The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) welcomed more than 5,500 attendees from 47 countries to its GBTA Convention 2026 earlier this month at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. The event, the largest for the business travel industry, includes travel buyers, suppliers, innovators, policymakers, volunteer leaders, and partners.
Throughout the three-day event, attendees explored the trends, technologies, and workforce dynamics reshaping business travel, while sharing practical strategies for managing programs in an increasingly complex global environment. The convention featured more than 90 education sessions
According to the association, the convention also delivered an estimated $18.5 million in economic impact to the local Chicago area.
GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
“GBTA Convention continues to be where the global business travel industry comes together to understand what’s changing, build meaningful connections and shape what’s next,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “This year’s gathering reinforced the essential role business travel plays in driving economic growth and cooperation around the world, while helping organizations and professionals adapt, innovate and lead through change.”
During the event, GBTA also released its 2026 Business Travel Index, which forecasts global business travel spending will reach a record $1.71 trillion in 2026, with business trips expected to surpass 1.84 billion worldwide. The forecast notes that geopolitical uncertainty, energy-related cost pressures and a moderating global economy continue to shape the market. The BTI Executive Summary is available through GBTA Research.
The National Limousine Association (NLA), which also had a booth at the convention, announced preliminary findings of its latest report on the impacts of illegal operators on the business travel ecosphere. The data found that unsuspecting business travelers who use these often unlicensed and underinsured providers open up the duty-of-care risks that put their traveling professionals in jeopardy. The report included ways that business travel buyers can spot these fraudulent operators and keep their professionals safe. NLA First Vice President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide shared the findings during the GBTA’s media day. The details of the preliminary report can be read here.
The NLA team had a booth at the GBTA Convention
GBTA VentureConnect returned for its second annual Convention program, connecting travel technology startups with investors, business travel buyers, and industry experts. Attendees selected Nowadays, presented by co-founder Anna Sun, as the winning startup, earning a $5,000 award.
The inaugural GBTA Foundation Gala brought more than 250 industry leaders and guests to Chicago’s Field Museum, where the Foundation recognized leaders through its Impact Awards and raised $83,250 for the NextGen Program and Fund, which provides career-entry scholarships for students.
Next up for GBTA includes regional conferences in Mexico City, Vienna, Toronto and Singapore, before returning to the U.S. for GBTA Convention 2027 in San Diego, Aug. 2-4, and Convention 2028 in Philadelphia, July 25-27. Additional Convention video content will be available on GBTA’s YouTube channel.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[08.11.26]
