Articles

Dear GBTA Chicago Members,

As we approach the end of an eventful year, we find ourselves reflecting on the commitment and excellence demonstrated by our members, committee volunteers, and community. We are proud to continue our organization efforts into a new year, but want to take a moment to recap all the great things we've accomplished together in 2023.

1. Education is essential: Throughout the year, we worked to equip our members with the latest insights and skills. The thirst for knowledge within our community is palpable, and your participation has been instrumental in making these initiatives a resounding success. This year's Chapter events featured panelists and speakers who provided invaluable insights, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within our association. Thank you to those who volunteered their time and expertise:

• March 6th – Global Mobility – OLC Education Center​
  -Global Mobility - Eddie Raleigh, Fragomen​
  -TSA Updates - Jerry Koehler, TSA​​
• May 15th – Pick Your Path – United Airlines HQ​
  -Global Airline Outlook - Glenn Hollister, United​
  -Executing Purposeful Travel - Katie Virtue, Festive Road​
  -Building Your Business Case – Larry Silman, Egencia; Leslie Andrews, JLL; Trish Rothman, Northern Trust​
  -NDC – Greely Koch, 490 Consulting; Fred Bowen, Amadeus; Elliott McNamee, AmTrav​
• October 23rd – Accessibility & Generative A.I. – DoubleTree​
  -Serving Customers of All Abilities – Eric Lipp, Open Doors; Sandra Kaspar, United​
  -Generative A.I. in Travel – Michael Cohen, GAIN; Adetayo Adegoke, Microsoft; Maggie Wolff, Amex GBT
• December 12th – 2023 Review & Look Forward – West Monroe HQ​
  -GBTA Research & 2024 Preview – Kevin Fliess, GBTA

*A special note of gratitude goes to our dedicated Education Committee, whose unwavering commitment and hard work resulted in the delivery of high-quality educational content for our Chapter meetings!

2. Membership Value: Behind the scenes, members have been achieving remarkable milestones and demonstrating leadership in their respective fields. We've been privileged to shine a spotlight on these successes through our member profiles, showcasing the diversity and talent that make up our association. We've awarded scholarships, made Chapter Partner (again), and sent members to lobby at the Legislative Summit in July. Our Committee leaders and volunteers were the driving force behind our initiatives, and it is your collective efforts that make our association a vibrant and thriving community. Each one of you plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our industry, and we are immensely grateful for your invaluable contributions.

3. Community Outreach: Members also made a meaningful impact by actively engaging in community outreach initiatives (volunteering time to help at Lydia Home, donating money/items, and writing birthday cards to the kids who live there to name a few). Facilitating multiple fundraisers throughout the year, our members' efforts exemplify the broader impact we can achieve to give back, support the future of our industry, and support those in our community. From our December holiday fundraiser alone, we're able to donate thousands of dollars directly to Lydia Home - our Chapter's Charity Partner 4 years running (chosen by membership). Our generous corporate sponsors also propelled our efforts - thanks to the many sponsorships from this year we were able to provide $7,500 in scholarship funds to hospitality students in DePaul University's School of Hospitality Leadership!

4. A Heartfelt Thank You: This year also marks a poignant moment in our association's history as we bid farewell to a dedicated leader, Wayne Urbanek, who has served as the Chairman of the Board (among other roles) for many years. Wayne has been an instrumental force in steering our association through various challenges, always with unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence. His leadership has left an indelible mark on GBTA Chicago, and we express our deepest gratitude for his years of service, vision, and tireless efforts in propelling our organization forward!

5. Looking Ahead: As we bid farewell to 2023, we eagerly anticipate what 2024 will bring. Your feedback and engagement remain invaluable as we continue to evolve to the ever-changing business travel landscape.

The 2024 Chapter event schedule is already set, so save the date and don't forget to renew your membership!​

We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every member of GBTA Chicago for your unwavering support and dedication. Your involvement has been the driving force behind our success, and we look forward to achieving even greater heights together in the coming year.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

GBTA Chicago Executive Board,
Jeff Burba, Wayne Urbanek, Barb Laken, Katie Murphy, Amber Mallon, Angela Sciortino, Carlo Chirchirillo, & Jim Sisco

Thank you to our 2023 annual sponsors!