THE NATIONAL BUSINESS TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (NBTA) will next year change its name to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). President and chief executive, Craig Banikowski, said the foundation of NBTA Europe earlier this year meant the organisation now had a truly global footprint, rendering the word National redundant. An exact date for the name change has yet to be set, but it will be formally in place before next year's convention in Denver, Colorado.
The US-based NBTA already has regional groups in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. Banikowski said: "Our industry continues to evolve, and our jobs are evolving as well. Just as we have all changed our thinking about our jobs in recent years, our association must shift its thinking. "My primary strategic focus is taking NBTA from being a national organisation to being a truly global business group that gives you seamless access to best-in-class resources, information and the global network you need - anytime, anyplace."