GBTA Sustainability Summit: Building a Greener Future for Business Travel

GBTA will be hosting its second global Sustainability Summit on building a greener future for business travel on June 13 in Washington, DC. This one-day, high-level event, will bring together experts, industry and policy leaders to outline concrete solutions to manage the environmental impact of business travel.

It will address key topics that require radical industry collaboration, such as the development of clean travel solutions, sharing of information and data, and empowerment of business travelers to select greener travel options. 

This must-attend, interactive event will foster connections and exchange by providing a forum for frank discussions about challenges and opportunities to drive climate action in the business travel sector. The Sustainability Summit will also inform discussions at the GBTA Legislative Summit in the two days to follow, where attendees will advocate for policies that help finance and accelerate the green transition. 

Who should attend? 

  • Corporate travel buyers working to integrate sustainability into their program  
  • Suppliers providing sustainable solutions for corporate travel programs  
  • Policymakers laying the groundwork for a sustainable travel ecosystem  
  • Civil society advocating for the next generation of sustainability solutions 

Taking place at:

The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center
1400 M St NW,
Washington, DC 20005

register now
YouTube video

This event builds upon GBTA’s inaugural Sustainability Summit, held in Brussels in November 2022. See event speakers, photos, and key takeaways here. 

Agenda*

*subject to change

8:30am – 9:30am 

Sustainability Showcase and Networking Breakfast

9:30am – 9:40am

Welcome address   

Suzanne Neufang, CEO GBTA

9:45am – 10:00am

Opening Fireside Chat: U.S. Blueprint to Decarbonize Travel

The availability of more sustainable and efficient travel options is constantly growing. But how can governments enable this shift and accelerate the transition, as we race toward net zero goals? In this fireside chat, a representative from the Biden Administration will present the U.S. strategy to decarbonize transportation, including what the federal government is doing to incentivize SAF uptake, invest in clean and renewable energy, and harmonize reporting requirements. 

Interviewer: Delphine Millot, SVP Sustainability and Advocacy, MD GBTA Foundation for GBTA

10:05am – 10:40am

Industry Leaders: En Route to Net Zero  

What role can business play in leading the transformation?  

The role businesses play in leading the Net Zero transformation is critical. The private sector is pioneering the green transition by setting ambitious targets and implementing measures to transform their business models, champion climate action and reduce their carbon footprint. Private sector leaders will discuss how they are integrating ESG at the core of their business strategy and supporting the transition to sustainable travel. 

Moderator: Elizabeth West, Editorial Director, The BTN Group

10:42am – 10:57am   

Case Study 1: Building a Sustainable Travel Program – How to Get Started 

The role businesses play in leading the Net Zero transformation is critical. The private sector is pioneering the green transition by setting ambitious targets and implementing measures to transform their business models, champion climate action and reduce their carbon footprint. Private sector leaders will discuss how they are integrating ESG at the core of their business strategy and supporting the transition to sustainable travel. 

Presenter: Darragh Ormsby, Head of Google Procurement – Travel and Events, Google

11:00am – 11:30am

Sustainability Showcase and Networking Coffee Break  

11:35am – 12:05am

Decarbonizing Air Travel: From SAF to zero Emissions Technologies

The aviation industry is responsible for a significant share of business travel emissions and is a hard to abate sector. In this panel discussion, we will explore the latest developments in SAF and zero-emissions technologies, their potential to decarbonize air travel, and the role the corporate travel can play in supporting and accelerating the transition. 

Moderator: Nancy Young, Sustainability and Environmental Consultant  

12:10am – 12:35pm  

Beyond Air:The Potential for Modal Shift

Modal shift has a huge potential to reduce the overall impact of travel emissions. This panel of international experts and industry representatives will explore the opportunities and challenges related to rail and electromobility for business travel. 

Moderator: Andrea Giuricin, Chief Executive Officer, TRA Consulting

12:37pm – 12:52pm 

Case Study 2:  Tracking Your Programs’ Impact – Emissions Accounting and Reporting

As businesses strive to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the global effort to tackle climate change, it is crucial to measure and report emissions accurately. We’ll be exploring the best practices and challenges of emissions accounting and reporting, and the tools and frameworks available, and how it can help businesses to set and achieve their sustainability goals. 

Presenter: Brian Komar, Vice President, Global Sustainability Solutions, Salesforce

1:00pm – 2:00pm 

Sustainability Showcase and Lunch

2:00pm – 2:30pm

Activating the Point of Sale: How to Nudge Travelers Towards Greener Choices?

Educating, engaging and empowering business travelers to make smart and sustainable travel decision at the time of booking is a critical success factor. This panel will explore the role of the point of sale in promoting sustainable business travel and the potential of behavioral nudges to encourage greener choices. Our panelists will share their insights and experiences on the most effective ways to achieve behavioral change – and how technology can serve these goals.  

Moderator: Joel Fisher, VP Product, Travelport 

2:35pm – 3:10pm 

The Cost of Green: What’s the Premium and How to Finance the Transition?

More often than not, there are additional costs associated with efforts to reduce your business carbon footprint and adopt more sustainable practices. This panel will discuss this “green premium” and what’s needed to help finance the transition – including the role every actor can play to support the uptake of low carbon fuel and travel technologies. 

Moderator: Ryan Panchadsaram, Technical Advisor to the Chairman, John Doerr, Kleiner Perkins

3:15pm – 3:30pm

Case Study 3: Sustainable procurement as a lever to engage your suppliers

Supplier procurement can be a powerful lever to signal demand for greener options. This case study will provide concrete tips on how travel managers can request and weigh sustainability data as part of their procurement strategy, taking a deep dive into RFPs and RFIs, sustainability scorecards, and contracting mechanisms.

Presenter: Anne Haugland, Corporate Travel, Global Agreements Manager, Shell  

  

3:30pm – 4:00pm   

Sustainability Showcase and Networking Coffee Break  

4:02pm – 4:30pm  

Carbon Removals and Offsetting: Navigating the
Complexities

Carbon offsetting is often seen as a bridge to the future,  to compensate emissions that cannot be abated. There are equally many questions as to their effectiveness and role in the road to net zero. This panel will explore the different types of offsets available, and the challenges and opportunities of navigating this controversial space.

Moderator: Angela Foster Rice, General Counsel/SVP Policy & Market Innovation

4:35pm – 5:00pm

Regenerative Business Travel: Leaving a Net Positive Impact

Today, businesses are being asked to “leave the place better than they found it.” Regenerative practices that create positive outcomes for people and the planet are gaining momentum. This panel will explore questions such as “How can business travel be truly regenerative?”, and “What are the strategies for leaving a net positive impact on the environment and local communities?”, in the hope to spark interest and discussions for these emerging practices. 

Moderator: Kelsey Frankiel, Senior Manager, Sustainability, GBTA 

5:00pm – 5:05pm 

Closing Remarks

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Networking Cocktail Reception

Link to last year’s program here

Link to last year’s Summit Highlights here

Elizabeth (Beth) Caligiuri Sullivan
SVP, Business Operations Executive,
Bank of America

Mark Cuschieri
Vice President, GBTA;
Head of Global Travel Management, UBS

Wesley Espinosa
Interim Executive Director
Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)

Joel Fisher
Vice President, Product
Travelport

Angela Foster-Rice
General Counsel/SVP Policy & Market Innovation
Everland LLC

Kelsey Frankiel
Senior Manager, Sustainability, GBTA

Andrea Giuricin
CEO
TRA consulting

Jean Garris Hand
Vice President Global ESG, Hilton

Anne Haugland
Corporate Travel, Global Agreements Manager, Shell

Jason Hochman
Co-Founder & Senior Director, Direct Air Capture Coalition

Sam Israelit
Chief Sustainability Officer, Bain & Company

Brian Komar
Vice President Global Sustainability Solutions, Salesforce

Andy Kunz
President & CEO, US High Speed Rail Association

Tim Loonen
Head of Product & Partnerships
Travalyst

Shelby Luzzi
Convention Sales Coordinator
Destination DC   

Glenn Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA)

Nora Lovell Marchant
Vice President of Global Sustainability, AMEX GBTA

Alexander D Menotti
VP, Government Affairs, Policy, and Sustainability, LanzaJet

 

Curt McKee
Principal Solutions Consultant, SAP Concur

 

Delphine Millot
SVP Sustainability and Advocacy, MD GBTA Foundation for GBTA

Suzanne Neufang
CEO, GBTA

Sean Newsum
Managing Director, Environmental Affairs
Airlines for America (A4A)

Darragh Ormsby
Head of Google Procurement; Travel and Events, Google

Ryan Panchadsaram
Technical Advisor to the Chairman, John Doerr,
Kleiner Perkins

Carol “Annie” Petsonk
Assistant Secretary, Department of Transportation

Lauren Riley
Chief Sustainability Officer and Managing Director, Global Environmental Affairs at United Airlines

Dan Rutherford
Program Director
International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)

Agustin Silvani
SVP, Conservation Finance, Conservation International

Kevin Welsh
Executive Director, Environment & Energy
Federal Aviation Administration

Elizabeth West
Editorial Director, The BTN Group

Nancy N. Young
NN Young Sustainability and Environmental Strategies

Save by bundling your registration with the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit:

The Sustainability Summit will inform discussions at the GBTA Legislative Summit in the two days to follow, where attendees will advocate for policies that help finance and accelerate the green transition. Register to both events and save $100.

Need to convince your boss? Download this template on why you should attend the Sustainability Summit.

Registration Type: Sustainability Summit Only, June 13Open Until April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 through On-site
GBTA Members$275$350
Non-Members$350$450

Save on registration by signing up for both GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit (June 14-15) and Sustainability Summit (June 13).

Bundle Registration: Sustainability and Legislative Summit, 13-15 JuneOpen Until April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 through On-site
GBTA Members$450$600
Non-Members$600$800
Register now

Cancellation Policy

• All cancellation requests must be made in writing to GBTA at [email protected]

• Cancellations are accepted until May 19, 2022.

• A full refund less a $75 administrative fee will be given for cancellations.

• No refunds will be given after May 19, 2022.

• There are no refunds for “no shows.”

• Refunds will be credited back to the original credit card used for payment.

Substitution Policy

• A GBTA attendee may transfer his/her registration to another eligible party if he/she is unable to attend.

• All substitution requests must be made in writing to GBTA at [email protected] and handled on the backend of the registration system.

• The substitute is responsible for any and all financial arrangements between the original registrant and the substitute.

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Sponsorship opportunities

Platinum Sponsor  
(2 available) 
USD $ 20,000		Gold Sponsor 
(3 available) 
USD $ 12,500 		Exhibitor
USD $ 5,000 
New entrant*
Exhibitor              
USD $ 2,500 
Complimentary supplier registrations 5311
Complimentary buyer registrations (non-transferable) 8422
Logo recognition on Summit website and marketing collateral ✔✔✔✔
Branding at the venue✔✔✔✔
Sponsored address and video played on mainstage  2 mins address  and
60 sec video 		60 sec video 
Banner ad to run on GBTA.org website 3 months1 month
One Exhibit Tabletop  Space ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 
Live interview at the event, promoted on GBTA social  ✔ ✔ Recorded virtual interviewRecorded virtual interview
Attendee registration list with name, title, company, email address (GDPR compliant) ✔✔✔✔
One reserved table for sponsor and registered guests ✔✔

* New entrant price for companies smaller than 50 employees or NGOs (or 501c3) OR first-time exhibitor.

Brand awareness opportunities

USD $17,500 

  • Opportunity to address the audience at the start of the general session (up to 5 minutes, may be used as time for video, speech, or presentation) 
  • Two (2) complimentary event registrations 
  • Five (5) complimentary buyer registrations  
  • Logo recognition on event website communication, pre- and post-event 
  • Banner ad in the GBTA Daily News Brief (1 month) 
  • One reserved table for sponsor and registered guests 
  • Pre- and post-attendee registration list (GDPR compliant)

USD $8,000 

  • Sponsor to provide 300 lanyards 
  • Lanyard to be distributed to all delegates at the registration desk 
  • One (1) complimentary conference registration 
  • Logo recognition on GBTA Summit website 
  • Pre- and post-attendee registration list (GDPR compliant) 

USD $4,000 

  • Pop-up banner displayed in coffee area 
  • One (1) complimentary conference registration 
  • Logo recognition on GBTA Summit website 
  • Pre- and post-attendee registration list (GDPR compliant)

USD $12,500 

  • Opportunity to address attendees (speaking time: 2 minutes) 
  • Pop-up banner displayed in reception area 
  • Two (2) complimentary conference registration 
  • Logo recognition on GBTA Summit website 
  • Pre- and post-attendee registration list (GDPR compliant) 

Interested in learning more about sponsorship and exhibit opportunities at GBTA Sustainability Summit 2023? Please fill out the form below.

Thank you to our event sponsors

Platinum
Climate Action Partner
Partner
Featured
Tabletop

Sponsors and Company Descriptions

OrganizationWhat They Do 
CiriumCirium is the industry leader in aviation analytics; helping the aviation industry understand the past, present and predicting what will happen tomorrow in air travel. Cirium’s mission is to transform the industry by enabling airlines, airports, travel companies, tech giants, aircraft manufacturers, financial institutions and many, many more to accelerate their own digital transformation and help build a more efficient and sustainable future.
UberUber for Business brings the best of Uber to organizations around the globe with a seamless platform built to help them better support and engage those they employ and serve. With global scale, integrated solutions and exceptional service, Uber for Business empowers organizations to streamline business travel, reimagine employee wellbeing, and elevate the customer experience – all while enabling employees to effortlessly leverage the Uber they love and trust in their professional lives.

Hotel and Venue

A room block has been secured at The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center for the duration of the summit.  Room accommodations can be secured through the reservation link or by calling the Reservations Department at 202-429-1700. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group “GBTA Sustainability Summit “at the time the reservation is made to receive the special group rate.

The reservation cut off date is May 8th, 2023.

The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center
1400 M St NW,
Washington, DC 20005

Single/Double: $299 (plus applicable taxes)
Room rate includes- Workout Facility, Wi-Fi in all guestrooms, Discount on overnight valet parking
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 cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance of arrival.

Valet parking is $38 per night + Applicable tax.
Green transport options

Ways to be greener while attending the Summit

Do you want to help make Sustainability Summit greener? Commit to the following green actions as part of your experience:

  • Calculate and offset your travel emissions using the GBTA offsetting tool (in partnership with South Pole)
  • Walk or take public transport to and from all GBTA programming
  • Bring your own water bottle to all GBTA programming
  • Separate your waste thoughtfully and use the correct bins
  • Try an all-vegan or all-vegetarian meal during your trip to Washington, DC

Ways we are making our event greener

With the help of our suppliers, vendors, and partners, GBTA is on a journey to make Sustainability Summit 2023 as green as possible.

 2023 Sustainability Summit (Washington D.C.) – Climate Action Partner

GBTA is on a journey to make Sustainability Summit 2023 as green as possible and believes in the importance of taking responsibility for our carbon emissions. GBTA has partnered with South Pole to provide attendees with a convenient and effective way to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to the Summit. Explore various options to calculate and offset your carbon emissions here.

Join us in reducing our impact on the environment by offsetting your carbon emissions today!

2022 Sustainability Summit (Brussels)

In 2022, GBTA calculated the carbon emissions of the European Conference + Sustainability Summit in Brussels and used this calculation to offset venue emissions and staff travel. GBTA purchased 75 tons of CO2e, mainly from the Bhadla Solar project in India, which installs a 70 MW solar power facility to harness the area’s famous sunshine. This project, chosen by Sustainability Summit participants, will export clean and renewable energy to the Indian national grid.

You can learn more about our efforts to green European Conference + Sustainability Summit in 2022 here.

Venue

Marriott has taken steps to introduce more sustainable practices within their hotels.

The initiatives so far are:

  • Water conservation program – all rooms plumbing and kitchens.
  • Energy management program – to reduce carbon footprint.
  • Occupancy driven light controls.
  • We completed an installation for motion sensors HVAC at guest rooms this month as well.
  • Guest Room Recycling

For more information about Marriott’s sustainability efforts, click here

Thank you to our Foundation Sustainability Partners & Donors

“The 2022 GBTA Sustainability Summit was an exciting and innovative event. It’s great to have a new forum where sustainability and business travel stakeholders can come together to discuss ideas and work toward solving some of the industry’s biggest and most important challenges.”
Olivier Benoit 
Principal & Vice President, Global, Advito
“The sustainability event in Brussels was truly remarkable. The event brought together the best minds in sustainable travel, and the speakers and panels were first-rate. I feel energized and ready to take on new challenges in advancing sustainability in the travel industry.”
Maarten Dansen
Program Manager Operations – Corporate Sustainability, PwC
“The caliber of content presented at GBTA’s inaugural Sustainability Summit in Brussels was truly remarkable, exceeding all expectations. GBTA has set a high standard for future events, and I eagerly anticipate what they have in store.”
Robyn Grassanovits
VP of Emerging Business, Cirium
“It was energizing to get to know industry peers demonstrating a genuine passion and engagement in setting the right expectations and fighting greenwashing.” AND “The 2022 edition of the GBTA Sustainability Summit has been outstanding. Through fostering collaboration and education, it is an exceptional platform to genuinely advance sustainability in the Business Travel industry.”
Sylvain Muller
Senior Director of Product Management – Sustainability, SAP Concur 
“The GBTA Summit was one of my most important schooldays of the past year. I gained a much deeper insight into the concerns, trends and opportunities in driving more sustainable travel solutions… Business travel has become a powerful driver of sustainability in travel and tourism and so much of this trend is curated by GBTA.  We are honored to partner with them to achieve our common aims.”
Patrick O’Meara
Head of Business Development, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
“Great content and great connections all in one place! I found the GBTA Sustainability Summit 2023 invaluable for keeping up to date on the latest sustainable business travel conversations. If you are figuring out how to spend your 2023 carbon budget, GBTA’s Sustainability Summit in Washington, D.C. should definitely be a priority.”
Olivia Ruggles-Brise
Vice President, Sustainability, BCD Travel