The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), one of the most prominent organizations of the global business travel industry, has just announced the opening of its GBTA Russia Chapter. The launch of the GBTA Russia activities also marks the association’s milestone of being active in and having membership in all BRIC regions.
The launch of GBTA in Russia will receive the support of an Allied Leadership Advisory Board that will include representatives from Star Alliance, Continent Express and Marriott International. GBTA and the Allied Leadership is set to announce the business travel buyers selected to lead the GBTA region as its Advisory Board and Regional President at the official launch event, held on April 8th at the Marriott Grand in Moscow.
“GBTA is thrilled to be expanding our global footprint to Russia,” said GBTA’s senior vice president of global operations, Paul Tilstone. “Russia is becoming an important and exciting travel management arena. Establishing this region will allow us to work closely with Russian travel professionals, adding value through our education and advocacy while connecting them with their peers throughout the world.”
At the April formal launch event, GBTA Russia will also announce its detailed activity schedule.
GBTA currently has over 5,000 members who manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA offers its network of 17,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, and travel service providers, with networking events, news, education and professional development, research, and advocacy.