GBTA + VDR Conference 2024 Highlights European Business Travel Trends and Sustainability

The GBTA +VDR Conference 2024, in partnership with the Nordic Business Travel Associations, recently concluded in Copenhagen. The event, co-located with the GBTA Sustainability Summit, focused on the future of business travel in Europe, with a special emphasis on sustainability.

Held from November 4th to 6th, the event saw participation from industry professionals, subject experts, and thought leaders from the travel, corporate, and business sectors. They gathered to discuss industry trends and explore innovative solutions. The conference attracted a record 850 Summit attendees, over 1,300 Conference attendees, and 67 exhibitors from 38 countries.

The GBTA Sustainability Summit on November 4th brought together industry professionals, sustainability experts, and policymakers. They discussed the need to advance sustainable business travel and shared insights on global standards, climate resilience, decarbonization solutions, regulatory preparedness, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The Summit also unveiled the results from the GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, a benchmarking initiative evaluating companies’ sustainability practices.

GBTA released a new European regional analysis forecasting regional business travel spending to reach 476.6 billion euros in Europe by 2028. For 2024, the projection is for European business travel spending to reach 360.4 billion euros, reflecting a 10.4% increase from last year. Economic factors and global political uncertainty continue to impact the business travel sector in Europe.

The Conference featured 16 education sessions, 7 Main Stage segments, and 9 committee roundtables. These sessions covered topics ranging from leveraging technology for sustainability, travel risk management trends, to driving value with hotel program performance metrics. Keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie Hare explored the evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on the industry.

The Conference concluded on 6th November with a session featuring Magnus Göransson, co-host and judge of Lego Masters Sweden, who shared insights on fostering a culture of agility and innovation.

The 2024 events were supported by the Sustainability Summit and Europe Conference sponsors. The next GBTA + VDR Conference will be held in Hamburg, Germany, from 10-12 November 2025, with the 4th Sustainability Summit scheduled for 10 June in Washington, D.C.