Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson to Speak at NBTA International Convention
Alexandria, VA | The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today Sir Richard Branson, Founder and President of Virgin Group, will deliver a keynote address to attendees of the 2009 NBTA International Convention & Exposition, to be held August 23-26 in San Diego. Branson’s appearance during the Convention’s Tuesday General Session is made possible by Orbitz for Business.
NBTA President & CEO, Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, said, “Sir Richard Branson is an industry and international icon. This is a huge get for us, and we are grateful to Orbitz for Business for bringing this airline and hospitality guru and corporate rock star to the NBTA community. His insights into the travel industry, perspectives on globalization, and advice on leadership are sure to prove both educating and inspiring.”
The Virgin empire was conceived in 1970 when Branson founded a mail order record company and opened a record shop in London. He has since rapidly expanded the Virgin brand, one of the world’s most recognized and respected trademarks, to the travel, communications, clean tech, financial services, and health industries. Last month alone saw the launch of its newest airline, VAustralia, with service from Sydney to the United States, and Virgin America, the award-winning U.S. domestic airline, began serving Boston, its eighth city.
Branson is also an avid traveler, world record-breaking adventurer, and humanitarian. Branson’s Virgin Unite, the philanthropic arm of the Virgin Group, uses business as a force for good with corporate, nonprofit and government partners, entrepreneurs, and artists. Branson was knighted in 1999 for his services to entrepreneurship.
Maguire continued: “As one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs and industry show stoppers, Branson is the perfect fit for the NBTA Convention. I know the business travel community will be delighted to hear thoughts on the future of the corporate travel industry from a man who attempts to break world records, hob knobs with Hollywood celebrities, and is starting the world’s first commercial spaceline, while still overseeing some of the world’s most impressive travel and luxury property programs.”
For more information about the 2009 NBTA Convention, visit .
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.
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