March 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
I was on a call with another GBTA chapter president recently and they asked about one of our events, for a copy of the plan and if we had any other new ideas. As I head into my final year as chapter President it got me thinking about everything GBTA Chicago has accomplished over the last few years. We started by looking at the basics, the Mission Statement, and we keyed in on the basics of that statement, education and networking. We’ve tried new events, new formats and content, switched up the timing, pricing, the locations and thrown all sorts of new ideas out there. We focused on collaborating in person and making that time valuable to everyone there. We’ve had some hits and some misses and learned a lot along the way. We’ve seen membership climb up to pre-2020 level and have had some of our best attended meetings in years! We’re very fortunate to have the past leadership we had, that built up one of the strongest bases to work and experiment from compared to any other GBTA chapter in the country.
One of the things I hope sticks around well after I’m gone is the focus we’ve had on using that strength to support the goals of our current members and volunteers while continuing to build on the base that we inherited.
Some of the ways we did that was by making events free or reducing the cost to you for events whenever we could.
Another way was by increasing our investment via scholarship in the people that make this chapter, the members and volunteers. We saw what happened to business travel 6 years ago and wanted to make sure we were doing our best with what we have in the face of a rapidly changing industry. The last two years we have been able to provide support to any board member or committee chair to attend the GBTA Chapter Leadership Summit to network and share ideas with their counterparts in the other 37 GBTA chapters. It has been a huge benefit to the volunteers involved across all committees as we try to bring the best in what we do. In 2024 we doubled the original annual scholarship budget. In 2026 we will triple it.
The number one reason I’ve heard over the last three years for why someone doesn’t attend a meeting or an event is “my company doesn’t want to pay for it”. Well, we do! We just need you to apply for it. Funding the continuing education of our members is important to us. Scholarship is not just for our events but any kind of continuing education you’re interested in. Find out more here.
These are just a few of the things that the many volunteers that support this chapter have done to make this chapter as accessible as possible to as many people as possible.
It has been great to look back on a few of the many successes (and the places we’ve come up short) over the last 3 years and I look forward to sharing more of them over the next 9 months. We’re in a great place today with so many committed contributors and I look forward to a strong finish while continuing the tradition of leaving a strong base for whoever comes next.
Scholarship Opportunities
Apply for scholarship by April 3rd!
Scholarship is open and offering more funding than ever before to support professional development across the chapter. Open to members in good standing, these scholarships can be applied to a wide range of business travel education opportunities—from GBTA courses and certifications to conferences and local chapter programming—with flexibility to pursue learning beyond listed options. All scholarships must be used by December 15, 2026.
In addition, GBTA Chicago is offering a Direct (Buyer) scholarship open to both members and non-members. This program provides a full year of complimentary membership along with free access to all educational meetings, helping expand access to industry knowledge, career growth, and meaningful connections within the business travel community.
Submit your scholarship application here.
Applications must be submitted by April 3rd 2026 for consideration.
Pathways to Success Program
The GBTA Chicago Chapter is proud to support the Pathways to Success Program, an exciting opportunity for students to attend the GBTA Convention 2026 right here in Chicago.
Apply: Application Link >>
Deadline: April 17th
Spring Social Happy Hour
Register here to join us for the 2026 GBTA Chicago Spring Social, a complimentary happy hour for GBTA Chicago Members and a night of networking with fresh faces and familiar friends. Attendees will receive drink tickets and light bites included in their registration.
April 09, 2026 5:00 PM CDT - 7:00 PM CDT
676 Restaurant & Bar Omni Chicago 676 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611
Lydia Home Volunteer Event
Register here to join us Earth Day April 22nd at Lydia Home! We'll spend our time helping to clean up and set up Lydia Home's space for spring/summer activities.
Agenda:
- 12:30pm-1:00pm: Arrive at Lydia Home; parking can be a challenge in their lot, best to look for street parking/Spothero
- 1:00pm - 4:00pm: Assist Maintenance Team with a variety of tasks
- 4:00pm - 6:00pm: Happy Hour/Networking at ERIS Brewery and Cider House
Additional details:
Dress Code: Closed toed shoes, comfortable clothing.
Register with Lydia Home: https://www.lydiahome.org/volunteer
Group Name: Chicago Business Travel Association
Plus, join us afterwards for happy hour at Eris Brewery and Cider House close by!
About Lydia Home
Lydia Home is a Chicago-based nonprofit that has been serving children and families since 1916. Their mission is to strengthen families to care for children—and to provide safe, supportive care when families cannot. Through programs like foster care, residential treatment, counseling, and family support services, Lydia Home helps children heal from trauma, build stability, and work toward a brighter future.
In Case You Missed It
Active Direct Members (Buyers) will receive complimentary registration for Q1 and Q2 educational meetings in 2026. Please note that this benefit applies only to educational meetings and does not include volunteer activities, social networking events, or fundraising initiatives. We believe this benefit will support your budget management and help you maximize value from this year's programming.
Register for the Quarter 2 Meeting here.
- May 12, 2026 1:00 PM CDT - 6:30 PM CDT
- Willis Tower 233 S Wacker Dr Chicago, IL 60606
Calendar of Events
April 9th: Spring Social Happy Hour - Free for GBTA Chicago Members
April 22nd: Earth Day Volunteer Event & Happy Hour - Free for all
May 12th: GBTA Chicago 2Q Chapter Meeting - Free for Buyer Members
Reminders
As we continue through the year, it's crucial to keep in mind that 2026 marks an election year for GBTA Chicago!
Your participation in this process is vital for the continued success and evolution of our organization. We encourage all eligible members to consider stepping forward as candidates and to participate actively in the election process. As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to get involved!
Stay tuned in the coming months for more information about the nomination procedures, timelines, and opportunities to engage with potential candidates.
Together, let's shape the future of our organization and uphold its values and vision!
