CEO. “Put simply, the NBTA Convention gives corporate travel professionals the most opportunities for education and professional development, the most face-to-face networking time, and the largest trade show available in the industry.”
She added, “From a personal perspective, I know I leave the NBTA Convention every year with new knowledge, as well as new and stronger relationships that help me better manage my company’s travel program. And I can’t tell you how many other people have said they have the same experience. I really can’t wait for the show to start.”
Following are a few highlights of the NBTA Convention:
Education – More than 40 education sessions will provide attendees with information on the latest trends, programs and options for business travel management, enabling participants to can go back to their jobs and maximize travel value for their companies.
Pre-Convention Professional Development – NBTA and its foundation offer three professional development programs, each of which gives participants a chance to earn a professional designation, and all of which are available in pre-convention sessions:
- Fundamentals of Business Travel Management/CTE
- Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE)
- Global Leadership Program (GLP)
Networking – Corporate travel buyers and suppliers establish and enhance relationships with each other, so each can drive maximum value:
- 95 percent of travel manager attendees at last year’s NBTA Convention reported that the exposition helped accomplish their companies' travel buying objectives
- 87 percent of exhibitors report reaching new travel managers, with the majority saying they generated at least 20 good leads, some as many as 120+ good leads
- 96 percent of exhibitors say they reinforce existing relationships with travel manager customers
World-class speakers – Attendees will have opportunities to hear from a world leader, leaders of industry, and a leading historian and author. Keynote speakers will include:
- General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Former U.S. Secretary of State
- Gordon Bethune, Chair of Aloha Airgroup & Former CEO of Continental Airlines
- Bob Crandall, Former President & Chair of American Airlines
- Peter Greenberg, Emmy Award Winning Travel Journalist and Travel Editor of NBC’s Today Show
- Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author & Presidential Historian
Industry News – With the largest corporate travel audience in the world, NBTA and its exhibitors use the NBTA Convention as an opportunity to launch the latest products, services and enhancements, designed to benefit travel management professionals, their companies and individual business travelers.
Individuals interested in attending the 2007 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, July 22-25 in Boston should visit www.nbtaconvention.org for more information and registration. Complimentary media registration is available for working members of the press – contact pr@nbta.org for details.
About NBTA Annual International Convention & Exposition
The NBTA International Convention & Exposition, now entering its 39th year, will be hosted July 22-25 in Boston. The event is expected to attract nearly 6,000 travel professionals, including more than 1,300 corporate travel buyers and representatives from more than 425 exhibiting suppliers. With a tradeshow spanning nearly 110,000 square feet of the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and more than 40 cutting-edge education sessions, the NBTA Convention is widely recognized as the must attend event for travel buyers, suppliers, industry leaders and business travel journalists. Details can be found at www.nbtaconvention.org.
About NBTA
The National Business Travel Association is the source for critical information on the business travel industry. For nearly 40 years, NBTA has dedicated itself to the professional development of its members through advocacy, education and training, and networking opportunities. NBTA represents over 2,700 corporate and government travel managers and travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than $170 billion of expenditures within the business travel industry. For more on NBTA, visit www.nbta.org.
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