How to Maximize Your GBTA 2024 Convention Experience

Since being acquired by a renowned group of investors led by Concur founder Steve Singh earlier this year, Direct Travel has been in pursuit of making our vision for The Perfect Trip a reality. The latest touchstone in the journey is a revolutionary new technology stack which integrates best-in-class tech solutions for travel, expense, and meetings management – all backed by superior service.

A sneak peek of this technology will be previewed at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention, the premier event for the business travel industry. With exciting news like this in store, the 55th annual GBTA is already shaping up to be a success, but experiencing everything the convention has to offer can be a daunting task for the unprepared. Whether this is your first conference or you’re a seasoned veteran, here’s how to join us in our quest for #ThePerfectTrip and get the most out of your GBTA 2024 convention experience.

Make a Tentative Schedule

GBTA has multiple sessions, workshops, and activities all happening at the same time. Attendees will want to prep ahead of time in order to prioritize attending the convention events that best align with their business goals and travel program needs. A good place to start is to review GBTA’s Know Before You Go resource, which includes mobile app, transportation, and session details.7-17-24_Headshot

One session to add to the schedule, especially for those in charge of creating and managing their company’s travel policy, is “Valuing Beyond Contract Value: Maximizing Your Travel Program” (Room B406 on Tuesday, July 23 at 9:15 a.m.) Direct Travel’s Senior Account Manager Michelle O’Donnell will be sharing practical examples of how to work with vendors on different types of travel policy perks. This is sure to be a crucial session for those who negotiate vendor contracts.

Beyond attending sessions, take the opportunity to join networking events, visit the expo hall, and explore everything Atlanta has to offer during downtime.

Meet with Travel Partners

While in the expo hall, be sure to visit Direct Travel’s booth #2210 for a first look at our next-generation technology solution that makes booking and managing the travel experience easier for travelers and better for business. Here is our product showcase schedule:

  • Monday, July 22: 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 23: 2:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 24: 2:00 p.m.

Our partners will be joining us at GBTA in our shared pursuit of The Perfect Trip. While at the Direct Travel booth, we urge you to also inquire about product solutions from the Spotnana, Center, and Troop teams. Learn how Spotnana’s cloud-based travel platform elevates the traveler experience, hear how Center’s expense management solution offers advanced, real-time reporting, and gain insight into Troop’s capabilities to plan and manage group meetings and events.

Before heading back out onto the expo floor, don’t forget to enter the Direct Travel grand prize giveaway, enjoy a barista-crafted coffee creation or a glass of wine, and pick up a custom-embossed luggage tag.

Prepare for the Future of Business Travel

GBTA’s annual convention is right around the corner. This powerful conference is an opportunity to be part of the collective movement shaping the future of global business travel. It is an occasion to hear from expert speakers and learn about the latest tools, research, and travel technology.

Attendees who research sessions ahead of time and network with potential partners while they are in Atlanta will be rewarded with a productive GBTA experience, maximizing value for their travel programs.

At Direct Travel, we’re in pursuit of The Perfect Trip. GBTA 2024 will be the first chance for industry peers to experience first-hand what all the buzz is about. To learn more about how to connect with Direct Travel at GBTA, contact our team.