Agenda

8:00 am –

9:00 am 

Expo and Networking breakfast

Start your day by connecting with industry leaders and peers over breakfast—an ideal opportunity to expand your professional network.

9:00 am –

10:45 am 

Main Stage Opening Session

The summit will kick off with an engaging mainstage session featuring thought-provoking speakers and setting the stage for a day of impactful discussions.

Keynote Address

Thriving Through Change: How Leaders Drive Sustainability in Uncertain Times

Kick off the event with Chrissa Pagitsas, a recognized leader in sustainability and business resilience, as she unveils the powerful connection between sustainability and the long-term success of the travel industry. Drawing from her extensive experience across diverse sectors, Chrissa passionately believes that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a critical driver of innovation, growth, and resilience. In this opening main stage session, travel professionals will learn how the strategic advantage of sustainability allows us (and our businesses) to thrive in the face of ever-changing global dynamics.

The AI-powered travel revolution: what’s happening and what’s to come?

• Discover how businesses are using artificial intelligence to optimize their travel programs
• Understand the ways that AI can reduce the environmental impact of business travel through carbon tracking, route optimization, and smarter planning
• Explore the tradeoffs – The environmental impact of data storage vs. AI-powered travel efficiency

Beyond the buzz: What’s actually achievable with new aviation tech?

• Learn about the latest breakthroughs in aviation and climate technology
• Hear from innovators and practitioners as they transform the air travel landscape
• Break down the hype – understand how Net Zero solutions will achieve emissions reduction

10:45 am –

11:30 am 

Coffee break and book signing!

Network with attendees and explore tabletop exhibitors showcasing innovative solutions and services to elevate your sustainability goals. 

Shashank Nigam will be signing 200 free copies of Sustainability in the Air at the Summit for all our attendees! This insightful book, which includes a dedicated chapter on business travel, is a must-read for those passionate about the future of sustainable aviation.

11:30 am –

12:15 pm 

Breakout Education Sessions

Sessions will be running in parallel. Dive deeper into specialized topics, offering actionable insights and opportunities for collaborative learning.      

*Inquire about co-developed session sponsorship opportunities

Breakout 1

HOW TO – Build a SAF strategy

• Learn how are businesses utilizing SAF towards their sustainability goals
• Understand the SAF basics, how to purchase, and how to know whether it’s sustainable
• Hear from buyer case studies on SAF procurement, tracking, and collaboration 

Breakout 2

HOW TO – Become a hotel sustainability data superhero

• Deliver relevant information that gets the action you need from travelers, senior management, and sustainability teams
• Learn how to measure performance against sustainability targets, maximizing the ROI and sustainability of your hotel program
• Gain valuable tips on leveraging sustainability data for strategic partnerships with hotels

Breakout 3

HOW TO – Integrate Rail into Your Corporate Travel Program

• Learn about the current challenges and opportunities in incorporating rail into managed travel programs
• Explore how travel buyers are working to improve access to rail content through booking platforms and data systems
• Hear how the business travel community is engaging with suppliers to make rail a more accessible and practical low-emission option

12:15 pm –

1:30 pm 

Expo and Networking Lunch

Relax and refuel during lunch while continuing to build meaningful connections with other attendees.

1:30 pm –

2:15 pm 

Breakout Education Sessions

Sessions will be running in parallel. Dive deeper into specialized topics, offering actionable insights and opportunities for collaborative learning.

* Inquire for co-developed session sponsorship opportunities

Breakout 4

HOW TO- Put a price on carbon

• Learn the ins and outs of carbon pricing and budgeting and how this can support your sustainability goals
• Hear from buyers who are leading the charge on carbon pricing
• Understand how to track carbon data and work with your C-suite and finance teams  

 Breakout 5

HOW TO – Make your travel program accessible

• Learn about key challenges facing travelers who face a range of accessibility needs
• Understand how to develop more inclusive travel policies and processes
• Hear from suppliers on how they are creating a more accessible travel landscape

  Breakout 6

HOW TO – Go Beyond Emissions: Integrating Nature-Positive Strategies into Your Sustainability Goals

• Explore how sustainability leaders are expanding their focus beyond carbon emissions to include biodiversity, water conservation, and ecosystem protection
• Gain insights from corporate travel buyers who are balancing multiple environmental priorities within their programs
• Learn how to align your sustainability strategy with the unique ecological needs of key travel destinations and drive meaningful impact

2:15 pm –

3:00 pm 

Expo and Coffee Break 

3:00 pm –

4:30 pm 

Main Stage Closing Session 

End the day inspired with a panel discussion and keynote address that will leave you with actionable takeaways for your organization.

Rise to the Challenge: The new sustainable business travel pathway

• Get a first look at the new Acceleration Challenge pathway developed by GBTA Foundation and Accenture
• Understand how to advance sustainability in your travel program by balancing cost, time horizons, and climate impact

Champions for Change: Discussion Hubs on taking actionable steps to transform travel for good

• Connect with leaders and peers to share what you learned throughout the day
• Develop business cases and actionable strategies to take back to your companies

4:30 pm –

5:30 pm 

Networking Reception

Close off the day with a relaxed reception, perfect for forming new partnerships and celebrating the day’s successes.

For bundle registrants attending the GBTA Legislative Summit, the Monuments by Moonlight tour will start at 7:00 pm