The 2014 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) annual convention transformed downtown Los Angeles in July, drawing travel industry leaders and professionals from around the world to the City of Angels. To mark the occasion, Global Traveler hosted its annual GBTA cocktail reception, supported by partners Boeing and LATAM.
More than 100 guests attended the Casablanca-themed reception at the Figueroa Hotel’s Rick’s Place. Attendees mingled with the Global Traveler staff and “Rick” (portrayed by Ellis Martin as Humphrey Bogart) while enjoying period favorites performed by the Liz Holmes Retro Swing Band. As the sun set over the Los Angeles skyline, conversations turned to developments in the travel industry and expectations for 2015.
“It was a blast celebrating Global Traveler’s annual reception during the 2014 GBTA convention. We really embraced the theme this year, and the quirky Figueroa Hotel provided the perfect backdrop,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO. “The convention was a great success, and it was a pleasure to celebrate the industry and spend an evening of good food, music and laughs with our valued clients, partners and friends.”
FXExpress Publications, Inc., Global Traveler’s parent company, used the convention to launch its newest venture, Trazee Travel. Designed for the über-millennial audience aged 18–35, Trazee Travel covers all aspects of travel, offering tips and inspiration tailored to younger travelers. The site is available at trazeetravel.com.
The 2014 event marked the 46th annual GBTA convention, attracting more than 7,000 attendees from hotels, airlines, travel companies, media outlets and corporate travel departments. The 47th annual convention was scheduled for Orlando in July 2015.