Corporate Travel Leaders Gather in Canberra
CANBERRA, Australia, September 10, 2009 - NBTA Asia Pacific - the leading organisation for business travel professionals in the region and a division of the world's premier business travel group, the National Business Travel Association - last week hosted 200 attendees for the annual NBTA Asia Pacific Regional Business Travel Conference. Delegates took part in more than 20 plenary and education sessions led by industry and thought leaders from around the region and across the globe, gaining insights into the most important topics in corporate travel.
Monica Gardner, Director and Chair, NBTA Asia Pacific, said, "The 2009 NBTA Asia Pacific Regional Business Travel Conference was inspiring and thought-provoking. I am honored to be part of the group that connects the industry in Australia and New Zealand, and throughout the region."
Craig Banikowski, CCTE, C.P.M., CMM, the newly-elected President & CEO of NBTA globally, added, "It was a pleasure to join NBTA Asia Pacific as one of my first duties as NBTA President. For me, the event reinforced what makes NBTA great: delivering both regionally targeted and globally relevant content and networking in key markets around the globe."
Delegates were privileged to meet with The Hon Martin Ferguson, AM MP, Minister for Tourism and Minister for Resources and Energy at Government House, Canberra. Minister Ferguson addressed NBTA Asia Pacific, saying, "You provide the foundation on which the travel industry is built."
The Minister went on to say, "The Australian Government through Business Events Australia is committed to more aggressive marketing programs to position Australia as a destination for business events and business travellers. Business Events Australia will be launching a new campaign to increase consideration of Australia among corporate meeting buyers and incentive agents.
Sessions covered topics such as Mobile Device Management, Managing Traveller Health and Safety, Integrated Travel & Expense Data, Corporate Cards, Open Skies, Hotel & Air Trends, Travel Technology, Contracting, Travel & Expense Technology, and more. Speakers included luminaries and industry leaders such as Banikowski, Ferguson, and Gardner, as well as:
---| Rob Dell, Vice President Global Sales, Asia Pacific, FCm Travel Solutions
---| David Lloyd, Head of Strategic Development of Virgin Blue
---| David Greenland, Managing Director, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
---| Kurt Knackstedt, Vice President and Head of Field Effectiveness, Marketing and Product Management, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Australia, American Express Business Travel
---| Jeremy Limpens, RN MSN, National Operations & Client Manager, The Travel Doctor-TMVC
---| Greg Moriarty, First Assistant Secretary Consular, Public Diplomacy and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
---| David O'Donohoe, Senior Vice President, Global Supplier Sales & Operations, StarCite
---| Mat Orrego, President, Cornerstone Information Systems
---| Craig Smith, Director, National Contracts and Supply, CTM Travel
---| Laurie Treloar, Travel Consultant
Attendees included travel buyers/managers from Australian Federal Police, Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Department of Public Works, Department of Veteran's Affairs, Aristocrat Technologies Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Sports Commission, BOC Limited, Ergon Energy, Johnson & Johnson, Pacific Brands, and Philip Morris.
The 2009 NBTA Asia Pacific Regional Business Travel Conference was made possible by the generous sponsorships of American Express Business Travel, Virgin Blue Group of Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sydney Airport, Novotel Canberra, QBT, United Airlines, HRG, Concur, Cornerstone Information Systems, Serko Online, GetThere, Air Charter Service, Accor Hospitality, StarCite, ADAGold Aviation and Travelex.
NBTA Members can download the conference presentations at www.nbta.org.au.
About NBTA Asia Pacific
NBTA Asia Pacific, the leading organisation for corporate travel professionals in the Asia Pacific region, is part of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the world's premier business travel organisation. U.S.-based NBTA and its regional subsidiaries - NBTA Asia Pacific, the Brazilian Business Travel Association (ABGEV), NBTA Canada and NBTA Mexico - serve more than 4,000 members in 30 nations around the globe. NBTA has 40 U.S. Chapters with more than 5,000 members. NBTA members are corporate and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than US$200 billion of global business travel expenditures annually. The association provides industry-leading networking, education & professional development, research, news & information, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.nbta.org and www.nbta.org.au.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
