Each year, Global Traveler staff attends and hosts a booth at the Global Business Travel Association’s convention. Last year, the convention was hosted in sunny San Diego, and this year we will be in the historic and happening city of Chicago. We are elated to connect with our fellow colleagues in the travel industry for an informative and enlightening experience.

The convention is a great outlet to reconnect with contacts, seasoned and new to the convention. There is an electric energy throughout the space, filled with corporate executives, travel planners and various other exhibitors ready to highlight their services to a new GBTA convention crop.

Here are some photos from last year’s convention; it’s amazing what changes in a year. This also marks my anniversary with Global Traveler, an organization I was delighted to join. It has been a pleasure to meet new clients from various locations all over the world. I continue to learn daily, as a professional and as a person. I feel it is important to be open to learning. As I continue my journey professionally and personally, I look forward to the opportunity to self-improve each day and be open to new experiences.

Speaking of new experiences, we as a team recently enjoyed a fantastic cooking class in Philadelphia. Hosted in a historic townhouse, we teamed up in twos and threes to enjoy a Mexican-themed meal, complete with pico de gallo, enchiladas with chicken and veggies, guacamole, quesadillas and, to top it off, delicious margarita cupcakes! Our leader, publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher, treated us to the day, complete with a visit to The Union League of Philadelphia, a special experience both visually and for the palate. The team building exercise was an enjoyable time had by all!

As a traveling professional, it is easy to feel disconnected from the headquarters or office at times, and I have had the good fortune of discussing these issues with clients seeking solutions to this dilemma. One option is enrolling in programs that streamline yet customize the employee experience from start of trip to end. GBTA will be host to many exhibitors featuring services that offer solutions for all of our corporate travel needs. I look forward to getting to know them all. For more information on the GBTA and the annual convention visit, GBTA.org and, as always, happy travels!

— Stephanie Makowski, account executive