GBTA Announces United Airlines' Jeffery Smisek as Featured Speaker at GBTA Convention 2014

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Mar 05, 2014, 10:01 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – today announced Jeffery A. Smisek, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of United Airlines, will be a featured speaker at Center Stage at the GBTA Convention 2014 to be held July 26-30 in Los Angeles, Calif.

"GBTA's convention has become synonymous with industry leadership and is recognized as a 'must attend' for people throughout the travel world," said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO, GBTA. "This year continues that tradition by welcoming speakers like Jeffery Smisek, giving our attendees unique insight from one of the most influential people in travel today."

Jeffery Smisek is Chairman, President and CEO of United Airlines. United and its United Express regional partner airlines operate nearly 5,500 flights a day to more than 370 airports across six continents. He began his prestigious career at Continental Airlines, Inc. where he was the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. He was also named Aviation Week's Person of the Year for 2010.

The 2014 Convention theme, Business in Motion, aptly describes how the event will unfold as nearly 7,000 attendees from all facets of the business travel industry come together for five days of continuous motion at the business travel event of the year. GBTA will broadcast LIVE from the LA Convention Center, bringing you world-class keynote speakers, more than 70 industry-leading education sessions, the largest business travel expo floor, a wide selection of professional development opportunities and much more providing attendees the opportunity to build their careers and get business done.

Attendee registration is open now. New programs and speakers will be unveiled throughout 2014. U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole will also deliver an industry keynote during GBTA Convention 2014. For the latest developments and more information, please visit gbta.org/convention.

Media registration is complimentary and available online.

About GBTA Convention
The GBTA Convention, with nearly 7,000 attendees, is the largest, most comprehensive annual gathering of business travel and meetings managers, meeting planners, procurement professionals and suppliers anywhere in the world. The Business Travel Event of the Year ® features: more than 70 industry-leading education sessions organized into 20+ specialized tracks geared to specific levels of experience and a variety of disciplines; a 400+ company Exposition showcasing market choices not available at other industry gatherings; sessions featuring world-renowned speakers and industry leaders; a wide selection of professional development opportunities; and, much more. For more information on the GBTA Convention, visit gbta.org/convention.

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA's 6,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 21,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy. For more information, visit gbta.org

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SOURCE Global Business Travel Association