In January 2026, Global Traveler hosted its inaugural Entrepreneurial & Business Travel Symposium, a two-day gathering that united leaders from hospitality, aviation, finance, and travel technology. Held at The Union League of Philadelphia, the event combined interactive workshops, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities designed for business travelers, industry executives, and entrepreneurs.
© Life Legacy Photography (Malik Merriweather)
The symposium began with a welcome session the first evening, followed by a full day of panel discussions and presentations. Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of FXExpress Publications and publisher of Global Traveler, moderated the main sessions, guiding conversations that highlighted practical strategies and industry trends.
One of the morning panels was sponsored by TAP Air Portugal and featured Fernanda Ottavio, manager for North America at TAP, in conversation about the carrier’s offerings for business travelers, including the TAP FORBIZ program. The discussion explored how airlines and travel programs can better meet the needs of entrepreneurs and small-to-medium enterprises that rely on frequent, flexible travel.
Johnathan Fuchs, COO, Kidder Street Consulting Group; Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc.; Natasha Terrell, CEO, Travel Goddess International © Life Legacy Photography (Malik Merriweather)
Later in the day, a session focused on unlocking growth through travel and in-person meetings featured Ryan Messier, director of USA Business Development for IHG Business Edge, and Kevin Ryan, partner at Citrin Cooperman. They discussed strategies for driving business growth via corporate travel, the value of face-to-face interactions, and IHG’s program tailored to small and mid-sized businesses.
Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, FXExpress Publications, Inc.; Fernanda Ottavio, manager, North America, TAP Air Portugal; Kimberly Inlander, editor in chief, FXExpress Publications, Inc. © Life Legacy Photography (Malik Merriweather)
Throughout the day, panels balanced practical advice with broader industry perspective: how travel programs can support company growth, ways to measure return on travel investment, and how travel managers and providers can adapt to evolving traveler expectations. Speakers included executives from consulting, hospitality, and travel services who shared real-world examples and actionable takeaways for attendees.
The symposium concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the business travel sector. Moderated by Sue Castorino, president of The Speaking Specialists, and Mary Melnick, social media and editorial manager at Global Traveler, the session examined shifting traveler behavior, emerging technologies, and strategies for maintaining safety and efficiency in a changing landscape.
Attendees left with renewed insight into how airlines, hotels, and corporate travel programs can work together to better serve entrepreneurs and business travelers. The event underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors to create smarter, more flexible travel solutions that support business objectives while enhancing the traveler experience.