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Craig Banikowski

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"Heading to S. America"
By Craig Banikowski

"Travel Management in the
21st Century"
By Craig Banikowski

1/8/2010

From "International" to "Global"

This week NBTA kicked off the new decade with a major announcement -- the launch of NBTA Europe. When I started as NBTA President in August 2009, I talked about my commitment to developing NBTA as a global community of excellence. With a lot of hard work by a lot of people, I'm proud to see the vision becoming a reality so quickly. GLOBALIZATION at work!

NBTA Europe launched with six Founding Partners -- all national associations in Europe. Their members become members of the NBTA family, bringing about 2,000 new business travel professionals into NBTA, including 1,100 buyers. NBTA was already "internationalized" -- offering members the world's largest business travel network, including the largest number of buyer members in North America, Latin America, and Australia. Now your NBTA network also includes the largest group of travel buyers and strategic meetings managers in Europe - the world's second largest market.

This is all part of the plan to ensure that all aspects of global travel management, from business travel to meetings and events, to government travel, including sports travel and anything else that comes along as part of the “new normal” are covered by our association. We will do what's needed to meet industry needs. We have the resources, the drive, the leadership, and most importantly YOU, the members of NBTA, that will help ensure our collective continued success.

Am I being a bit proud? YOU BET! I am extremely proud of this organization, both what it represents as well as what it has done for both myself and so many of my peers. And I look forward to additional challenges!

Remember: Singularly we have impact – collectively we can change the world……

Cheers,

Craig

Posted at 3:30 PM by Craig Banikowski | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

12/14/2009

International Visitors in Virginia!

Hi - I wanted to give a shout-out to Tyiesha Thaxton, President of the Northern Virginia BTA! Their chapter recently hosted a group of travel managers and industry professionals from Denmark!

Thanks to all that participated, and welcome to our Danish Direct member counter-parts! It's true - the world is getting flatter!

Attending from NVBTA were the following NBTA members...

Company	Last Name	First Name
Deltek, Inc.	Mayr	Karoline
Datatel, Inc.	Roth	Jane
AARP	Jefferson	Cynthia
Finra	McDowell	Carol
Management Concepts	Kirchhoff	Julie
A.T. Kearney	Kelly	Brenda
AOL Time Warner	Patton	Pam
Hughes Network Systems	Tiu	Ron
Booze Allen Hamilton	Lever	Jack
Discovery Channel Communications	Sison	Yukari

Great job on helping to create more global awareness of what we as travel professionals do!

- Craig

Posted at 10:46 AM by Craig Banikowski | Category: U.S. Chapters | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

12/1/2009

Post-Turkey Thoughts...

Those of us in the U.S. just had our Thanksgiving holiday, a time when we eat too much turkey and give thanks for the blessings in our lives. In that spirit, I would like to extend a special thanks to you, NBTA's members, customers, and sponsors!

We at NBTA are thankful for those who participate in and support the organization. Your involvement helps us support you in both good times and challenging time. Your dedication helps NBTA continue to advance the corporate travel community.

One example of an actively involved member organization is Virgin Australia. When I was asked to speak at this year's NBTA Asia Pacific Regional Business Travel Conference in Australia, Virgin Australia stepped forward to make my trip possible. Not only did I have a have a great experience at the conference, but I had a great trip there and back. Special kudos to Virgin Australia -- the flight crew was simply awesome, and what a product!

Thank again for the special role you play in this industry and this association. As a community, with colleagues and friends, our industry has come together to learn from one another, embrace challenges and change, and show the world the value of business travel.

All the best,

Craig

Posted at 10:28 AM by Craig Banikowski | Category: Big Picture | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

11/6/2009

It's all about change

As we rapidly approach the year end with holidays in sight, and projects yet to complete, I have started thinking about the year that has literally vanished before my eyes. Yes, this past year in our industry truly has been about change....for many it's been a tough year, myself included! We are all expected to do more with less, embrace change with a smile, adapt to new business conditions, and more. Can we do it? You bet we can! This industry has proven its resilience - we can and will adapt. We've taken on procurement, meetings, metrics and more, and we will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our businesses!

Change is also a theme for NBTA's business. Many of you know that besides a new Executive Director & COO, our dear friend Mike McCormick, we also have a primarily new Board! Additionally, the NBTA Foundation Board will transition to a new Chair and new Board members in January. Given these leadership changes, I asked our seasoned veteran volunteer leader Scott Solombrino to stay on for another two-year term as head of the Allied Leadership Council. Having someone that I can lean on that has some of the "tribal knowledge" about NBTA is critical as we ramp up NBTA's globalization efforts. Kevin Maguire, our Chairman, also helps both Jim and I as we navigate our way through the sometimes choppy waters in our efforts to continue the great work that has gone on over the past several years. These efforts will continue to enable NBTA to provide you, our valued members, the necessary tools for your success as we march towards another year - the last year of the first decade of the 21st Century. Here's to change - love it or hate it, we're all living it....cheers friends!!

- Craig

Posted at 9:37 AM by Craig Banikowski | Category: Big Picture; NBTA Global Operations | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

11/3/2009

OMG! I'm blogging....

Well....this has only taken me 66 days to get going on! It has truly been a whirlwind since I took office as NBTA President & CEO in San Diego this year! From the NBTA Convention I left for Canberra, Australia, then headed to Seattle, then London, followed by Bangkok, intermingled with trips to Alexandria, VA and Los Angeles. Each trip gave me opportunities to meet with NBTA members and partners, as well as volunteer leadership and staff of our regional affiliates. And of course, this is in addition to my day job as Director, Global Travel Management, Supply Management, Hilton Worldwide ... whew! But it's all been great, because there are tremendous opportunities for NBTA to continue growing and improving to even better serve our industry, and because Hilton has been so supportive!

So rather than try and write a huge blog now, I thought I would simply start from my most recent news, and interlace the past few months along the way - does that work for you?

ALC - yes, the NBTA Allied Leadership Council met in Denver, Colorado during what can only be described as a late October massive snowfall. Everyone arrived with a travel story, and then there were those that had a story - but didn't make it! But for those that were on hand, it was a wonderful meeting hosted by the venerable Brown Palace Hotel! It was a super time and many challenges were discussed. More later - stay tuned my friends!!!

- Craig

Posted at 6:01 PM by Craig Banikowski | Category: Big Picture; NBTA Global Operations | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/13/2009

The Latest NBTA-ACTE Merger Buzz

As you may have read in the trade media, the Association for Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Board last week published a press release proposing a merger with NBTA. The move comes two months after the ACTE Board rejected a previous merger proposal. The turnaround has led to some confusion in the marketplace and questions about the current status of merger discussions, so I want to share NBTA's thinking.

NBTA is always open to constructive discussions with any organization about jointly advancing the industry, so I applaud the ACTE Board for its change of heart and its new apparent willingness to consider a merger.

As we evaluate the proposal, the NBTA Board's first duty is to you -- our members and supporters who have made NBTA the largest and most successful business travel organization in the world. With that in mind, you should know that in the two months since the NBTA Board voted unanimously to support the previous merger proposal, new developments have raised important questions about ACTE's financial viability and about how the organization does business. Most notably, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) pulled out of a previously announced strategic alliance with ACTE, and did so in the midst of PCMA's own due diligence process. NBTA's support of a merger with ACTE has always been contingent upon the completion of due diligence, and this latest development reinforces the need for NBTA to ensure we do not take on major liabilities that would ultimately burden our constituents around the globe.

Further, I'm troubled by the current ACTE leadership's approach to merger "discussions." The proposal made last week was sent to reporters before it was sent to NBTA, and we first learned about it from members of the press, not from ACTE. Just as you expect to work with your business partners in good faith, so does NBTA. This "negotiation by press release" approach does not bode well for a process that should be designed to create new, positive thinking to benefit our industry.

NBTA will give fair consideration to the proposal, with the ever-present goal of creating the strongest possible NBTA to benefit our members and the industry at large, while also keeping in mind the concerns outlined here.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing many of you at the NBTA International Convention & Exposition in San Diego , August 23-26. Despite the pressures of the current economy -- and unlike other industry events held this year -- the Convention is poised to be one of the largest in NBTA history. I hope you'll join thousands of your colleagues at The Business Travel Event of the Year^SM!

- Kevin

Posted at 9:37 AM by Kevin Maguire | Category: NBTA Global Operations; Industry Views | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/31/2009

CTE Continues to Go Global

The United States. Canada. Mexico. France. Thailand. This is a list of some of the many of the countries where NBTA has presented its "Fundamentals of Business Travel Management" course, resulting in many people being able to say that they are a CTE, or Corporate Travel Expert. You can now add Singapore and Hong Kong to the list of countries.

I was fortunate enough to be asked to facilitate the courses there. Joining me in the facilitation was Rob Dell from FCm Travel Solutions in Sydney, Australia. It was great to partner with him. We were delighted to present the course to more than 100 attendees in the two locations.

The attendees in Singapore and Hong Kong represented a broad mix of travel buyers and suppliers. Buyers were from diverse companies and had a mix of experience. It should be noted that many of the attendees represented companies that were locally or regionally based. Rob and I jammed a lot of content into our one-day courses and I really appreciate how our students hung in all day. What was most rewarding was seeing the networking. At every break, the rooms were abuzz with the sound of people connecting. It was very exciting.

At the end of each day, attendees faced the CTE exam. I'm glad I wasn't in their shoes! I am, however, pleased to report that we have about 100 new CTEs in this part of the world. Congratulations to each of them!

Undertakings like these are not possible without our supplier partners. I am most grateful to Amadeus, especially Lisa Akeroyd and her team, for all their support and work on these two events. Shangri-La Hotels were our hosts in both cities and they did a wonderful job. The room we met in in the Island Shangi-La in Hong Kong was on the 56th floor and its views of the Harbour were simply unforgettable!

And speaking of unforgettable, you must try chilli crab when you are in Singapore. Don't let the word "chilli" throw you - there's nothing cool about it. It's a fiery, messy, wonderfully delicious dish. It's amazingly good.

I'm looking forward to seeing so many of you in San Diego. Just under four weeks to go! Can you believe it? I'll see you soon.

- Michael

Posted at 12:35 PM by Michael Lyons | Category: Asia | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/13/2009

Sports Task Force Elevated to Committee Status

First meeting of the
NBTA Sports Task Force

After the last meeting of the NBTA Sports Task Force at the headquarters of the National Football League, I would be remiss not bringing the NBTA membership up-to-date on the work of the Task Force. The much belated need in addressing sports-related travel issues has drawn unprecedented interest from all parts of the travel industry and the sports community.

The NBTA Board of Directors voted to make the Task Force a full-fledged, permanent NBTA Committee beginning after the International Convention & Exposition in San Diego, August 23-26. The Task Force has also embarked on addressing its first major industry challenge by asking airlines to help find a more efficient method of checking in traveling college and pro teams. The current process is time consuming, confusing and expensive for everyone. The cost and waste of time is a major concern of sports organizations.

In addition, as the Task Force transits into a full committee, supplier members, international representation and media groups involved in sports coverage (and who have the same challenges with sports-related travel) will be considered for additional places on the new committee. Again, the interest in sports-related travel issues comes from all parts of the world and from companies that have participate, even in small ways, with sports travel.

Further, the Sports Task Force is working with the NBTA Education department to develop educational programming tailored to meet the unique needs of the sports travel community. Watch for details over the coming year.

And finally, my thanks to Nikki Watson of the NCAA for doing an unbelievable job bringing this high-level group together. The professional level of the members and the objectives of the Sports Task Force have certainly got the attention of the travel and sports communities.

- Kevin

Posted at 10:43 AM by Kevin Maguire | Category: Industry Views | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/8/2009

San Diego? Yes, you should be there!

This year's NBTA International Convention & Exposition -- August 23-26 in San Diego -- offers the best General Session speakers and education programs in the history of the National Business Travel Association. Registration is on track with last year's record-breaking attendance...but, I know many members are still on the fence about being able or allowed to attend.

Companies are looking more closely at the Return on Investment (ROI) of meetings and events. Convention programs are under even greater scrutiny. So, what is the "take-back" from the NBTA Convention? What can you tell your boss??

Let's start with networking. If you wanted a place where you could share ideas with peers, learn new methods, processes, etc., from others in the travel industry, and if you wanted a place where you could meet face to face with travel managers and decision makers on the supplier side...the NBTA Convention would be the place. It doesn't matter how long you have been in the industry, your level of expertise, your title.....you have the opportunity to meet, mingle and share your views with over 5,000 members of the travel industry. Want to try and measure that value? It's priceless.

How about education? Even those of us who have been in the industry for a number of years benefits from the educational tracks offered at the NBTA Convention. You get quality programs, quality panelists , discussion from airline CEOs and information that can be used immediately by your company and your travel program -- all across more than 65 sessions offered in five convenient time slots. Asking for value and return? There it is again.

The General Session speakers this year are incredible. Where can you sit and listen to a former U.S. President; an Olympic Champion with an unbelievable story of success and perseverance; an airline executive and industry maverick that has built not one, but many successful airlines and businesses; and an airline captain, an American hero, who demonstrated strength, bravery and expertise while landing a plane in the Hudson River? The 2009 NBTA Convention!

The ROI is there. Travel buyers who attended the NBTA Convention in 2007 and 2008 report that their attendance has helped them save their companies on average 11% of the annual T&E budget. Think about what that could mean for your company. To learn more and do the math, see www.nbtaconvention.org/ROI.

Okay, granted I am biased in favor of this event. But, really, where could a company or you as a professional find better value in a meeting situation? A job only gets stale and you only feel old when you stop learning. To learn more about the reasons attend, visit the NBTA Convention website. If your boss still has questions, have them call me.

Don't be left behind...register for San Diego and be a part of the Business Travel Event of the Year (SM).

- Kevin

Posted at 12:37 PM by Kevin Maguire | Category: U.S. Events | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/7/2009

Washington Is Listening

picture: Capital

This June marked the Seventh Annual Legislative Summit sponsored by the National Business Travel Association. In a period of a down economy and when the travel industry is suffering from reduced levels of travel, the travel industry message had to be heard on Capitol Hill.

The opportunity for NBTA members to meet with Members of the U.S. Congress and the Senate allowed direct, one-on-one discussions about the state of the industry. Too often, travel has become the "pot of gold" for raising tax revenues...as seen with many of the airline ticket taxes, car and hotel taxes, and user fees. Additionally, the Administration earlier this year questioned the need for meetings and statements were made that caused a significant reduction in both planned meetings by companies and travel in general. These topics were the primary focal points for attendees of the 2009 NBTA Legislative Summit.

Attendance at this year's Summit far exceed expectations, with over 60 NBTA members scheduling meetings with their Senators and Representatives. More importantly, those elected officials were listening, being educated about what is really going on in travel, how many jobs are generated by the travel industry and the things they need to change to make the U.S. travel industry strong again.

Washington was listening...and their actions are already beginning to generate results. I guess we could all sit around complaining and waiting for someone else to push for change...but, that never works. The Legislative Summit was a positive push in the right direction, and NBTA will continue to play an active role in helping to make the industry better.

- Kevin

Posted at 9:28 AM by Kevin Maguire | Category: Industry Views | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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