GBTA to launch in France

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTAGlobal Business Travel Association: formerly the NBTA (National Business Travel Association) and renamed in February 2011. It provides its members (business travel management professionals) with education and information) is to launch an association in France.

GBTA France will be the global group’s first owned chapter in Europe where it is seeking to expand its presence.

The new association will be headed by Yann Le Goff, sourcing director – indirect materials operations and services for the Sidel Group, as president for an initial two year term.

Jean Pierre Drioux, travel manager at AXA, will be general secretary and Paul Tilstone, GBTA chief global development officer and European managing director, will be treasurer.

Plans have alresdy been made for GBTA France to hold educational forums, benchmarking groups and industry events.

The aim, GBTA said,  is to create a network of travel professionals in France, including buyers and suppliers,  and to develop furher the Francophone network which GBTA launched last year for French-speaking Canadians and Africans.

There is already an association for French buyer, L’Association Francaise des Travel Managers (AFTM).

GBTA had talks with its members last year but the body decided to ally with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTEAssociation of Corporate Travel Executives: A non-profit association that represents the global business travel industry. It provides executive-level educational programmes and carries out independent industry research. Its members come from all areas of business travel - from corporate buyers to suppliers. Provides members with a forum for sharing ideas and also offers independent advice. ).

Le Goff said: “We are so delighted that GBTA has committed to plans to create a leading association in this region.

“There is a real need for substantial education, benchmarking and training for France’s travel buyers and suppliers and I look forward to serving the industry.”