Published on : Monday, May 30, 2016
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – held its 14th annual Legislative Symposium this week. More than 100 GBTA members attended, calling on lawmakers to pass an FAA Bill now ensuring a long-term plan for the future of aviation, fix TSA’s PreCheck program ensuring safer and more efficient travel and continue to oppose passenger facility charge (PFC) increases ensuring business travelers do not bear an undue burden from ever-increasing taxes and fees.
The Legislative Symposium kicked off with a full day of discussions with top lawmakers, industry insiders and political strategists on key travel issues including long wait times at airports, PFCs, travel security, discriminatory travel taxes, the future of business travel in Cuba and more. Speakers included Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), John Katko (R-NY), Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Michael Capuano (D-MA). John P. Sammon, Chief Marketing Officer of TSA and Christopher Browne, Washington Dulles Airport Manager spoke as well.
“There is no question that business travel is critical to our economy – every 1 percent increase in business travel spending creates an additional 71,000 jobs, nearly $5 billion in GDP and $3 billion in wages,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. “We need lawmakers to adopt policies that support our business travelers and help our industry grow. I’m pleased to see so many members flying in to D.C. to advocate for our industry and share their stories with their elected representatives.”
Through the GBTA Legislative Symposium, business travel professionals from across the country have an opportunity to advocate for the future of the business travel industry and meet with lawmakers to share their opinions on key industry issues. The two-day event included more than 140 visits with Senators and Members of Congress.
In addition, GBTA unveiled its new Rules of the Road for optimizing business travel – a declaration of travel reform to guide industry, business leaders and policy makers in creating a travel ecosystem that fosters growth, jobs, safety and efficiency around the globe. In conjunction with the Rules of the Road, GBTA created the inaugural GBTA Navigator Award to honor Senators and Representatives who have been strong champions for business travelers and the business travel industry.
The 2016 GBTA Navigator Award honorees are: Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senator John Thune (R-SD), Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), Representative John Katko (R-NY), Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY) and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL).
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