Meetings and Events

BABTA Mission Statement

The Bay Area Business Travel Association’s (BABTA) mission is to be the principal source of business travel knowledge and networking in the San Francisco Bay Area. Industry experience is shared through educational events, social interaction, and travel industry advocacy.

• We believe relationships create value.
• We believe volunteerism drives success.
• We believe education makes members more successful.

BABTA Organization

Founded in 1975, the organization has over 150 members from different locations in the San Francisco Bay Area representing firms in all types of business: manufacturing, retail, banking, high tech, shipping, bio-technology, and construction. BABTA is a chapter of the Global Business Travel Association.

BABTA President's Message

March 2020

In light of the unprecedented global challenge brought on by the COVID-19 virus, I want to express my concern and unease over the effects of this pandemic.  First and foremost, my wish for all is that you remain safe and healthy.  Don’t take chances with your health.  Follow the advice of health officials and take care to not put yourself in harm’s way with respect to the virus.  BABTA and other GBTA chapters have cancelled their meetings this month and possibly in the future to prevent the spread of the virus.  We’ll keep you up to date about future gatherings, whether face-to-face or virtual. 

Here are some sources of information that can assist you:

• World Health Organization 
• Center for Disease Control  
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control 

Second, this is a test of our industry more than any other we’ve seen in our lifetimes.  Travel is shutting down more than ever before, except for right after 9/11.  That was short term.  The effects of COVID-19 will be long lasting. While I’m sure we will weather this storm, the uncertainty over how long it will last is more than disquieting.  Inevitably, there will be job losses in our industry.  BABTA will do all possible to share knowledge of opportunities for its members.  Networking has never been more important than now.  If you know of jobs, please share the information with your BABTA colleagues.  Members can post positions on the BABTA website at no cost.

Again, please take care of yourselves and your families.  Let us know how we can help each other and share information about our industry as well as the impact of this pandemic in our lives.

Best regards,
Mark Ziegler and the BABTA Board