The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) held its annual Convention this past July in Boston. The event had the largest attendance in its 44-year history, with 6,671 attendees total. Over 400 exhibitors displayed on the trade show floor, among them over 30-odd chauffeured transportation companies.

The GBTA Convention continues to be a powerful event for the travel industry, and each year the participation from chauffeured transportation companies—both as attendees and exhibitors—continues to climb. For those who want to attract corporate clientele, this is a can’t-miss event. “For Tristar, GBTA has historically been an opportunity to meet with our large existing customers efficiently and easily,” says Mike Fogarty, CEO of Tristar North America. “It's an expensive proposition to exhibit, but with more than 30 limousine companies exhibiting and many more attending, companies must realize the value.”

It was a historic moment for the GBTA as both former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were keynote speakers. Bush spoke candidly about leadership, his time in office, and the decision-making process. He also discussed global events and the economy. Clinton discussed the current globalized political and economic landscape, saying, “The future looks good for business travel.” He added that there is a need to exchange ideas and meet face-to-face to spur innovations.

The GBTA also announced the launch of its new GBTA Media Group, which hopes to have a presence across various platforms. The first phase will be Global Business Travel, a magazine that will be published in January 2013.

Next year’s Convention will be August 4-7 in San Diego, Calif.

For more information, visit www.gbta.org. LD09/12