Our Condolences

The LABTA Board of Directors, on behalf of all LABTA members, wishes to express our sadness over the tragic loss of Air France Flight 447.  We send our sympathies to the employees of Air France and the friends and families of Flight 447's crew and passengers.
 

June 10: Road Warrior Secrets and New Homeland Security Rules

Plan to join LABTA on June 10 at the LAX Marriot to hear Laurie Rusin present her top Road Warrior Secrets that help both the traveler and travel manager.  Laurie has 37 years in the travel industry, and held a variety of positions with American Airlines. Eighteen months ago, Laurie started her own business, LXR Travel, and continues to speak to groups across the country with tips that help both the traveler and travel manager.

Some of the topics that she will cover are:
       - Professional 3-day packing in a Carry-on bag 
       - Lowering the cost of travel while upgrading the service
       - Best loved travel gadgets and gizmos
       - New Homeland Security Rules for 2009

 
To RSVP, click here.

July 16: Casino Royale

You Can Bet On It - EVERYONE WILL BE THERE!

Date:  Thursday,  July 16, 2009

Location:  The Lot
                 1041 Formosa Ave.
                 West Hollywood, CA 90045

Tradeshow/Casino Hours:  5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
   
LABTA has traded in its trade show for "Casino Royale."   This is a new take on our annual trade show.  We are combining it with a casino night to give attendees a chance to mingle and get to know one another on a more personal level.  Mark your calendar, Thursday, July 16 at The Lot in West Hollywood.   There will be gaming, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and FUN.
 
TIME TO SIGN UP - sponsorships are filling up fast. 

Attention Exhibitors: Register for your space today and put your company's best foot forward this July!  There are different participation levels to allow allied members to participate within their budget.  There is no limit on the various levels, so make sure you complete the application and fax it to the LABTA office as soon as possible.
 

Click here to download Exhibitor Application.

LABTA Legislative Affairs Chapter Challenge

 
Congratulations to our membership for meeting two out of the three goals for this year's chapter challenge! We have only one more element left to meet. We are tasked with raising $500 for the NBTA PAC. If each of the 250+ members of LABTA donates $10 each in personal non-reimbursed funds to the PAC - we'll exceed the challenge by 500% and exceeding expectations is what the dynamic membership of LABTA is all about! We do it every day for our clients and our stakeholders.  The funds will go to a worthy cause helping put the voice of business travel front and center with our elected officials.

Please make your $10 check out to NBTA PAC and mail to NBTA PAC FUND c/o LABTA 210 N. Glen Oaks Blvd. Burbank CA 91502 -

For more info on the PAC, click here.  

If you have any questions please contact Frank Dolce at fdolce@osi-systems.com.

LABTA Members Receive NBTA Rates

for GLP Program

Analyzing Complex Decisions
August 22-23, 2009
San Diego
Competency: Management
 
Need help finding the right pricing model before you sign contracts? This program seeks to introduce participants to simple models and ideas that provide powerful (and oftentimes surprising) qualitative insights about a large spectrum of managerial problems.  Second, it aims to give participants a feeling for the kinds of problems that can be tackled quantitatively, the methods and software available for doing so, and the difficulties involved in gathering the relevant data.
 
To learn more and to register for this upcoming Global Leadership Professional Program event, click here.
 

Los Angeles Times Article Features LAWA and Quote from LABTA President

A May 28 article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted news from LABTA Platinum Sponsor Los Angeles World Airports as well as a quote from LABTA President Craig Banikowski.  To check out the article, click here.

Spotlight on Board Committees 

Special Events Committee

LABTA's Special Events Committee determines for the board of directors what events will be of maximum interest and best serve the needs of the Allied and Direct members, while increasing the overall attendance and revenue stream.  This committee also coordinates all pre-event tasks. Serving on the committee this year are Bill Shaw (IHG), Kelly Finnerty (Shade Hotel), Joanna Bendarzewski (Concur), Usha Jumani, Vicki Gigliello and Samantha Moske (American Express).
 
Meet LABTA's Director of Special Events
Kay Steele, senior manager of global travel services for Mattell, Inc., began in the travel industry in 1981 as vice president of corporate travel for Studio City Travel (SCT).  After 17 years with SCT, she was brought in by the CEO of Mattel to serve as executive administrator to handle the private air campaign, high-end groups, board of director functions and to travel with the CEO for all worldwide meetings.  In 2000, she became the travel manager of Mattel and promoted in 2002 to her current position. She consolidated all travel offices worldwide while also moving both the US and Europe over to online booking, achieving 95 percent adoption by end of first year.
 

Attention LABTA Members:

San Diego BTA has just opened volunteer registration to everyone.  Use the following steps to register for a NBTA volunteer position:

1.      Go to the web site www.sdbta.org  
2.      Click on the Events tab
3.      Click on Upcoming Events
4.      Change the 'Select a Month' to Aug 2009
5.      Choose which day and which duty you would like 

         to sign up for and register
6.      Be sure to include your cell phone number when you

         register

If there are positions open it will show 'Seats Available.'  If there is no availability on the day you would like to volunteer, you may sign up for the wait list and you will be contacted if a spot should open up.  Volunteer benefits and Job descriptions are available on the NBTA Volunteer Info http://www.sdbta.org/index.cfm?scid=1880  tab on the web site.

And Finally... Did You Know? 

Did you know that the first ever feature film shown on a commercial airliner was on a TWA 707 in 1961? Titled "By Love Possessed" and billed as "Neurotic woman engages in an affair with the law partner of her impotent husband!" The film was released by MGM and starred Lana Turner, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jason Robards and future perma-tan king George Hamilton. For more cool and groovy in-flight entertainment trivia, click here.