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  
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 

9:40am – 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. 

10:00am – 10:30am

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. 

10:30am – 10:45am   

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.  

10:45am – 11:15am

Sustainability Showcase and Networking Coffee Break  

11:15am – 11:55am

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.  

11:55am – 12:25pm  

Beyond Air: The Potential for Modal Shift and Electrification

Modal shift and electrification 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.  

12:25pm – 12:40pm 

Case Study 2:  Tracking Your Programmes’ 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. 

12:40pm – 1:40pm 

Sustainability Showcase and Lunch

1:40pm – 2:10pm

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

Moderator: Joel Fisher, VP Products, Travelport  

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.  

2:10pm – 2:40pm 

The Real Cost of Green: What’s the Premium and Who Pays?

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. 

2:45pm – 3:00pm

Case Study 3: Building and Managing an Internal Carbon Fee

Developing an internal carbon fee can be an efficient way for businesses to drive meaningful change in their organizations. Carbon pricing mechanisms incentivize emissions reductions and can help fund decarbonization and compensation initiatives. This case study will provide concrete tips on why and how to build this type of carbon fee, and strategies for successful implementation and management.  

  

3:00pm – 3:30pm   

Sustainability Showcase and Networking Coffee Break  

3:30pm – 3:55pm  

Carbon Removals:  Navigating the Offsetting Space

Moderator: Angela Foster Rice, Everland   

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.

3:55pm – 4:25pm

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. 

4:25pm – 4:45pm 

The Road Ahead

 

4:45pm – 4:55pm   

Closing Remarks 

Suzanne Neufang, CEO GBTA  

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Networking Cocktail Reception

  

Link to last year’s program here

Link to last year’s Summit Highlights here

Bundle your registration with the Legislative Summit (Save up to 70%):

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.

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 up to 70% on registration by signing up for both 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.

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 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

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.

Please return to this page for updates on speakers.

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:

  • 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

In 2022, GBTA calculated the carbon emissions of 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.

Now that we have a benchmark, we can continue to measure and track our progress to reduce our environmental impact. With the help of our suppliers, vendors, and partners, GBTA is on a journey to make Sustainability Summit 2023 as green as possible.