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2017 Issue I 
President's Report
We are in exciting times, as the travel industry continues to evolve in 2017 at a rapid pace so does GBTARM, and the value of strategic planning is more important than ever.
Let me start by reflecting on 2016 and what we achieved. We changed our name to GBTARM, and set our sights on filling our events to capacity - and we did. We spent less in our budget, and with the full capacity meetings we are able to add more money for new programs and scholarships in 2017.
We brought together a new Board of Directors with a combination of baby boomers and millennials that injected a new breath of ideas and concepts to the chapter. We engaged our chairs to take ownership of their committees and be innovative. The Board presented a bucket list for member’s ideas, and in December the Board reviewed the bucket list, and will be implementing some of these ideas for 2017.
We had a Direct Member event and provided Directs with a special session. We engaged them in a think tank and listened to their ideas and programs which we will be utilizing in 2017.
Our Student Program began to blossom and we were proud to take our first student on scholarship to Washington DC to join us at the GBTA Legislative Summit. With collaborative efforts of GBTARM Members our association had a large impact on Metro State in their new curriculum of Business Travel classes.
We were challenged with raising PAC money, and achieved second place in our Chapter division. GBTARM was honored with a special reserved table up front at the GBTA Convention and a picture with Julia Louis- Dreyfus.
We saw a new kind of entertainment that exposed the band to their first live performance at the holiday party. As the President I engaged the Board and members to be a part of the first GBTARM band with the patience and guidance of our first honorary music director, John Coelho. This performance was flattered with a solo acopella perform by Dwayne Comlan, and a rare solo from Laura Melish our VP.
2017 will be an exciting year full of new things. We welcome Amy Paap as our new Membership Director, and Aaron Kocurek as the new Philanthropy Director.
What is the vision for 2017 and what will you see?
- We will be rolling out a new look to the website with more interactive options.
- Look for a new online education programs that can be accessed on the website.
- The Direct members have spoken and taking their ideas we are developing individual sessions catered to direct members only and supplier only.
- We expect to see GBTA will be rolling out our student program to all Chapters based on GBTARM’s model
- New scholarships led by our new Scholarship/Nomination Chair Laurie Etcheverry
- Education Day in June anticipates to be the best one yet!
- More to come with our new membership Director - Amy Paap, and Philanthropy - Director Aaron Kocurek
- GBTARM Hall of Fame
2017 is events and meetings are posted on the website - Keep your eyes on the new website to find out more!
I continue to encourage you take advantage of the opportunities membership provides and make GBTARM-long part of your professional development journey.
Happy New 2017!
Anne Blyth
GBTARM President
