The Business of Travel GBTA Board View | Are You Ready for Convention? – A Buyer/Supplier Perspective
Jul 8, 2025
Mark Cuschieri, the GBTA board president and head of global travel for UBS, and Kevin Sullivan, Treasurer of the GBTA Board and Southwest Airlines managing director, share exciting insights on the upcoming GBTA Convention in Denver. They emphasize the importance of networking, mentorship, and preparation for both first-time attendees and veterans. Listeners gain valuable tips on maximizing their convention experience, including effective planning, utilizing tools, and engaging with diverse industry participants. Key themes like AI integration and sustainability are also discussed.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
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.
Plan and Maximize Interactions
- Maximize every interaction including beyond sessions, like coffee lines and lunches, to build valuable relationships.
- Plan your agenda ahead using the app and schedule strategic meetings to navigate the large convention space effectively.