The Business of Travel GBTA Board View | Are You Ready for Convention? – A Buyer/Supplier Perspective
First Convention Overwhelm to App Relief
- Mark Cuschieri's first GBTA Convention in 2015 in LA was overwhelming and exhausting due to back-to-back meetings without an app.
- The introduction of the convention app later greatly enhanced his organization and experience.
2003 Convention Sparked Career
- Kevin Sullivan's inaugural convention in 2003 showed him the vast scale and importance of business travel, inspiring a career in the industry.
- The expo's energy and connections made him view GBTA Convention as the Super Bowl of business travel.
Maximize Your GBTA Convention Experience with Strategic Planning and Meaningful Connections
Plan your schedule before arriving at the GBTA Convention to maximize value and network effectively. Use the mobile app to organize educational sessions, set up strategic meetings, and navigate the large expo floor efficiently.
Focus on making every interaction count—not only during sessions or exhibitions but also informal moments like coffee breaks and lunches. Dress comfortably, pace yourself, and allocate enough time to move between meetings.
Attend new events like the Buyer Buzz and Brain Dates for in-depth peer discussions, and don't miss educational tracks on sustainability, AI, and industry innovations to stay current.
As Mark Cuschieri highlights, "What you put in is what you get out," stressing the importance of preparation and engagement to get the most ROI and new insights from the convention.