GBTA offers many exciting professional development, networking, and volunteer opportunities before the official start of Convention. Don’t miss this chance to earn a certification, meet industry peers, play a round of golf, or give back to the community!

Sign up today for these sessions as you register for the Convention. Separate registration and cancellation fees may apply. 

GBTA Foundation 

Saturday, August 20

Sunday, August 21

CCTE Elective A - Bringing Balance to Your Life  Sunday, August 21 - 8:30am - 4:00pm Sponsored by HRG   Instructor: Richard Flint, CSP   You either control your stress or it rules your life.  Richard shares the secrets necessary to stop the destructive journey of stress through your life and learn the keys to turning those negative stressful moments into positive insights and achievement.   Learning outcomes: Address the top 7 issues that create stress Implement the critical steps to balancing personal, business, social and family areas of your life Establish a fail-safe method to stop repeating the same negative behaviors This workshop qualifies for CCTE Elective Credit. Read about the CCTE Program Advance registration is required. Members: $250 Non-members: $350 See Pre-Convention/Event Cancellation policy

CCTE / SMMC Elective B -  Successful Supplier Tactics for SMM /  Real Life SMMP: Lessons Learned from the Trenches Sunday, August 21 - 8:30am - 4:00pm Sponsored by StarCite    Successful Supplier Tactics for SMM (Morning Session - must attend full day for elective credit) Instructor: Betsy Bondurant, Bondurant Consulting   Preferred supplier relationships are a key component of the Strategic Meetings Management program. In this session, we will take a deep dive into best in class techniques for preferred supplier programs and supplier relationship management (SRM), as well as measurement tools such as Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR). Strategies on these topics will be discussed from both the supplier and planner perspective.  This interactive session will consist of lecture, group discussion, and individual and table activities.   Understand how you can maximize the inter-relationships between suppliers and buyers in the meeting and event category Ability to demonstrate how supplier relationship programs can impact cost savings and increase efficiencies. Identification  of key components of Service Level Agreements (SLA) Development of the components  of Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR)     Real Life SMMP: Lessons Learned from the Trenches (Afternoon Session - must attend full day for elective credit) Instructor: Lisa Palmeri, Cvent   In this session, a panel of industry experts will look back at the obstacles they faced in building an SMMP and the implementation challenges they’ve encountered along the way. They will also share tips and insight into what they found works best now that they are seeing SMMP success.  Topics to be covered include strategies for successful implementation, driving high adoption and compliance, data analysis and program refinement.   Examine the SMMP missteps of industry leaders and determine how to avoid them. Create a list of specific best practices that are “must haves” for a successful SMMP at your organization. Prepare for the next phase of your SMMP using the past experience of experts.   This workshop qualifies for CCTE/SMMC Elective Credits. Read about the CCTE Program Advance registration is required for the full day. Members: $250 Non-members: $350 See Pre-Convention/Event Cancellation policy

Travel Procurement Workshop Sunday, August 21 - 8:30am - 4:00pm   Sponsored by ADTRAV Travel Management This two-part workshop is designed to explore how procurement and travel managers can understand each other’s needs and communicate effectively for mutual success. The first half of the session will focus on understanding procurement’s role in managed travel – de-mystifying procurements goals and stereotypes, putting the travel category in context for strategic sourcing and strategic selling. The second half will focus on communication and conveying the value of your knowledge to the C-suite – creating shared success and cohesive outcomes where all involved are satisfied. Advance registration is required.   Members: $250 Non-members: $350 See Pre-Convention / Event Cancellation policy

Travel Policy Trends Workshop: The Emergence of Ancillary Policies – Buyers Only Sunday, August 21 - 1:30pm -3:30pm Sponsored by Egencia   The world of travel management has been turned on its head by a cornucopia of new ancillary products and services instituted by airlines and hotels. How are travel managers changing their policies to address these new fees? Building on research begun in 2010, this session is based on new research conducted by the GBTA Foundation and Egencia in 2011. This session reveals how travel policy is changing around the world, including North America, Europe and Asia. Advance registration is required.  There is no additional charge for this session.

First Time Attendee Orientation Session and Luncheon - First time attendees only Sponsored by Dav El Sunday, August 21 - 11:30am - 1:00pm A special session for first-time attendees to maximize your Convention ROI. Meet other new attendees, preview Convention activities and enjoy hearing from Erik Wahl, groundbreaking artist and communicator, who challenges organizations to transcend mediocrity through creativity and originality. Drawing upon his experiences and understanding as an artist, Wahl passionately leads individuals to innovation and ingenuity. After much success in the corporate environment, he founded The Wahl Group, a consulting firm specifically designed to help organizations achieve extraordinary results with breakthrough thinking. Wahl's special blend of warmth, humor and experience engages audiences and assists them in identifying their unchallenged roadblocks to success. He is passionately committed to helping businesses explore new levels of vision and performance through creativity. Wahl will discuss and show you that your best sustainable edge in business is your ability to visibly differentiate yourself from your competition. Wahl will uncover new ways to make your organization more creative and ultimately more profitable. It is no longer enough to have good customer service and a good product. The truly great companies have altered the landscape to create a unique experience for the customer. Whether its sales, service or leadership principles, professionals at all levels can achieve superior performance by creatively differentiating themselves from the competition. This event is limited to first time attendees only, and a GBTA member and veteran convention attendee will serve as your table host to explain Convention activities as well as to answer your questions. There is no additional charge for this session. There are no penalties for cancellation.

Tuesday, August 23

Pre-Convention / Event Cancellation Policy

*This applies to all pre-Convention events unless otherwise noted.

ALL cancellations must be in writing to the GBTA. Registrants who cancel prior to July 22, 2011 will receive a refund less a $75 administrative fee. No refunds are given after July 22, 2011.

Please send all requests to:

GBTA Convention 2011 Registration and Housing Center
11208 Waples Mill Road, Suite 112 | Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 800-934-1957 (Inside the U.S.) | +1-703-449-6418 (Outside the U.S.)
Fax: 703-631-1167
E-mail: gbtaregistration@jspargo.com