April 2013 Newsletter 
President's Report
A Message from the President
By Gary Murakami, CTC, GTP, GLP, CMP
Director, Global Sales, MGM Resorts International
To our valued members:
READY - SET- GO!
2013 was off to a enthusiastic and ambitious start, and I am excited you, our members, are all joining us on the exciting journey for BABTA this year. Our goal continues to be our singular focus to serve our members by providing networking and educational opportunities and also by increasing our visibility within the travel industry.
In January, BABTA had the pleasure and honor to host the Presidents of the various chapters around the country for the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). This ongoing quarterly meeting provides chapter leaders engagement in thought-provoking and sharing of best practices to increase chapter performance and success. BABTA appreciates the support of the host hotel, Parc55 Wyndham, in addition to the generous program sponsors: Emirates, Mosaic Global Transportation, CLIFT, Hotel Vitale, American Express, Groundlink, MGM Resorts International, and SuperShuttle. Our chapter and city received high accolades from numerous attendees including the various leaders from GBTA, and BABTA was delighted to showcase our commitment and passion for our industry.
The start of the year also included our annual board retreat at the beautiful Sanctuary Beach Resort near Seaside just north of Monterey. The idyllic setting along the ocean proved to be the perfect venue for both the current and new board of directors to recharge and to collaborate on our goals and efforts for 2013. With the generous support of the resort, the BABTA board spent a weekend to set the direction of how we can enhance value of the organization to its membership.
Our monthly meetings during the first quarter brought together leading industry leaders to discuss critical topics to our industry. Our January meeting at Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf with roundtable discussions on emerging trends and innovations in travel generated dialogue and ideas for future programming.
The February panel of travel experts from Salesforce with Dorian Stonie, Genentech with Steve Sitto, Hipmunk represented by Adam Goldstein and Eric Bausman with Concur and Jan Willbanks of Connections as Moderator on "Open Booking" was met with overwhelming enthusiasm to a sold-out meeting crowd at Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown.
In March, the topic of Strategic Meetings Management led by Kevin Iwamoto with ActiveNetwork and Susan Dupart with MacAfee at Hotel Kabuki in Japantown brought insightful and informative information to our members on the critical need to view meetings and events with more focus and with new opportunities to enhance a company's travel program.
The BABTA board was also delighted to personally present our donation in March to Bay Area Women's and Children's Center (BAWCC) as our designated beneficiary for our 2012 Annual Gala that took place this past December. For those of you who had the pleasure to attend the Gala, you will recall the positive and heartfelt story of the wonderful work that the organizationprovides to the women and children in the Tenderloin in downtown San Francisco.
As we begin our second quarter of 2013, BABTA will delivers more exciting and industry relevant programming to our members. Our April program will take place on the east bay at Waterfront Hotel, a Commune hotel, with the subject on TSA amd its current updates including the Global Entry Program. To meet the scheduling needs of some of our members, our May programming will be a unique luncheon program held in downtown San Francisco at the famous Morton's restaurant. Our annual joint meeting with Silicon Valley Business Travel Association (SVBTA) will take place this year on Wednesday, June 19 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame.
Please mark your calendars as we look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming meetings. Thank you always for your continued support of BABTA and our goal to create these networking and education opportunities to our local area members.
Warm regards,
Gary Murakami, CTC, GTP, GLP, CMP
President
Bay Area Business Travel Association
Spring Meetings Summary
Photos from BABTA 's Spring events . . .
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| January Board Retreat Board of Directors |
Thanks to Our Outgoing Board Members: Rick Wakida, Heather Tsang, Dave Kuffel, Joeann LaMadrid,Damien Keller, Alex Sweeney, Pete Gold |
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| January - GBTA Chapter President's Council Meeting, hosted by BABTA Gary Murakami, Kathy Briski, Diane Lovett |
January - Hot Topics Roundtable Led by Joeann LaMadrid, Clift Hotel |
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| February Meeting Panel: Jan Willbanks, Adam Goldstein, Dorian Stonie, Eric Bausman, Steve Sitto |
March Meeting Speakers: Kevin Iwamoto Susan Dupart |
Welcome New Members
Welcome to our newest 2013 members!
“As always…very excited about BABTA and all of the opportunities and experiences it has to offer!’
Karen Vincenzi
Senior Sales Manager, Corporate Business Travel Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Scott Faber - Enterprise Holdings, Sales Manager
Sammi Wang - Red Roof Inn, Sales Manager
Michael Perry - Holiday Inn Civic Center, Sales Manager
Rick Louie - Federal Reserve, Director Procurement Services
Jennifer Good - Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Sales Manager
Sharon McKernan - Handlery Hotel, Corporate Sales Manager
Tina Chircop - Hilton San Francisco Airport, Sales Manager
Jay Johnston - Limo Link International, Regional Sales Manager
Tarin Wallick - Executive Inn & Suites Oakland, Sales Manager
Laurelle Whiteley - Club Quarters, Membership Manager
Mary Romano - Intercontinental Hotel, Corporate Sales Western Region
Jeannine Graham - Denihan Hospitality, Western Region
Karen Vnicenzi - Marriott Walnut Creek, Sales Manager
Lisa Mc Callson - Travel Manager, Ross Stores
Rosanne Oberst - Director of Sales and Marketing, Aloft Hotels-Silicon Valley
Jeffrey Kalman - Director of Sales and marketing, TMC Global Star
Bruce Thomas - Regional Vice President, Direct Travel
Alfonso Valencia - Market Manager, Aeromexico
Jane E. O’Donnell - Group Sales Manager, Simco Restaurant-Pier 39
Sarah Hale - Admin HR & Travel, Taos Mountain Inc.
Daisey Mae Salvador - Sales Manager, Hotel Palomar
New Member Spotlight!
Heather Aryana
My name is Heather (Konstantopoulos) Aryana and I have been a mid-market corporate account manager for Avis Budget Group for almost a year now. Originally from Michigan, I took a leap of faith (away from the cold winters) and moved out to sunny California where I could enjoy a more active life style. I have over 5 years of experience working in the car rental industry. I am passionate about customer service, finding quick and better solutions and most importantly building partnerships.
Since I have joined BABTA, I have met so many great people and as a consultant I feel that I can bring more value to my clients by sharing the great material learned at the meetings. Recently, I have volunteered to assist with the monthly prize drawing tickets and that has helped me build rapport with people I would have otherwise not had the chance to speak with. If you are new to BABTA, I would highly recommend getting involved with a committee. After a busy week, I like to decompress by going for a jog, hiking or trying different restaurants. Next time you are at the meeting, stop by the prize drawing table and say hello!
Lisa McCallson
Lisa McCallson, Travel Manager for Ross Stores is one of BABTA’s newest members! We had an opportunity to catch up this week and talk about her background and what brought her back to the Bay Area after raising 5 sons in the Seattle area. “ I’m originally from the east bay, having grown up in this area it is really like coming home for me and my husband” Lisa has been back for six months and she is very excited about rediscovering the Northern California lifestyle. “ My boys are all grown and my youngest is the last one still in college with just a few years left until he graduates.”
With their lives opening up to new chapters, Lisa decided that the time was right to take an exciting new career opportunity. Becoming a travel manager offered her a chance to utilize her technical experience from various positions at Microsoft and travel skills from time at Expedia, to help Ross revamp their dynamic travel program.
Lisa is focused on the most important aspects of that program summarizing it this way, “My days are busy implementing our new TMC relationship, launching our online booking tool, revamping travel policy, optimizing our expense management system and taking a new look at our meetings & events. These pieces work together to help us reach the bigger goals which are essential to improving services for our travelers. Although reducing costs are always important, we can’t get there if the travelers aren’t happy. We are focused on traveler needs and feedback, taking all of it into consideration as our projects move forward.”
Lisa has incredible energy and excitement when she talks about 2013, a year of personal and professional change! Lisa, welcome to BABTA.
Members On the Move!
Congratulations to the following BABTA members on their new positions!
Al Gilbert, American Express
Lisa Shenefiel, Travel Leaders Corporate
Greg Sweeney, Egencia
Have you recently moved to a new job or position? Please drop us a line at [email protected]!
Government and Travel
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| Dave Danby VP Government Affairs |
Sarita Evans (right), Board Director, pictured with Cassandra Redd, United Airlines |
BABTA is pleased to introduce “Government and Travel” as a greater area of interest and focus for our chapter. Our intent is to bring travel industry issues related to government at large to your attention for the purposes of ongoing education and discussion. Helping us is a new Board Member and VP of Government Affairs Dave Danby, Travel Manager of Bio-Rad. Assisting Dave and a Director of the Board this year is Sarita Evans, Travel Manager of WindRiver Systems. We invite your questions or comments about travel industry issues related to federal, state or local government via email to [email protected].
In the Government spotlight are two items about IATA Resolution 787. The resolution is controversial and on 05 April GBTA released a statement requesting the DOT not to approve the resolution.
Also please see information from the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) about the resolution. The highlighted links are worth comparing. The first link is from IATA's point of view and the second link is from BTC's point of view.
BABTA Volunteer Spotlight
BABTA wishes to Thank our AWESOME volunteers on our Meeting Registration Committee as follows:
- Jim Bruels - Cartwright Hotel Union Square (pictured)
- Karen Morrison-Perry - United Airlines (pictured)
- Mazie Rice - Cathay Pacific
- Charity Curtis - VIlla Florence
- Jennifer Good - FourPoints Sheraton Hotel
“Volunteering at the BABTA Registration Desk has been a fantastic experience. Not only do I get to reconnect with colleagues and friends I’ve made in the community, but I have the unique opportunity to welcome new and interesting people at each event.” Jim Bruels, Director Sales Cartwright Hotel Union Square San Francisco
Volunteerism and Leadership. At the core of the Chapter are our volunteers, these members have the opportunity to actively participate in the functioning of BABTA, gain the experience to grow professionally and assume leadership positions. Registration Voulenteers offer hours of their personal time to help with the efficient check in and welcome new members into the organization. We Wish to thank all our Registration voulenteers for their service to our organization. For more information please contact Suzie Chickeles, VP Membership [email protected]
BABTA Sponsors Spotlight
BABTA wishes to thank and recognize our Diamond Level sponsor Mosaic Global Transportation for their generous and ongoing support of BABTA in 2013.
Mosaic Global Transportation strives to exceed expectations for professional chauffeured ground transportation to corporate executives and meeting and event planners worldwide. By anticipating our client’s needs, we provide a personal level of service that gives our clients peace of mind and lets them focus on their business. Our global reach and unique technology provide efficiency and dependability, at a fair and competitive price, helping us build trust one trip at a time. For more information please contact Maurice Brewster, CEO at [email protected].
Maurice and Rhonda Brewster
Executive Chauffeured Transportation Worldwide
Calendar of Events
BABTA 2013 Program Schedule - Education, Networking and More!
April 2013 Dinner Meeting
"How Are Governemnt and the Travel Industry Working Together to Safeguard Your Travelers?"
Speaker: Scott Johnson, Region Six (CA,NV, AZ, HI) TSA Director
17 April 2013, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Waterfront Hotel, Oakland
May 2013 Lunch Meeting
"Marketing Your Program Internally and Externally: Communicating with Tweets, Blogs, & Social Media"
Speaker: Mary Savoie Stevens
15 May 2013, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Morton's Steakhouse, San Francisco
June 2013 Joint BABTA/SVBTA Meeting
"Innovation in the Travel Industry"
Panel:
Chris McGinnis (Moderator), Travel Writer, San Francisco Chronicle
Michelle Hunt, Travel Manager, DHL
Pam Massey, Global Director, Bill Gates Foundation
19 June 2013, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hyatt Regency SFO - Burlingame
July 2013 Lunch Meeting
"Road Warriors: What Do They Want from Travel Managers & Suppliers?"
Panel of corporate road warriors from local companies
17 July 2013, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
SFO International
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Follow Us!
If you would like to contribute information or ideas to the next BABTA Newsletter, please contact:
Lisa Shenefiel
VP PR Communications/Newsletter
[email protected]
