The GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), has announced the expansion of Project ICARUS, the first global travel management sustainability body, representing the interests of the global travel and meetings industry.

 

Project ICARUS will include recognition and awards programs highlighting leading organizations in sustainability and a Global Advisory board with representatives from buyers, suppliers, academics and subject matter experts from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America to provide expertise, leadership and guidance on sustainability.

 

According to Daphne Bryant, GBTA executive director, sustainability is an issue of “strategic importance” for corporations and organizations in the business travel industry. "Project ICARUS and GBTA's expanded program on sustainability sets the bar for the entire industry, providing the research, guidance and now awarding recognition for those looking to develop or improve a global sustainability program," she said.

 

Project ICARUS, a GBTA Foundation initiative, was started in 2006 by the Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM) in the UK. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most widely recognized corporate sustainability/corporate social responsibility program within the global business travel and meeting industry. Led by national and international travel buyers, managers and their suppliers, it acts as a source of information, education and support for a wide range of sustainability issues in the corporate travel and meetings industry.

 

Collectively, GBTA's 5,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 17,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy.

Members of the Global Advisory Board include representatives from the following companies: PwC, Cranfield University, Sabre Holdings, Wireless Advocates LLC, Australian Federal Police.

 

The Project ICARUS sustainability Gold Medal recognition program will be the focal point for recognizing organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the business travel and meetings industry and who are willing to learn, share, lead and take action in the drive to greater sustainability. The Outstanding Achievement Awards will be made annually on a regional basis to recognize leading buyers, sellers, intermediaries and sustainability organizations that have made a special contribution during the year.