I joined my colleagues yesterday at NBTA in Houston. I look forward to seeing the booths Fran mentioned yesterday and to seeing what the travel industry has in store for 2011.

We will be sitting down to lunch soon to hear Condoleeza Rice speak. It is exciting to be at an industry conference that brings everyone together to hear about business, but having a speaker like Condoleeza Rice reminds us how all industries are interwined and dependant upon each other in this global world. Decisions made in Washington affect the globe and the travel industry.

Recently, we have been reading announcements that airlines are boasting profits and people’s spirits seem higher than they were at last year’s conferences. I am optimistic that we will see this continue and the level of travel from small business to large corporate travel will continue to pick up its recovery pace, despite challenges that still lay ahead. Stay tuned to hear more from GT‘s bloggers about NBTA and the exciting news the airlines and hotels of the world will have to offer you!

— Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher