The GBTA is proud to host the 21st Annual GBTA US Chapter Leadership Summit! This event brings almost 200 US Chapter volunteer leaders from across the country for 2 days of learning including professional development, networking and collaboration to enhance GBTA’s 38 US Chapter organizations.

All US Chapter board members and volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend! 

Event Dates:
Monday, January 27 – Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Agenda

Agenda is subject to change*
More details will be coming soon

11:00AM – 6:00PM

Location

Registration

1:00PM

Regency Ballroom

Welcome

By CPC President, Ronda Dean

1:15PM

Regency Ballroom

Welcome to St. Louis

By St. Louis Mayor, Tishaura Jones

1:45PM

Regency Ballroom

GBTA and Industry Updates

By GBTA CEO, Suzanne Neufang

2:15PM

Regency Ballroom

What is GBTA | Chapter Presidents Council & How to Navigate this event?

By CPC President, Ronda Dean

2:30PM

Regency Ballroom Foyer

Break

3:00PM

Regency Ballroom

Chapter Standards & Guidelines

What are these?  How do I get my hands on this!?

By CPC Standards & Guidelines Committee’s Shalini Iyer and Michelle Amos

3:45PM

Regency Ballroom

The ‘S’ Word

Embracing Sincerity for Personal And Professional Success
By Joshua Routh

4:45PM

Regency Ballroom

Closing the Day

By Ronda Dean

Sponsor Spotlight

By St. Louis Union Station Hotel

5:00PM – 7:00PM

Midway East

Welcome Reception

Made Possible by St. Louis Union Station Hotel

7:00AM – 8:00AM

Regency Ballroom Foyer

Breakfast

8:00AM

Regency Ballroom

Welcome and Overview of the Day

By Ronda Dean

8:15AM – 9:00AM

Grand A

Treasury 101

by Rena Briggs and Stratton Penberthy

Grand B

Engage, Educate, Inspire:  Elevating Chapter Programming for Buyers and Suppliers

by Sabrina Kronk and Lena Sanok

  • Description: Designing engaging and impactful programming for the business travel industry is both an art and a science. This session will guide participants through the process of selecting dynamic speakers, curating relevant topics, and creating sessions that resonate with both travel buyers and suppliers. Learn how to add value to your chapter’s educational content by incorporating GBTA advocacy efforts, how to ensure your programming delivers actionable insights, fosters meaningful connections, and keeps audiences coming back for more.
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Learn how to select dynamic speakers and develop content that delivers actionable insights and resonates with both travel buyers and suppliers.Explore techniques to enhance your chapter’s educational content by creating impactful sessions that foster connections and drive value for attendees.
    • Discover strategies to integrate GBTA advocacy initiatives into your programming to educate and engage your audience on key industry priorities.
  • Who should attend?
  • GBTA chapter board members responsible for shaping and executing chapter programming
  • Programming Committee members involved in planning and organizing educational events

Chapter board members dedicated to creating valuable programming that supports, impactful offerings, networking and learning in the business travel community

Grand C

Grow & Retain Chapter Membership

with Jeremy Diederich, Trish Earles, and Shalini Iyer

  • Description: Growing and retaining membership within a GBTA chapter is essential to creating a vibrant community of travel buyers and suppliers. By leveraging targeted strategies that boost engagement, delivering valuable education and resources, and facilitating networking opportunities, chapters can not only grow their membership but also build lasting loyalty. A strategic focus on training via starchapter membership knowledgebase, creating value-driven educational content, building an inclusive environment, and leveraging the newly developed membership playbook will serve as the foundation for driving sustained member engagement and long-term success.
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Drive Membership Growth and Engagement:
       Learn strategies & best practices to enhance member engagement, provide valuable resources, and foster networking to grow and retain membership.
    • Utilize the Membership Playbook for Consistent Engagement:
       Discover how to leverage the newly developed membership playbook to guide and sustain member engagement.
    • Foster Loyalty through Value and Inclusivity:
       Understand how valuable content, engaging programs, drives & incentives and an inclusive environment build long-term member loyalty.

Who should attend?  All are welcome! Membership chairs & committee members, Sponsorship chairs & committee members & Education content leaders

Grand D

Sponsorship Strategies for All

  • Session Description: In this dynamic and practical session, we’ll explore proven sponsorship strategies that can be tailored to both small and large chapters. Whether you’re looking to build relationships with potential sponsors or refine and expand your existing relationships, this session will provide you with actionable insights and creative ideas to elevate your sponsorship efforts.
  • Key Takeaways:
    • Best Practices for Sponsorship Success: Learn how chapters of all sizes are successfully engaging and retaining sponsors, from relationship-building to maximizing sponsor visibility and value.
    • Creating a Sponsorship Menu: Discover how to craft a “Sponsorship Menu”—a tiered list of sponsorship opportunities that can be tailored to meet the needs of different sponsors. We’ll discuss category options (e.g., event sponsorships, digital sponsorships, in-kind contributions, etc.), and how to present these opportunities in a way that appeals to a wide range of potential sponsors.
    • Implementation Strategies: Identify and cultivate relationships with both existing and new sponsors, and develop compelling proposals to secure their support.
    • Interactive Discussion: Engage with other chapters to discuss common challenges and share creative solutions. Learn from each other’s experiences and discover new opportunities to strengthen your sponsorship approach.
  • Whether you’re aiming to secure new partners or enhance existing sponsorships, this session is designed to provide you with the tools and techniques to ensure your sponsorship program thrives.
  • Target Audience: This session is ideal for chapter sponsorship committee members from both small and large chapters who are looking to grow their sponsorship programs and learn new strategies to boost revenue and engagement.

Roberts Rules Simplified.docx

Grand E

Hey!!! Get your Bylaws in Order!

By Kelly Ferrigno & Jonathan Simon

  • Description: This engaging and dynamic session will guide you in aligning your chapter’s bylaws with its actual operations, ensuring consistency and compliance with current laws rather than leaving you to wonder about legal adherence.
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Explore the distinction between Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and their respective roles in chapter operations.
    • Learn practical strategies for creating and updating Bylaws to align with actual chapter practices.
    • Understand the key differences between public and private Bylaws and their implications.
    • Examine how Robert’s Rules of Order influence Bylaws and their application.

Who should attend? Anyone involved in drafting, updating, or interpreting organizational Bylaws, including chapter presidents, secretaries, and committee chairs. Whether you’re new to leadership or looking to refine your chapter’s practices, this interactive session will provide practical insights and guidance.

9:15AM – 10:00AM

Grand A

www.gbtacpc.org DEMO

by Angela Swoveland

  • Description: The GBTA CPC website is a repository for best practices and training materials added throughout the last 10 years.  This demo of the site gets you started on how to find resources that can help you in your role as a Chapter Board Member including how to find your Counterpart at other Chapters.
  • Learning Objectives: Learn How to:
    • Find a Speaker – I am looking for a Speaker, is there anyone you recommend?Get Inspiration from Other Chapters – I am out of ideas and want to see what other Chapters have done before, is there a place I can find that?
    • Connect with Experienced Members – I really want to speak with someone who has done this job before

Who should attend?  Chapter Board members who are good at bringing options to the other Board Members to vote on.

Grand B

Chapter Elections: Best Practices and Engagement Strategies

by Samantha Bean and Becky Schlereth

  • Description: This session will guide participants through the process of planning and executing chapter elections. It covers everything from reviewing by-laws and forming election committees to establishing clear timelines and promoting member participation. Attendees will leave with practical insights and actionable tools to ensure a transparent and engaging election process.
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Understand the essential elements of planning and managing chapter elections, including roles, timelines, and protocols.
    • Learn best practices for engaging members and encouraging participation in elections.
    • Gain strategies for creating effective communication and ensuring election integrity.

Who should attend?
 Chapter leaders, board members, election committee members, and anyone involved in overseeing or improving chapter election processes.

Grand C

Standards & Guidelines

 by Shalini Iyer and Michelle Amos

  • Description: The Standards & Guidelines Committee aims to support GBTA US Chapters by collecting, organizing, and sharing key resources, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), playbooks, and other essential documents. By centralizing these materials on the CPC website, this initiative enables Chapter Presidents and committee members to easily access, customize, and implement proven best practices to ensure smooth operations and continuity within their local organizations. The introduction of these playbooks and resources will provide GBTA Chapters with tools to maintain consistency, improve efficiency, and adapt to changes, contributing to stronger business continuity and long-term success.
  • Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the Importance of Business Continuity: Learn how standard operating procedures and playbooks contribute to maintaining consistent operations and mitigating disruptions within GBTA US Chapters.
  • Navigate and Customize Resources for your chapter Gain skills in accessing and customizing standard documents, playbooks, and best practices from the CPC website to meet the specific needs of your local chapter and ensure sustainable growth & success.
  • What to Expect Next & your feedback: Discover upcoming resources to further enhance chapter operations & share your feedback on what you would like to see on the the SAG roadmap.
  • Who should attend

The session is applicable to all board of directors, committee chairs & members.

Grand D

Best in Class Tips for Sourcing Meetings and Events

by Rafael Grullon

Grand E

Student Memberships

10:15AM – 11:00AM

Grand A

501c6 Status

by Nan Park and Rena Briggs

Grand B

Politics stinks – How to add air fresher

by Shane Downey & Legislative Advisory Council Members – Becky Schlereth, Michele Wilson, Samantha Bean and Kristen Reeves

  • Description: Join the Legislative Advisory Council and learn how to garner interest in government relations and advocacy
  • Learning Objectives:
    • How to convey the impact government actions have to your membersBest practices for meeting the Chapter Challenge
    • GBTA staff learning from you on what does and doesn’t work from the Chapter point of view

Who should attend? Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents and Chapter Government Relations Liaisons

Grand C

Setting a Foundation of Belonging: Welcome Inclusion & Culture into Your Chapter

by Brittany Duhon & Shawnda Witterstaetter

  • Description: Align your chapter with the GBTA Inclusion & Culture Committee through learning, discussion and feedback
  • Learning Objectives:
    • To bring awareness and empathy to chapter leaders when welcoming diverse groups into the local chapterTo provide chapter leadership with tools for diverse outreach
    • To encourage each chapter to embrace a foundation of inclusion and culture

Who should attend? Inclusion & Culture chapter champions and anyone passionate about belonging

Grand D

Board Engagement / Motivating Volunteers

by Ronda Dean and Rafael Grullon

  • Description: In this breakout session, we’ll explore effective strategies for driving board engagement and volunteer participation by focusing on Individual Return on Investment (ROI). By understanding and aligning with each person’s unique interests and skill sets, you can cultivate a deeper commitment and greater involvement from your board members and volunteers. This approach not only ensures a more engaged and productive board but also plays a critical role in supporting business continuity and successfully navigating change management for future growth and leadership transitions. Join us to discover how personalizing engagement can lead to stronger organizational outcomes and long-term success.
  • Learning Objectives:
  • Identify why are you a leader/what do you want to accomplish as a leader?
  • Identify skills and traits in other and how to expand upon them.
  • Delegation / follow up and follow through.
  • Best practices!

Who should attend?  Anyone who is in a leadership role.  Think about your board’s succession planning and next generation of leaders and encourage them to join this breakout session to ensure the viability of your Chapter.

Grand E

Sustainability Committee

by Mark Ziegler, Vice Chair of the GBTA Sustainability Committee

  • Description: How can your Chapter align with the GBTA Sustainability Committee
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Speaker Resources/can we provide any resources from the GBTA Sustainability Committee? Sustainability Toolkit – GBTA HubHow to incorporate it into your Chapter?  Educational events/Speakers, webpage on Chapter site, volunteer opportunities as a Chapter
    • What can you do, as a Chapter, to be sustainable?

Who should attend?  Anyone who plans education or programs for their Chapter

11:15AM – 12:45PM

Grand A

StarChapter 101

by Angela Swoveland

  • Description: Introduction to StarChapter, the association management software that all GBTA Chapters use to run their website, membership, and events.  Beginning with how to log into the Admin Area and ending with how to access additional training materials. 
  • Learning Objectives:
    • How to log into the Admin area of your Chapter website
    • How to navigate the StarChapter menus and who should focus on each section
    • How to find answers to any questions that you come across in the future

Who should attend? Membership Directors, Board Members who are responsible for marketing meetings, Board Members who are responsible for Membership Dues, Board Members who are responsible for updating the website

Grand B

Roberts Rules

by Isabella Rusike, Megin Dressler, & Michele Wilson

  • Description:
     A session designed to provide firsthand experience in using Robert’s Rules of Order through a mock board meeting and real-world scenarios.
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Understand the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order for efficient board meeting facilitation.
    • Utilize a simplified version of Robert’s Rules (provided as an attachment) as a resource.
    • Equip attendees with materials to help communicate these practices to their boards.

Target Audience:
 Presidents, Vice Presidents, Board Members, and anyone interested in running more efficient meetings.

Grand C

Promoting your Chapter on Social Media

by Justin Morris and Shalini Iyer

  • Description: This session will guide GBTA US Local Chapters in leveraging social media platforms to enhance their visibility, engage with members, promote their activities, and showcase sponsor support, using GBTA-branded assets and Canva templates. Chapters will learn how to establish a strong social media presence that highlights events, initiatives, and successes, while maintaining a consistent and professional brand. Attendees will discover how to optimize their social media profiles, create compelling content, and effectively engage their networks to promote their chapter’s mission and activities.
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Build, Engage, and Grow Your Network: Discover strategies for expanding your chapter’s social media network, engaging with members and sponsors, and using social media to increase membership and overall chapter visibility.Access Branded Assets for Quality & Consistency – Download logos, standards & templates from the GBTAmarketing library – Chapter Branding Assets – Dropbox
    • Implement Social Media Best Practices & Content Ideas: Learn best practices including use of AI for social media management, including consistency, timing, and engagement techniques, and explore creative content ideas

Who should attend? All are welcome! Social media chairs & committee members, Chapter presidents & chairs of all chapter committees.

Grand D

Cultivating Buyer / Supplier Relationships

Ronda Dean and Joni Doiron

Grand E

Member Engagement Strategies

12:15PM – 12:45PM

Collaboration

Grand A

Collaboration

Treasurers – lead by Cindy Lewis

Grand B

Collaboration

Content / Education – lead by Amy Hunke

Grand C

Collaboration

Marketing / Communication – lead by Shawnda Witterstaetter

Grand D

Collaboration

Sponsorship – lead by Jeremy Diederich

Grand E

Collaboration

Membership – lead by Kari Bigot

1:00PM – 2:00PM

Regency Ballroom Foyer

Lunch

2:00PM

Regency Ballroom

Welcome Back from Breakouts

Practical Application By Ronda Dean

2:30PM

Regency Ballroom

GBTA Advocacy – PAC Challenge

By GBTA Vice President of Government Relations, Shane Downey

3:00PM

Regency Ballroom

Break

3:15PM

Regency Ballroom

Bold + Balance the 70% Solution

By Katie Virtue

4:00PM

Regency Ballroom

But Wait – There’s More?!

Panel Discussion on how to increase Buyer Attendance
With Abbey Withrow, x, x, and x

4:45PM

Regency Ballroom

Closing Remarks

By Ronda Dean

St. Louis Union Station Hotel
1820 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
314-231-1234
Hotel Website

A room block has been secured at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton for the duration of the summit.  Room accommodations can be secured through the reservation link or by calling the Reservations Department at 314-231-1234. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group, GBTA US Chapter Leadership Summit 2025, at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate.

The reservation cut-off date is January 7th, 2025. Reservation requests received after this deadline date will be subject to availability and the prevailing rate. 

Room Rates:
Single/Double: $159 (plus applicable taxes and fees)
Complimentary guestroom internet access and access to the fitness center is included in the room rate.
Hotel room, tax, incidentals, airfare and other expenses are the responsibility of the attendee. 

Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Room Cancellation Policy:
All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card

Parking:
TBD

Transportation and Information:
TBD

This event is open to all GBTA Chapter Board Members, Chapter Committee members, and invited guests. All registrants will be quality checked to ensure you fit within one of these categories Any Registrations not fitting these roles will be cancelled and refunded.

Registration Rates:

Registration TypeBuyer member and non memberSupplier member and non member
October 31st$230$230
Nov 1st to January 6th$280$280
Jan 7th to Jan 27th$330$330
Register now

Bulk Registration:
Registering multiple people, and prefer one payment? Click here to register. Once you have added the first attendee, click on “Add Group Member”, until everyone from your group has been added. You can now check out as one payment.

Cancellation Policy:

  • All cancellation requests must be made in writing to GBTA at eventsupport@gbta.org
  • Cancellations are accepted until January 11, 2025.
  • A full refund less a $75 administrative fee will be given for cancellations.
  • No refunds will be given after January 11, 2025.
  • 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 eventsupport@gbta.org 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. 

GBTA US Chapter Leadership Summit 2025 Sponsorship Prospectus

Don’t miss this opportunity to increase your brand awareness, generate leads and network with more than 175 decision makers from GBTA Chapters.  Attendees of these events represent Chapter leaders from across the country. 

Become a sponsor to engage this group of active GBTA members upcoming Leadership and CPC events in 2024. Interested in sponsoring? Contact our sponsorship team with any questions.

sponsor 2025

Premium Sponsorships

 Gold
Sponsor		Silver
Sponsor		Bronze
Sponsor
Pricing$9,000 USD $6,900 USD  $4,600 USD
Speaking opportunity during General Session (may be used for video commercial (90-second max), speech and/or presentation).Five (5) MinutesThree (3) Minutes 
Opportunity to bring sustainable giveaway or flyer for seat drop.  Recommended quantity to be provided by GBTA.✔✔ 
Opportunity to bring additional materials to display on table outside of General Session.✔✔ 
Sponsor may provide one (1) pop-up banner to be displayed next to Tabletop.✔✔ 
Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.✔✔✔
Complimentary event registrations for your qualified Chapter leader.Two (2)One (1)One (1)
All-attendee registration list distributed one (1) time: (name, title, company) 1 week post (February 4).✔✔✔

Other Sponsorship Opportunities

$10,000 USD

  • Logo recognition on signage during sponsored break, provided by GBTA.
  • Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.
  • Signage recognizing sponsor as providing meeting room WiFi.
  • Two (2) complimentary event registrations for your qualified Chapter leader.

$5,750 USD

  • Logo recognition on signage during sponsored break, provided by GBTA.
  • Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.
  • All-attendee registration list distributed one (1) time: (name, title, company) 1 week post (February 4).

$5,750 USD

  • Logo recognition on signage during sponsored break, provided by GBTA.
  • Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.
  • All-attendee registration list distributed one (1) time: (name, title, company) 1 week post (February 4).

$5,750 USD

  • Logo recognition on signage during sponsored break, provided by GBTA.
  • Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.
  • All-attendee registration list distributed one (1) time: (name, title, company) 1 week post (February 4).

$5,750 USD

  • Sponsor’s company logo will appear on the landing page to access WiFi.
  • Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.
  • Signage recognizing sponsor as providing meeting room WiFi.
  • One (1) complimentary event registrations for your qualified Chapter leader.

$4,600 USD

  • Sponsor is responsible for production and shipping costs of the single-clip lanyards. Quantity to be confirmed by GBTA.
  • Logo recognition on GBTA event website, official materials, and sponsor recognition slides. If sponsor purchases multiple sponsorship opportunities at various tiers, sponsor will be recognized at the highest tier purchased sponsor level.
  • One (1) complimentary event registration for your qualified Chapter leader.

$2,000 USD

  • One (1) exhibit tabletop.
  • Sponsor may provide one (1) pop-up banner to be displayed next to Tabletop.
  • Opportunity to bring additional materials to display at Tabletop.  Recommended quantity to be provided by GBTA.
  • All-attendee registration list distributed one (1) time: (name, title, company) 1 week post (February 4).

Contact Us

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Gold

Check back closer to the event for additional information