• New Elements Include Global Advisory Board Spanning Five Regions
  • Awards Program Will Recognize Travel Industry Organizations Spearheading Green Efforts

Alexandria, VA (June 11, 2012) – The GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today announced the expansion of Project ICARUS, the first global travel management sustainability body, representing the interests of the global travel and meetings industry. Project ICARUS, will include recognition and awards programs highlighting leading organizations in sustainability and a Global Advisory board with representatives from buyers, suppliers, academics and subject matter experts from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America to provide expertise, leadership and guidance on sustainability.

"Sustainability is an issue of strategic importance for corporations and organizations in the business travel industry," said Daphne Bryant, Executive Director. "Project ICARUS and GBTA's expanded program on sustainability sets the bar for the entire industry, providing the research, guidance and now awarding recognition for those looking to develop or improve a global sustainability program."

Project ICARUS, a GBTA Foundation initiative, started in 2006 by the Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM) in the UK. Since that time it has grown to be the most widely recognized and respected Corporate Sustainability/Corporate Social Responsibility program within the global business travel and meeting industry. Led by national and international travel buyers, managers and their suppliers, it acts as the definitive source of information, education and support for a wide range of sustainability issues in the corporate travel and meetings industry.

Members of the Global Advisory Board include representatives from the following companies:

PwC, Cranfield University, Sabre Holdings, Wireless Advocates LLC, Australian Federal Police.

The Project ICARUS sustainability Gold Medal recognition program will be the focal point for recognizing organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the business travel and meetings industry and who are willing to learn, share, lead and above all take action in the drive to greater sustainability. The Outstanding Achievement Awards will be made annually on a regional basis to recognize leading buyers, sellers, intermediaries and sustainability organizations that have made a special contribution during the year.

"GBTA has always been on the forefront of key business travel issues and we are thrilled to recognize fellow leaders that improve sustainability best practices through these awards," said Bernard Harrop, head of sustainability, Project ICARUS.

For more information on Project ICARUS including links to research, involvement opportunities and the recognition and awards programs, visit the newly designed website gbta.org/icarus.

About the GBTA FoundationThe GBTA Foundation is the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world's premier business travel and corporate meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA's 5,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 17,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy. The foundation was established in 1997 to support GBTA's members and the industry as a whole. As the leading education and research foundation in the business travel industry, the GBTA Foundation seeks to fund initiatives to advance the business travel profession. The GBTA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, see gbta.org and gbta.org/foundation.

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA's members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of GBTA, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy.

Rebecca Carriero
+1 212-446-1897
GBTA