GBTA Canada Business Travel Forums

The GBTA Canada Business Travel Forums are a thoughtfully designed one-and-a-half-day education and networking program replicated in two Canadian cities, Calgary and Toronto. The program is strategically structured to deliver invaluable knowledge, profound insights, and cutting-edge education to an industry grappling with escalating costs, supply chain uncertainties, and multifaceted disruptions.

In addition to the invaluable educational content, we curate intimate networking opportunities, providing ample time over both days for meaningful buyer interaction within the Supplier Showcase. By participating in these enriching workshops, our esteemed sponsors gain an essential platform to highlight their commitment to evolving in tandem with the ever-changing landscape of travel programs and traveller expectations.

Sponsoring the Business Travel Forum unequivocally underscores our travel suppliers’ dedication to advancing the Canadian Business Travel Industry and fortifying the development of robust Corporate Travel Programs. Join us in driving the growth of the Canadian business travel sector while forging lasting connections and staying at the forefront of industry innovation.

Attend Calgary
Attend Toronto
Registration PricingBuyer Member/NonmemberSupplier Member/Nonmember
GBTA Canada Business Travel Forums$0-Complimentary$300*
*Suppliers will be placed on a waitlist, to be approved on space and availability

Ready to Sponsor?

Click here to view the Sponsor Prospectus

Ready to sponsor or need expert advice on which opportunity is best for your organization? Fill out the form below and a member of our Sponsorship team will reach out to you shortly. 

Agenda

Both events will feature the same agenda.

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Registration

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Direct Talk Buyer Only Lunch


Join your fellow buyers for a lively discussion on the latest hot topics including:
• Sourcing Non-Traditional Solutions
• 2024 Budgeting & Cost Management
• Proposed changes to Canada’s Airline Passenger Rights Regulations

Facilitated By:
Bertie Fernandes, Corporate Travel Manager, Ledcor Group of Companies
Elizabeth Oliveira, Global Travel Manager, OMERS

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Break

2:00 PM – 2:10 PM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • GBTA Welcome
  • Host Hotel Welcome

With:
Sharlene Ketwaroo-Nanoo, Regional Director, GBTA Canada

2:10 PM – 2:45 PM

Session #1 – Gaining Value from Your Internal Stakeholder Relationships

Internal collaboration has always been required for a successful travel program; however, those interactions can become transactional when competing priorities strain capacity.

This session will provide practical takeaways for turning transactional interactions into strategic relationships that will benefit the program and your travellers.

Session Speaker:
Sue Spear, GBTA Canada Regional Chair,
Manager Corporate Travel & Fleet, Cengage

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM

Supplier Spotlight

The Spotlight will be on our participating sponsor suppliers as they share a brief highlight important for Canadian business travel.

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM

Session #2 – Collaborative Supplier Relationships – Beyond Contract Management

Supplier / Buyer relationships can be complex, especially if procurement is a separate function from the travel manager. This session will provide strategies on identifying which suppliers are strategic within your program and how to collaborate with both procurement and the supplier to ensure that your relationship is more than just contract negotiation.

Session Speakers:
Elizabeth Yohan, Global Travel Manager, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Toronto)
Jeff Reyes, Key Account Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts (Calgary)
Julie Van Noten, Global Account Executive, Marriott International (Toronto)

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Networking Reception in Supplier Showcase

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:45 PM

Opening Remarks

Session #3 – Risky Business

How are you addressing risk when it comes to blended travel, or non-employee travel? From sales incentive trips to customer events to bleisure – nothing is simple anymore! Risk can be overlooked for non-employees as they typically are booked outside your company channels. Additionally, the rise in blended travel requests from employees raises many questions of liability and responsibly to safety when the trip turn to leisure. Add in prolonged overlapping wildfire and hurricane seasons and increased political instability…

This interactive session will help travel managers and their organizations understand the risks, develop policies, and plan how to respond in a crisis. We will look at the impact related to liability, safety, compliance, reputation.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM

Supplier Spotlight

The Spotlight will be on our participating sponsor suppliers as they share a brief highlight important for Canadian business travel.

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Coffee Break & Supplier Showcase

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Session #4 – Stakeholder Communication – Using Data to Craft the Story

Varying degrees of communication are required to ensure that travel program messaging is appropriately disseminated. Whether it be executive summary reporting to the C-level or detailed messaging to individual travellers or external communications to suppliers, each requires a different approach. In this session, learn how to use data to craft the appropriate story for your intended audience so that your intended message is clear and concise.

Session Speakers:
Jodi Francks, Director, Business Travel, Fairmont Hotels
Anston Mendes, Director of Sales & Marketing, Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown (Toronto)
Stephanie Snowball, Director of Global Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

Session #5 – Supporting an Accessible Travel Experience

Accessible travel is complicated and often goes unaddressed in corporate travel programs. While buyers may feel their partner providers have accounted for the right level of accommodation, that may not in fact be the case. This session will explore the importance of accessible travel programs and how you can work with your internal and external stakeholders to provide the best possible experience for travellers that require accessibility support.

Joining via recorded video:
Stephanie Cadieux, Chief Accessibility Officer of Canada

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch & Supplier Showcase

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

Session #6 – Disruption & Change Management in Technology

Changing traveller demographics are pushing for technological advancements to the traditional travel program. Whether it’s instant access to every possible content option or more self-serve options for every element of the travel journey, the new traveller expects more, in less time. This session will explore how technology continues to disrupt the traditional travel program and how you can manage the change needed to serve your travellers experience.

Session Speakers:
Lana Day, Key Account Manager, WestJet Airlines
Karli Kincaid, Senior Sales Account Executive Global Sales, Delta Airlines (Calgary)

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Wrap-Up & Prize Drawing

GBTA Business Travel Forums | Calgary

Buyer Registration
Supplier Registration

Event Details

The GBTA Canada Business Travel Forum in Calgary will be on November 8-9, hosted by the
Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
1316 33 Street NE
Calgary, AB T2A 6B6

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Room Block

A room block has been secured for the duration of the summit. Room accommodations can be secured through the reservation link. Cancellation of Individual Reservations made up to forty-eight (48) hours prior to arrival will be accepted with no penalties. The reservation cut-off date is October 24th. Reservation requests received after this deadline date will be subject to availability and the prevailing rate. 

Room Rates: $139 per night (plus applicable taxes)
The group rate will be available until 10/24.
Hotel room, tax, incidentals, airfare and other expenses are the responsibility of the attendee.
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Registration PricingBuyer Member/NonmemberSupplier Member/Nonmember
GBTA Business Travel Forums | Calgary
November 8 – 9		$0-Complimentary$300*
*Suppliers will be placed on a waitlist, to be approved on space and availability

GBTA Business Travel Forums | Toronto

Buyer Registration
SUPPLIER Registration

Event Details

The GBTA Canada Business Travel Forum in Toronto will be on November 13-14, hosted by the
Park Hyatt Toronto
4 Avenue Rd
Toronto, ON M5R 2E8

parktoronto

Room Block

A room block has been secured for the duration of the summit. Room accommodations can be secured through the reservation link. Guests may cancel by 11:59pm EST the day before arrival without cancellation fees. The reservation cut-off date is October 26th. Guests may follow these steps to confirm their registration:

  • Upon clicking the link, guests will be directed to the group booking page.
  • The dates are pre-selected and guests may simply click “FIND ROOMS”
  • From there, guests should select: King Deluxe Room.
  • Finally, guests may enter their credentials (name, e-mail, payment information, etc.) and click “BOOK MY STAY”

Room Rates: $450 per night (for King Deluxe Room, plus applicable taxes)
The group rate will be available until 10/26.
Hotel room, tax, incidentals, airfare and other expenses are the responsibility of the attendee.
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM

Registration PricingBuyer Member/NonmemberSupplier Member/Nonmember
GBTA Business Travel Forums | Toronto
November 13 – 14		$0 – Complimentary$300*
*Suppliers will be placed on a waitlist, to be approved on space and availability

Venue and Hotel:
Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
1316 33 Street NE
Calgary, AB T2A 6B6

Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Complimentary Onsite Parking Available for Attendees

Registration Hours:
Wednesday, November 8, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday, November 9, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: Conference Centre

Dress Code:
Business casual attire is acceptable for the entirety of the event.

Airport Transportation:
Transportation to and from the hotel will be the responsibility of the registrant. 
The hotel is located approx. 20-minute drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC) with airport shuttle available (contact the hotel directly to reserve).

Agenda:
Click here for the most recent agenda

Location of Events:
The Forum will take place in Plaza 2 – 5 in the hotels Conference Centre.
Please use the Conference Centre Entrance to access the event.

Venue and Hotel:
Park Hyatt Toronto
4 Avenue Rd
Toronto, ON M5R 2E8

Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM

Valet Parking Available:
$35 maximum event day rate
$70 overnight guest
Offsite Parking Options

Transit Stations:
St. George Station on Line 2 (Bloor – Danforth)
Bay Street Station on Line 2 (Bloor – Danforth)
Museum Station on Line 1 (Yonge-University)

Registration Hours:
Monday, November 13, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday, November 14, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: 3rd Floor – Park Hyatt Ballroom Foyer

Dress Code:
Business casual attire is acceptable for the entirety of the event.

Airport Transportation:
Transportation to and from the hotel will be the responsibility of the registrant. 
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is 19 miles (31km) from the hotel. 
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is four miles (5.5km) from the hotel.

Agenda:
Click here for the most recent agenda

Location of Events:
The Forum will take place on the 3rd Floor in the Park Hyatt Ballroom

Feature

Calgary

Host Hotel