GBTA | Chapter Presidents Council

The GBTA Foundation has taken a major step toward transforming business travel with the launch of its Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, revealed at the 3rd GBTA Sustainability Summit in Copenhagen. This first-of-its-kind benchmark provides critical insight into how organizations are progressing in their efforts to decarbonize travel programs. With over 850 attendees, the summit highlighted that while companies are beginning to take action, the global average maturity score of 1.3 out of 5 reminds us that we have a long way to go to meet Net Zero goals by 2050. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, this baseline score is a vital measure of our industry’s progress—and underscores the urgency to turn sustainability commitments into lasting changes. Kudos to the GBTA Foundation team for setting a new benchmark that will drive meaningful, lasting impact! #SustainableTravel #BusinessTravel #ClimateAction #Sustainability

This Thursday’s GBTA CPC Presidents Series, we’re proud to highlight SARAH EURY, the dedicated President of the GBTA | San Antonio Chapter and Executive Director of Facilities and Services for Southwest Research Institute. Sarah brings an exceptional level of commitment and expertise to her chapter, ensuring members gain valuable industry insights, connections, and opportunities. With her dynamic leadership, Sarah actively supports San Antonio’s travel community, bridging resources and ideas to uplift members and inspire collaboration. Her passion for building strong networks and creating meaningful opportunities makes her a true asset to the GBTA family. Thank you, Sarah, for your outstanding work and the positive impact you continue to make on your chapter and the industry! #GBTACPC #GBTAChapterPresidents #BusinessTravel #Leadership #Community #GBTASanAntonio

Presidential Drive - Led by Values, Fueled with Purpose: Meet Heather Parodi the President of the GBTA | Bay Area Chapter and Global Travel Manager, Meetings, and Corporate Card for Ross Stores, Inc.. Heather brings a wealth of experience to the Bay Area chapter, steering initiatives with a unique combination of strategic insight and passion for the travel industry. Heather’s commitment to both professional excellence and community within the GBTA Bay Area Chapter is a true inspiration. Her leadership exemplifies the drive to support local travel professionals, build strong networks, and provide opportunities for growth within our industry. We’re lucky to have such a skilled and dedicated leader on the team! Thank you, Heather! #GBTACPC #Leadership #TravelIndustry #BusinessTravel #GBTA #PresidentialDrive

#TampaBayStrong Here is an opportunity to help support GBTA | Tampa Bay Chapter in their efforts.

We would like to extend a big welcome to Jeremy Diederich, President of our newest GBTA chapter in Las Vegas and Vice President of Travel for Caesars Entertainment Group! Jeremy’s leadership in both the travel industry and the Las Vegas business community is truly inspiring. As VP of Travel for one of the largest entertainment and hospitality companies in the world, he oversees a dynamic, fast-paced travel program that never slows down, even in the city that never sleeps! His deep connection to Las Vegas tourism and entertainment gives him unique insights into the industry’s challenges and opportunities, and he’s committed to sharing that knowledge with the GBTA community. As the newest chapter in the GBTA family, Las Vegas is already benefiting from Jeremy’s forward-thinking approach, bringing fresh energy and ideas to the table. We are excited to see this chapter flourish under his leadership. Thank you, Jeremy, for your incredible leadership and commitment to GBTA. We’re excited to see where your drive takes the Las Vegas chapter next! #GBTACPC #Leadership #TravelIndustry #LasVegas #CaesarsEntertainment #BusinessTravel #GBTA #PresidentialDrive

Today we are featuring Michelle Amos, the President of the GBTA | Puget Sound Chapter and Associate Director of Travel at Qualtrics. Michelle is a true leader in the business travel space, known for her expertise and her commitment to driving excellence in travel management. If you know Michelle well, you’ll also know that she’s “not bossy, but aggressively helpful” — always ready to jump in and make things happen! Her leadership style, both at Qualtrics and with GBTA Puget Sound, is all about collaboration, support, and ensuring everyone around her succeeds. Let’s give a big shoutout to Michelle for her incredible contributions to the travel industry and her dedication to building a strong community through GBTA. #GBTACPC #GBTAChapterPresidents #BusinessTravel #Leadership #Community #PugetSound

Orange is more than just a color—it's a symbol of Dedication, Energy, and Commitment. It’s no coincidence that orange is the color for both GBTA and volunteerism! Two weeks ago, all our GBTA | Chapter Presidents Council gathered in Nashville, proudly wearing orange, representing not only our shared passion for the travel industry but also the countless hours they volunteer for their local chapters. The impact these leaders make on their communities and members is immeasurable. From organizing events, to advocating for industry initiatives, and ensuring continued education, the dedication of these individuals brings immense value to their chapters, and we are so proud of the work they do. The time, effort, and heart they put in is what keeps our organization thriving year after year. Thank you to each and every president for being a true advocate and leader—your contributions matter more than you know! #BusinessTravel #GBTA #Volunteering #Leadership #Community #OrangeStrong #ChapterPresidents #Volunteerism #TravelIndustry

Thursday's post, we’re shining a spotlight on Mindy Owen, the President of the GBTA | Tampa Bay Chapter and Travel & Expense Manager at ConnectWise. With a wealth of experience in travel management, Mindy is a key leader who drives efficiency and innovation in the industry. As the Tampa Bay Chapter President, Mindy is committed to fostering a vibrant community of travel professionals. She prioritizes creating educational opportunities and collaboration within her chapter, helping members navigate the ever-evolving world of business travel. Her dedication to enhancing the member experience truly sets her apart. Join me in celebrating Mindy’s leadership and the positive impact she’s making on both her chapter and the broader travel community. #GBTACPC #GBTAChapterPresidents #BusinessTravel #Leadership #Community #TampaBay

Tuesday’s Presidential Drive Series features Christine Lardizabal, CCTE, GTP, Senior Business Travel Specialist at Maxar Technologies and President of the GBTA | San Diego Chapter . Christine brings passion and dedication to the travel industry, with her extensive experience driving innovation in business travel. As President of the San Diego Chapter, Christine is focused on fostering a strong sense of community, encouraging collaboration, and creating opportunities for education and growth within the travel industry. Her leadership is grounded in her commitment to making a meaningful impact on both the local and global business travel landscape. And on a personal note, if you’re ever in San Diego and spot a pink VW Bug, make sure to check if it’s Christine behind the wheel—she’s always on the move, creating waves in both the travel world and the local community! Join us in celebrating Christine’s accomplishments and dedication to GBTA. We’re excited to see how she continues to lead with vision and purpose, shaping the future of travel. #GBTACPC #GBTAChapterPresidents #BusinessTravel #Leadership #Community #SanDiego

The recent launch of the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus, led by Senators Jerry Moran, Tammy Duckworth, John Boozman, and Amy Klobuchar, is a major step forward in advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and driving sustainability in business travel. This development underscores the critical role of the U.S. Legislative Advisory Council (LAC) in educating members and advocating for essential initiatives like SAF. The LAC’s efforts in raising awareness of travel-related topics in Congress and the Senate are indispensable to the future of our industry. By informing our members about key issues like SAF and tirelessly advocating to lawmakers, they help shape the policies that directly impact business travel. The work they do behind the scenes truly paves the way for sustainable progress in aviation and beyond. I also want to highlight that four of our very own CPC Presidents—Samantha Bean GTP®, GLP®, Kristen Reeves, CCTE, Becky Schlereth, and Michele Wilson, GTP—are members of the LAC, actively contributing to these initiatives that benefit the entire business travel industry. As business travel professionals, we know the importance of staying engaged with legislative efforts like this. It’s critical to support and advocate for policies that positively influence the future of travel. SAF is just one of the many innovations that will shape our industry's future, and we are fortunate to have passionate leaders in the LAC driving these conversations forward. A huge thank you to Shane Downey and the U.S. Legislative Advisory Council and all of the advocates involved in pushing these critical issues to the forefront! #SustainableAviation #BusinessTravel #SAF #Sustainability #LegislativeAdvocacy #TravelIndustry #CPCLeadership