Business travel industry unites at 2026 GBTA Convention

Over 5,500 attendees from 47 countries gathered at Chicago’s McCormick Place this week for the Global Business Travel Association’s 2026 convention with the focus on discussions on the future of business travel this past week.

Business travel buyers, suppliers, innovators, policymakers, volunteer leaders and partners were on hand for the event that brought together close to 1,200 buyers from 681 companies representing more than $46 billion USD in self-reported annual travel spend.

As well, the GBTA’s annual convention also featured nearly 400 exhibitors and over 1,300 first-time attendees, reflecting the continued strength, resilience and evolution of the global business travel community.

And the Convention delivered an estimated $18.5 million in economic impact to the local Chicago area.

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, observed that: “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.”

Neufang continued: “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.”

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.

Centered on the themes of Our Selves, Our Organizations and Our World, GBTA Convention 2026 reflected the association’s commitment to strengthening the industry through community, learning, advocacy, innovation, sustainability and professional development.

GBTA Convention 2026 featured almost 90 education sessions across 17 tracks and more than 250 peer-reviewed speakers and presenters, offering practical insights and best practices for business travel professionals across every segment of the industry.

Programming highlighted GBTA’s expanding learning pathways and professional development resources, including Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management, Strategic Meetings Management, Sustainable Travel Management and Supplier Essentials. GBTA also showcased its new on-demand GBTA Learning and Community+ digital platforms, both designed to help business travel professionals access education, resources and peer connection throughout the year.

Main Stage sessions featured GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang and GBTA Board President Rosemary Maloney, along with keynote speakers and industry leaders including Frances Frei, Anne Morriss, Chef José Andrés, Jia Jiang and executives from across the travel ecosystem.

Together, these sessions explored leadership, resilience, innovation, business transformation and social impact, while examining how organizations can navigate change, strengthen travel programs, better understand traveler needs and demonstrate the enduring value of in-person connections.

During Convention, GBTA unveiled the 2026 GBTA Business Travel Index, made possible by Visa. The 18th edition of the report forecasts global business travel spending to reach a record $1.71 trillion USD in 2026, with the number of business trips worldwide expected to surpass 1.84 billion.

While underlying demand remains resilient, the forecast reflects a more complex operating environment shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, energy-related cost pressures and a moderating global economic outlook.

Go to www.GBTA.org for more on its 2026 Convention in Chicago.