Did you miss a past issue of LABTA's News Bytes e-newsletter? Click here to see a complete archive. |
|
Member
News
LABTA members pose with Capt. Sullenberger at the NBTA International Convention in San Diego. Pictured (L-R) are: Craig Banikowski, Sean Parham, Belinda Borden, Sullenberger, Therese Jacobson and Frank Dolce.
Do you have news you'd like to share with your fellow LABTA members? A new job? A promotion? An award or recognition? Please send your news and photo to Jeff Sewalson at
|
|
The following new members joined LABTA in July. Welcome!
Allied Members
Eddy Manit
Chief Executive Officer
LS Worldwide Transportation Corp.
William Shaw
Director of Entertainment Sales
W Los Angeles |
LABTA's 2010 Executive Board
Platform Statements Available On-Line 
You should have received a ballot via e-mail for the 2010 Executive Board. The candidate's Platform Statements are available here for your review.
Ballots are due to the LABTA Office before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.
| |
 News from LAWA
Irvine gets FlyAway Bus approval
City officials in Irvine, Calif., have approved plans for new direct bus service between Los Angeles International and the Irvine train station.
The FlyAway Bus, which is operated by the city of Los Angeles and links LAX to key regions of Southern California, currently doesn't serve Orange County, about 30 miles south of the airport and home to more than 3 million residents.
The current plan calls for the service, which will likely start later this year, to provide 12 non-stop trips per day to and from LAX. One-way fare costs $25.
- As reported in USA Today |
|
 September Meeting Recap: Auden Schendler Talks About "Getting Green Done"
LABTA held back-to-back meetings Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Montage Beverly Hills and on Thursday, Sept. 10 for fOCus at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine. The speaker for the event was Auden Schendler, executive director of sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company, and author of of "Getting Green Done: Hard Truths From the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution."
Auden, who has an infectious passion about the trend in the climate change and its impact on our near future, discussed opportunities for corporations to use their 'lever' within their industry to go beyond everyday recycling, energy and fuel saving tips, and carbon offsetting, to make a change that can provide a global difference. Taking a stand as a corporation and impacting the attention of our nation's leaders to address the global climate issue is what Auden believes should be done now!
Auden is a great speaker, and managed to pack in quite a large amount of information into his time respective presentation. You can pick up a copy of his book at any local bookstore.
|
 TAKE ACTION FOR PASSENGER RIGHTS:
Message from the
NBTA President & CEO
As you may already know, in mid August NBTA announced its support for the implementation of passenger rights legislation, including a turn-back rule for passenger planes on the tarmac for three hours. This was a change in position for NBTA as the association had previously resisted calls to legislate airline customer service. Thus NBTA has thrown its support behind the Snowe-Boxer language included in the Senate FAA bill, S1451, FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act. My predecessor, Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, said, "For years the business travel industry believed the airlines and the federal government would work together to fix the problems that led to excessive tarmac delays, but enough is enough. When we've got travelers stuck on planes sitting on the tarmac overnight, it's clear the problem has spun out of control, and legislation is the best solution. We need to hold the airlines to a 'bright-line' rule that respects the basic humanity of passengers by preventing airlines from keeping them captive, which is exactly what the Snowe-Boxer language will do." I believe these delays and cancellations are a result of a much larger problem, the overburdened and antiquated Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. NBTA is fighting to see Congress adopt and pay for "NextGen" which will shepherd our ATC system into the 21st Century. But until that happens, the traveler needs basic protections. I ask you as a part of the business travel community to be the voice of the travel industry and contact your Senators and Representative and ask request their support for the Snowe-Boxer language. Warm regards, Craig Banikowski, CCTE, C.P.M., CMM NBTA President & CEO |
|
 Committee Chair Spotlight: Orange County Outreach
Edward Michels is the manager for Global Travel & Events at Edwards Lifesciences, LLC. Edward was responsible for bringing all aspects of Travel Management to Edwards Lifesciences, which was created as a result of a spin-off from a large health industry conglomerate. Today, Edward is working on the consolidation and globalization of travel for Edwards' worldwide offices.
Edward began his passion in the travel industry almost 30 years ago as an account executive for Hilton International. Edward also spent many years at Air France, where he managed the Western Sales Offices in Southern and Northern California through 1998. He was then recruited by Oracle Corporation to combine his degree in Information Systems and his travel knowledge and experience to enhance technology in the travel industry. Edward was responsible for Oracle's online Expense Reporting tool and its credit card integration module and later online booking system.
Edward earned his CCTE in 2007. He is now the Chair for the Orange County Outreach program of LABTA. Edward is working on expanding the LABTA membership in Orange County by bringing value, resources, education and networking opportunities to Orange County travel professionals. |
LA Food Bank Volunteer Event a
Big Success!
Last Saturday, Sept. 19, LABTA volunteers and guests donated their Saturday morning sorting, boxing, weighing and packaging donated food items at the LA Regional Food Bank distribution center.
 The group processed an amazing amount of food items, and it was very impactful to know that our volunteerism literally saved tons of food from being tossed into the trash due to their impending expiration dates. And while it was hard work, it was also a fun time and an enjoyable way of getting to know fellow members.
There's still opportunity to donate to this very worthy cause. LABTA's goal is to raise $2,500 to help fight hunger in our community. For every $1 in donations, the LA Food Bank is able to provide four meals. With the generosity of our members, we will provide 10,000 men, women and children a much needed meal. Please consider making a small financial donation by clicking the secured link.
| |
 And Finally...Did You Know?
In 2006, Guinness World Records listed the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, as the world's largest hotel with a total of 6,118 rooms.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hotel still in operation is the Hoshi Ryokan, in the Awazu Onsen area of Komatsu, Japan, which opened in 717.
Burj Al Arab in United Arab Emirates is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), will take away this title upon its opening.
| |
|
|
|
