The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) held its third largest International Convention & Exposition in the association's history last week in San Diego. More than 5,600 corporate travel professionals, including more than 1,240 travel buyers, filled the San Diego Convention Center to attend more than 65 ground-breaking education sessions and visit with more than 400 exhibitors on the show floor.

LABTA's very own Craig Banikowski, CCTE, C.P.M., CMM, was elected by NBTA members to serve a two-year term as the association's new president & CEO, said, "The sheer magnitude of this year's Convention, especially in a down global economy, proves the value of business travel to corporations across the world. Corporate travel professionals from more than 30 nations came together this week to enhance their industry knowledge, sharing best practices to ensure their managed travel programs are cost effective and reflective of current industry trends. Contracts were signed, deals were made, and business travel produced business this week and beyond for corporations across the globe."

The Convention offered a special welcome session Sunday evening during which Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III inspired attendees with this account of the infamous landing of a commercial flight into the Hudson River, saving the lives of 155 people. Over three days attendees took advantage of more than 65 education sessions, the most the association has ever offered at its annual Convention, in which industry experts and specialists from all sectors of the corporate travel community discussed business travel growth in today's volatile economy and shifting corporate culture. New resources such as white papers on small meetings and private aviation and an online booking tool RFP template were offered to Convention delegates, and updates to the NBTA Corporate Social Responsibility Toolkit and Hotel RFP Template were also provided.

Attendees heard from Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly and Continental Airlines CEO Larry Kellner Wednesday during the Airline CEO Panel, a special session first offered last year and now an attendee favorite. Peter Greenberg, Emmy award winning travel journalist, moderated the panel about the current state of the aviation industry. The two CEOs offered insights on aviation hot topics such as industry affects of baggage and other ancillary fees, in-flight wireless internet capabilities, and passenger rights.

Olympic Champion Dara Torres, 42, who became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics at the Beijing Games in 2008, inspired attendees during the Monday General Session, and Jay Leno entertained in Tuesday's session. President Bill Clinton spoke yesterday about the value of business travel to economies around the world, citing travel as the key to building global peace and understanding.

Banikowski added, "The NBTA Convention is known throughout the industry as the Business Travel Event of the Year, and once again it has lived up to its reputation. At a time when economic uncertainty is on everyone's minds, NBTA delivered powerful and positive messages to the corporate travel community, and industry energy and enthusiasm was evident."