GBTA cancels national forum
The Global Business Travel Association’s annual National Travel Forum scheduled for June 4 in Phoenix has been canceled. The forum is usually attended by the GBTA, federal and state agencies, including the General Services Administration. With the GSA in the middle of a scandal over excess spending at its 2010 Western Regions Conference, the GBTA was notified by the administration that it was not able to support the event. Although no government funds were used to create the forum, GBTA President Mike McCormick says there is no choice but to postpone the event.
“GBTA staff members and volunteer leaders from the GSA have spent countless hours developing the NTF program together,” McCormick wrote in a letter to exhibitors, attendees and sponsors. “And, although we at GBTA firmly believe that there is no more appropriate time for government travel professionals to learn cost-cutting strategies from top corporate travel managers, hear from business and academic leaders, build key relationships with industry suppliers and reinforce ethical behavior standards, we cannot hold this important forum without GSA’s participation.”
