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The GBTA Ladders season culminates at the three-day Summit, bringing together all program pillars: professional development, global networking across verticals, and innovative presentations on the season theme. The goal of Summit is to inspire current and next generation business travel leaders and to drive industry change.

Attend Summit to experience the full value of the Ladders program.

Attendees will benefit from:

  • An environment that encourages collaboration between current industry leaders and rising top talent
  • Project presentations that showcase the transformative ideas and concepts generated from the Ladders teams
  • Content aimed to accelerate personal, professional, and industry development
  • Strengthened connections between individuals on Ladders teams
  • Boosted access and exposure to industry leaders 

Participants include:

  • GBTA Ladders Season 9 participants – Mentors, Mentees, Alumni Advisors, Committee volunteers, and Advisory Board members
  • GBTA Ladders alumni
  • GBTA representatives
  • Keynote speaker and expert guests from outside the program

Please note – this event is by invitation only

Agenda*

Season 9 Theme: Get inspired: Looking beyond travel to drive change
Featuring subject matter experts Barbara Rose, EY Americas Travel Lead and GBTA Direct Board Member; and Kessie Bratko, Business Transformation Consultant

The travel industry is no stranger to change, but true transformation is elusive. Elusive, though not impossible. Amazon revolutionized the retail landscape. SpaceX re-imagined space exploration. And social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok shape how people educate themselves, think and communicate around the world. How do they do it? What lessons, processes and inspiration can we take from industries outside of travel? How can we think beyond our typical environment to find new paths forward?

Additionally, there will be sessions focused on hot industry topics and professional growth. Attendees will walk away from Summit with takeaways that can be applied directly to their personal and professional lives. 

While we look to nurture our industry, let’s not forget the personal responsibility we have to nurture our communities. The last day of Summit will focus on a community service event where Ladders participants will give back to those who are underserved.

Agenda subject to change.

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Registration

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

General Session

5:45 PM – 7:00 PM

Welcome Reception

8:45 AM – 12:00 PM

General Session

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

General Session

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Alumni/Mentor Mixer

7:00 PM

Small Group Dinners

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (subject to change)

Give Back Event

Location

The GBTA Ladders Summit 2023 is hosted by The Westin New Orleans
100 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130

A room block has been secured for the duration of the summit.  Room accommodations can be secured through the reservation link or by calling the Reservations Department (504) 566-7006. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group, GBTA Ladders Summit, at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate.

The reservation cut-off date is FRIDAY, APRIL 28th. Reservation requests received after this deadline date will be subject to availability and the prevailing rate. 

Room Rates:
Single/Double, City View: $156 (plus applicable taxes)
The group rate will be available from 5/22 – 5/25. The group rate will also be available 2 days pre and post event, based on availability.
Hotel room, tax, incidentals, airfare and other expenses are the responsibility of the attendee.
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM

Room Cancellation Policy
Room cancellations can be made no less than 72 hours prior to arrival without penalty.

As you plan your travel, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have graciously provided discount codes for airfare to and from Summit, exclusive to Ladders members. Very special thanks to our Ladders members at United and Delta for their support!

Delta Air Lines:
Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code: NM2KY. *Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

United Airlines:
To make flight reservations online please click on discount code ZN9T872396. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code. You may also call United Meetings Reservation Desk Monday – Friday at (800) 426-1122 for booking assistance. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations. International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.

Registration

This event is by invitation only.

Registration is complimentary* to GBTA Ladders Participants.

If you need assistance in making the business case for attendance to your employers, we have created this document detailing the benefits of Ladders Summit for your use.

*You must be a member of GBTA in good standing to attend Summit.  If you need to renew your membership, please click here.

If you are not a current or past season Ladders Participant but are interested in attending Summit, please reach out to [email protected]

register now


Thank you to our generous sponsors

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Interested in becoming a sponsor?

Showcase your company as a passionate leader who invests in the future of the travel industry. Summit attendees are buyers and suppliers who are both veterans and rising stars alike. To download the Sponsorship Brochure, click here.