NBTA Members Vote Overwhelmingly to Expand Supplier Member Representation on Board

New Board Structure Will Give Allied Members Voting Board Representation While Maintaining Buyer-Driven Structure for Leading Corporate Travel Association

Alexandria, VA | The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) today announced that a significant majority of voting members cast their votes in support of a bylaws change empowering Allied (supplier) Members of NBTA to elect Allied representatives to the association’s Board of Directors. The measure passed in a special meeting by a vote of 86 percent to 14 percent. The number of Direct (buyer) Members who voted was greater than double the number required for a quorum.

“It’s exciting to see NBTA shift its governance structure in recognition of the invaluable contribution of Allied Members to the organization,” said NBTA President and CEO, Suzanne Fletcher. “This idea was brought to the Board by a number of members, and the support from both Direct and Allied Members since the official proposal was made in July has been overwhelming. I have personally heard from dozens of members saying this is the right move at the right time.”

Allied Members will gain two additional seats on the NBTA Board for a total of four (the President and Vice President of the Allied Leadership Council currently sit on the Board). One new Allied Board Member will be elected during the 2007 NBTA election cycle, and a second will be elected during the 2008 cycle. Each new Allied representative on the Board will replace a Direct Member representative whose term is expiring. After the 2008 election, the overall size of the Board will remain the same, and the representation on the Board will consist of nine Direct Members and four Allied Members. The key officers on the Board (President & CEO, Vice President, and Chairman/Past President) will continue to be Direct Members elected only by Directs. Information on the 2007 election process will be provided to NBTA members in a few months.

“I want to thank every NBTA Direct Member who voted on this important measure. Your ongoing support of NBTA is what makes the association successful,” Fletcher added. “No matter what your opinion was on this bylaws change, you will find that NBTA continues to be a buyer-led organization that provides industry-leading education, professional development, networking, events, advocacy, research, news and information to corporate travel professionals around the world. The greater involvement and support of Allied members at the Board level will only strengthen our ability to carry out our mission.”

For additional information, see www.nbta.org/About/BoardDirectors/bylaws.htm.