Source: NBTA , USA
Date: August 3, 2004
Orlando, Florida (August 3, 2004) -- The Paragon Partnership, the global alliance of business travel associations, welcomed three new business travel associations into the partnership. The addition of the Iberian Business Travel Association (IBTA), Spain; the Swedish Business Travel Association (SBTA); and the Austrian Business Travel Association (ABTA – Austria) bring the organization’s total membership to ten associations.
“The Iberian Business Travel Association is pleased to join the Paragon Partnership and support its efforts to promote the travel managed profession internationally,” said Maria Luisa Palet, president of IBTA. “IBTA members and members of the other Paragon Partnership associations will benefit from this newly expand opportunity for international networking.”
The announcement was made at the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) 36th Annual Convention and Trade Show, where the Paragon Partnership met today. The partnership was formed at the NBTA 34th Annual Convention and Trade Show. The members of the Paragon Partnership are
Brazilian Business Travel Association (ABGEV)
Australasian Business Travel Association (ABTA)
Austrian Business Travel Association (ABTA-Austria)
Iberian Business Travel Association (IBTA)
Canadian Business Travel Association (CBTA)
Finnish Business Travel Association (FBTA)
Institute of Travel Management (ITM), UK and Ireland
National Business Travel Association (NBTA), USA
Swedish Business Travel Association (SBTA)
The Business Travel Association of Germany (VDR)
“NBTA actively supports the Paragon Partnership as part of our effort to expand our global presence in order to benefit NBTA members,” said Carol A. Devine, CCTE, NBTA president and CEO. “We are pleased to welcome our colleagues from Spain, Sweden and Austria, and to provide the venue for the sixth Paragon meeting. The global cooperation and networking facilitated by Paragon benefits travel managers in partner associations around the world.”
The Paragon Partnership is an alliance of business travel associations from Australasia, Europe, North American and South America. The Paragon Partners represent more than 4,500 business travel buyers and suppliers, and their members manage and direct more than $150 billion USD, which translates to more than €140 billion or £95 billion.
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