Congratulations to Chicago BTA Leaders

NBTA Convention in Boston on July 22-25:  A lot has happened since our last newsletter but the most exciting news for Chicago BTA is that our very own Michael Lyons, Manager of Travel Services at HSBC, was elected Vice President on the NBTA Board of Directors at the recent NBTA Convention.  Michael recently transferred to our chapter from the Los Angeles BTA and we’re fortunate to have him as an active member of Chicago BTA.  In addition, “wow” is all I can say about the representation by Chicago BTA at the NBTA Convention!  Illinois had almost 300 attendees – 111 members of Chicago BTA and 171 non-members.

2007 NBTA Business Travel Professional Service Award:  Chicago BTA was honored to have two of its board members named as recipients of this prestigious award – Guy Parker, Chairman (O’Hare-Midway Limousine, Inc.) and Cindy Gillen, First Vice President (BDO Seidman LLP).  This award is presented to only ten individuals each year from throughout the United States who are selected from a maximum of two nominations from each of the 42 local chapters of NBTA.

Guy and Cindy received their awards during the Chapter Chat reception held in Boston on July 24.  I know everyone joins me in sending Guy and Cindy our sincere congratulations!  Other winners of the Business Travel Professional Service Award included:

·      Kari Schroeder Bigot, North Central BTA

·      Pam Downey, Puget Sound BTA

·      David Kreindel, Puget Sound BTA

·      Kerin McKinnon, New Jersey BTA

·      Timothy B. Nall, Virginia BTA

·      Melinda Ryals, CCTE, Tennessee BTA

·      Debbie Welder, Utah BTA

·      James Wilkins, Georgia BTA

Professional Development:  There is nothing more important than professional development which is why the #1 goal of Chicago BTA is to provide quality education programs to its members.  As a local chapter of NBTA, we’re fortunate that NBTA and the NBTA Foundation also offers three levels of education opportunities to further professional development.  I encourage all members to take advantage of these programs.  If budgets are tight within your company for these types of programs, keep in mind that there are many scholarships available.  If you applied for a scholarship in the past and didn’t win, don’t be discouraged.  Keep applying.  I know you will find participation in these programs rewarding both from the education content and from the new friends and associates you will acquire through the process. 

• Fundamentals of Business Travel Management/CTE: An introductory course and designation for corporate travel professionals (travel management 101).  For more information: http://www.nbta.org/Education/Fundamentals/

• Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE): A certification course for corporate travel professionals; designed for professionals with at least two years of experience in the business travel field.   To earn the CCTE designation, participants must complete two five-day core week sessions held at The University of Houston Conrad Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management, attend five elective courses and pass a final exam. Program sessions focus on financial management techniques, control procedures and business strategies in order to better design travel programs that help companies meet strategic goals.  For more information:  http://www.nbta.org/Education/CertificationCCTE/

• Global Leadership Professional (GLP):  The only master’s-level education for corporate travel professionals offered in conjunction with The Wharton School of Business.  The focus of the GLP Program is strategic.  The program aims to provide individuals with the keys to create value for corporations and customers, and to inspire professional achievement.  Participants must successfully complete four sessions within a 24 month period, including at least one session in three of the four main competencies – leadership, management, finance and marketing, and includes a week at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. For more information: http://www.nbta.org/Education/GlobalLeadershipProgram/.

Congratulations to the following members of Chicago BTA for their dedication to continuing their professional development through completion of the GLP or CCTE programs or for receiving scholarships for those programs.  Chicago BTA is very proud of all of you.

Graduates of 2007 Global Leadership Professional Program:

Cheryl Geib, CCTE, Grant Thornton LLP

Cynthia Gillen, CCTE, CPM, BDO Seidman LLP

Graduates of 2007 Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE):

Rebecca Allen, CCTE, Stepan

Nick Wambach, CCTE, Swissotel

Scholarship from NBTA Foundation for Five-Day Session for GLP:

Michael Lyons, CCTE, HSBC

Scholarship from NBTA Foundation toward CCTE:

Trish Johnson, William Blair & Company

Faye Neville, Mintel International Group

Vivian Smith, Tower Travel Management

Scholarship from Chapter Presidents Council - Mina White ($1,000):

Cynthia Gillen, CCTE, C.P.M., BDO Seidman LLP

Chicago BTA Scholarship Opportunities:  Chicago BTA will be awarding scholarship monies at the fourth quarter meeting. Stay tuned for more information on the application process and deadline.

Upcoming Events:  Please mark your calendars for the following events:

· 9/12/07:  The Q3 Chapter Meeting is being held on September 12^th at the Palmer House Hilton.  The content will focus on Corporate Social Responsibility and we will hold our 1^st Annual Technology Showcase.

· 9/26/07:  MPI luncheon held in conjunction with ITME at McCormick Place

· 11/1/07:  Direct Member Roundtable (location TBD)

Thanks for your continued support of Chicago BTA. I’m committed to ensuring that Chicago BTA is a valuable resource to all of its members in their professional growth and development.  If you have ideas that you’d like to share or if you’re interested in serving on a committee, please let me know.  The strength of our association rests with the continued involvement of its members.

Carole Liberti, President

Chicago Business Travel Association