100 members and constituents meet with officials to promote business travel
More than 100 GBTA members and constituents converged last week in Washington DC for the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2025, with the collective purpose of advocating for the vital role and value of business travel. Through direct meetings with senators, representatives and congressional staff, members from the association’s 38 US chapters shared insights and championed policies to advance business travel’s impact as an economic driver and to create a more connected and resilient travel ecosystem.
The summit, according to GBTA, provided industry professionals with the opportunity to network, learn and engage directly with legislators to underscore the value of business travel in the US economy. GBTA also advocated for streamlined international travel, including policies that enhance the traveler experience and restore confidence in US entry processes. GBTA participants also discussed the need to modernize the US air traffic system, support Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and improve passenger rail to provide viable travel alternatives.
Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA, said that for more than two decades, GBTA has hosted legislative fly-ins to connect business travel experts with US policymakers to foster understanding, advocate for priority issues and facilitate a better experience for business travelers. By promoting the strategic role of business travel in driving economies, innovation, jobs and strategic collaboration, she said, “we foster a more resilient future for business travelers and those who support them.”
Summit attendees heard perspectives directly from members of Congress, as well as from various experts on critical topics including air traffic system modernization, the evolution of SAF and improving passenger rail travel.
In close to 150 meetings with legislators, attendees shared GBTA’s policy priorities for US business travel. Based on these priorities, GBTA constituents asked legislators to:
- Support the modernization of the air traffic system
- Improve business travel at US borders
- Support funding for the hiring of 5,000 additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers
- Reject efforts to extend the diversion of the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee
- Support additional resources for CBP’s implementation of the Entry and Exit Program in order to accelerate the safe facilitation of business travelers at the nation’s points of entry
- Support the inclusion of the extension of the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) through 2031
- Support future funding for US rail improvements
Summit attendees also shared with Congressional members key takeaways from the “GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study: Business Travel’s Impact on Jobs and the U.S. Economy” outlining how US business travel contributes $484.4 billion annually, or 1.9% of the US gross domestic product. They also showcased GBTA’s recent poll results reflecting industry concern about the potential negative impact of U.S. government actions on business travel.
GBTA announced Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) as the 2025 recipients of its GBTA Navigator Award. The award is presented to elected officials who have been strong advocates for issues integral to the business travel industry and recognizes them for championing the needs of business travelers and the broader travel sector.
