The Travel Professional’s Information to GBTA 2026 – Direct Travel

GBTA Convention 2026 is almost right here, bringing greater than 5,000 enterprise journey professionals to Chicago. With greater than 100 training periods, an expansive expo ground, and numerous alternatives to attach, three days can replenish shortly.

The conference additionally offers attendees a firsthand have a look at the concepts and know-how shaping the way forward for managed journey. This 12 months Direct Travel will show the newest capabilities of Avenir, our superior journey administration platform.

With a lot to discover at GBTA, a little preparation can go a long way. Whether you’re attending for the primary time or returning with a transparent listing of priorities, use these tricks to construct a extra centered and rewarding conference expertise.

Build Your GBTA Game Plan

Before arriving at McCormick Place, take a while to determine what you wish to accomplish. Are you searching for new concepts to strengthen your journey program? Exploring know-how companions? Hoping to reconnect with business friends or meet others dealing with comparable challenges?

Once you already know your objectives, begin shaping your schedule:

• Review the agenda prematurely: Identify the matters most related to your group and save these periods within the GBTA Convention app. The app additionally offers entry to speaker particulars, the expo ground plan, attendee messaging, and occasion updates.
• Schedule necessary conferences early: Calendars replenish shortly throughout GBTA. Reach out to companions, friends, and answer suppliers forward of time so your most beneficial conversations don’t get left to likelihood.
• Leave room for discovery: A full schedule might look productive on paper, however a number of the finest concepts and connections occur unexpectedly. Build in time to discover the expo corridor, proceed a dialog after a session, or take a much-needed break.
• Prepare for lengthy days: Comfortable sneakers, a refillable water bottle, a transportable charger, and some snacks could make a noticeable distinction when transferring between periods and networking occasions.

Choose Sessions That Support Your Priorities

GBTA’s training program covers a variety of matters affecting enterprise journey immediately. Rather than attempting to attend every thing, deal with the conversations that align most carefully along with your group’s present objectives or challenges.

Direct Travel leaders will lead two periods on Wednesday, August 5. Both will provide well timed views on the know-how and methods which might be shaping trendy journey administration.

The Modern Travel Program Lab: Beyond Theory, What Actually Works

Wednesday, August 5
9:15–10:00 a.m. | Room S402

This interactive workshop will discover how journey leaders are utilizing information, analytics, and AI to stability value, traveler expertise, innovation, and danger. Attendees will acquire concepts for bettering visibility and navigating the calls for of more and more complicated international applications.

Innovation and the Pursuit of the “Perfect Business Trip”

Wednesday, August 5
9:15–10:00 a.m. | Room S406a

Drawing on GBTA analysis, this session will look at rising developments in enterprise journey. The dialog will cowl AI, lodge distribution, the way forward for international journey applications, and what these developments imply for journey managers.

Add these periods to your schedule and explore the complete GBTA 2026 agenda.

Let the Expo Hall Work for You

The expo ground is likely one of the finest locations to find new options, evaluate approaches, and have direct conversations about your program. Before you arrive, review the floor plan and make a brief listing of precedence stops, together with Direct Travel at Booth #2105.

Our staff shall be obtainable all through the conference to debate how organizations can enhance the traveler expertise, develop entry to content material, strengthen international consistency, and acquire clearer visibility throughout their applications. At our sales space, you’ll see how we’re bringing collectively trendy know-how, international experience, and distinctive service.

While you’re there, you’ll additionally be capable to gather a real PlaneTag handcrafted from a retired plane. It is a singular alternative to carry dwelling a small piece of aviation historical past!

See Avenir in Action

A conference demo ought to do greater than introduce a listing of options, however moderately provide help to perceive how an answer might deal with the challenges inside your journey program.

Throughout GBTA, our staff will host stay demonstrations exhibiting how Avenir brings collectively content material, information, insights, instruments, and experience by way of a single expertise. Attendees will be capable to discover how the platform offers one safe place to entry reporting, journey sources, program insights, and built-in companion capabilities, together with new methods to show journey information into clearer, quicker solutions.

During a demo, you will notice how Avenir helps organizations:

• Manage extra of their journey program by way of one safe login
• Ask questions in pure language and obtain trusted solutions in seconds
• Better perceive spend, traveler exercise, and coverage efficiency
• Support vacationers by way of a related international expertise and constant customary of care

Review the demo schedule earlier than the conference and choose the session that finest matches your pursuits. You may also schedule time with the Direct Travel team for a extra customized dialog about your program.

Plan Your Evenings With Purpose

The conference might wind down every afternoon, however the conversations typically proceed effectively into the night. Receptions and after-hours occasions provide a extra relaxed setting to reconnect with colleagues and kind new relationships.

Check which occasions require advance registration and go away sufficient time between your closing daytime dedication and night plans.

On Monday August 3, Direct Travel and our companions will host the Windy City Social Club. The night will function elevated meals and cocktails, skyline views, interactive experiences, and a members-only speakeasy. Space is proscribed, and an RSVP is required.

Make Your Time at GBTA Count

The most rewarding conference experiences stability preparation with flexibility. Establish your objectives, go away area for sudden conversations, and are available able to be taught from the folks and views transferring enterprise journey ahead.

Before heading to Chicago, visit the Direct Travel GBTA 2026 page to discover our demo schedule, featured training periods, and extra. We stay up for seeing you at Booth #2105.