Lance Armstrong to Speak at 2010 NBTA Convention

World Champion, Cancer Activist

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. March 18, 2010

Alexandria, VA - March 17, 2010 - The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today that world champion cyclist, cancer survivor and international activist Lance Armstrong will be featured as a keynote speaker at the 2010 NBTA International Convention & Exposition August 8-11 in Houston, TX. After surviving testicular cancer, the U.S. Olympian went on to win seven Tour de France titles, claiming his status as one of the most honored athletes in the world. Armstrong's appearance during the Convention's Wednesday General Session is made possible by Amadeus.

“Lance Armstrong's story is one of perseverance, hope and inspiration,” said NBTA President & CEO Craig Banikowski, CCTE, C.P.M, CMM. “His challenges are undeniable, his recovery a miracle, and his success is an example of a true international hero. Lance's story about his journey as a professional cyclist, a cancer survivor and global activist will surely remind us all of what we can accomplish when we set out to reach our goals.”

Armstrong became a professional cyclist at the age of 16, quickly proving himself with stage victories in the Tour de France, a No. 1 world ranking, and a spot on the U.S. Cycling Team in 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Soon thereafter tests revealed testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. Armstrong immediately formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help others fighting the disease. Although given a less than 50 percent chance to live, he fully recovered, after which he went on to win the Tour de France seven times. Armstrong plans to compete in the Tour de France this year, as well.

Armstrong joins Sir Richard Branson, Founder and President of Virgin Group, in an impressive lineup of keynote presenters. Branson, whose appearance is made possible by Orbitz for Business, will speak during the General Session and Luncheon on Tuesday, August 10.

Banikowski commented, “We've been waiting in much anticipation to hear Richard Branson speak after an important engagement prevented his presence last year. As one of the world's most famous entrepreneurs and industry show stoppers, he is the perfect fit for the NBTA audience, and I look forward to hearing his thoughts on the future of the travel industry.”

For more information about the 2010 NBTA Convention, visit www.nbtaconvention.org.

The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) is the world's premier business travel and corporate meetings organization. NBTA and its regional affiliates - NBTA Australia/New Zealand, the Brazilian Business Travel Association (ABGEV), NBTA Canada, NBTA Europe, NBTA Mexico, and NBTA USA - serve a network of more than 17,000 business travel professionals around the globe with industry-leading events, networking, education & professional development, research, news & information, and advocacy. NBTA members, numbering more than 5,000 in 30 nations, are corporate and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers. They collectively manage and direct more than US$340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually on behalf of more than 13 million business travelers within their organizations. For more information, visit www.nbta.org.