GBTA Convention 2023 - Know Before You Go Outline
Make the Most of Your Convention Experience
GBTA Convention 2023 is almost here! Take advantage of these helpful tips to make the most of your time in Dallas. Follow us on Twitter @GlobalBTA for upcoming announcements and share your photos & favorite memories using #GBTA2023.
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas: 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202
Main Entrances –
Rideshare Pick-Up and Drop-Off- Lobby C
Shuttle Pick-Up and Drop-Off- Lobby D
Walking Entrance Option- Lobby A/B
Wi-Fi Access: GBTA is providing complimentary Wi-Fi access at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. Login details can be found on the back of your name badge.
Dallas, TX is in the US Central Time Zone. Please make sure you are making your appointments and schedules in CT.
Mobile App
Download the GBTA Convention 2023 and make appointments, view education sessions and start making your plan! Download the GBTA Convention 2023 Attendee Hub Guide for helpful tips and tricks on appointments, my schedule and more!
- Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and download the GBTA App
- Search for “GBTA Convention” in the GBTA App
- Click the download icon to the right of the event name (a downward arrow icon)
- Input your first name, last name and email address that you registered with
- Input the six-digit verification code sent to your email and/or mobile phone
We’ll also be using the Mobile App for polling and satisfaction surveys during Convention sessions– make sure you download the app in advance, add sessions to your schedule, so you can participate and make your voice heard.
Enable push notifications for updates on the latest GBTA Convention 2023 announcements. If you have trouble logging in, please reach out to the GBTA Convention 2023 helpdesk at GBTAsupport@cvent.com or +1 833-696-7547.
Made Possible by:
Registration & Badge Info
Main Registration – Lobby D, Second Level
Friday, August 11 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT
Saturday, August 12 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT
Sunday, August 13 – 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM CT
Monday, August 14 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT
Tuesday, August 15 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT
Please be sure to bring your confirmation email with your QR code for a speedy badge pick-up process.
If you have changes or need further assistance upon arrival, please visit the Help Desk at the Main Registration counters or email conventionhelp@gbta.org.
Made Possible by:
Check Out Get Pica
Get any photos taken by our on-site photographer of you delivered directly to your inbox with Get Pica!
1. Download getPica app through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or access through getpica.com
2. Create an account
3. Enter our event code – #DALLAS23
4. Take a selfie so it can recognize your face – no one will see it
5. See the photos of you
Made Possible by:
Resources
Transportation
Shuttles
GBTA shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off is located at Lobby D. Shuttles will be available from the following hotels:
- AC Hotels by Marriott Dallas Downtown
- Adolphus Hotel
- Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown
- Fairmont Dallas Hotel
- Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown
- Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
- Homewood Suites Dallas Downtown
- Hotel Indigo
- Lorenzo Hotel
- Residence Inn by Marriott Dallas Downtown
- Sheraton Dallas
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dallas Downtown
- Westin Dallas Downtown
Please see the shuttle schedule and map in the link here. The schedule and map will be available at each hotel, and in the mobile app for the shuttle schedule.
Public Transportation/ Rideshare
The Rideshare Pick-Up and Drop-Off is located at Lobby C, in between S Griffin St. and S Lamar St.
Public transportation is readily available and convenient when attending an event at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD). Amtrak and the Trinity Railway Express both service Dallas Union Station, which is located just 2 1/2 blocks northeast of the Convention Center.
Rideshare is an alternate way to explore Dallas. Need a ride from the airport? Look for the designated pickup area at the airport’s transportation plaza. And as a safety tip, always double check the vehicle’s license plate with your rideshare app before starting your ride.
Expo Hours
Walk the expo floor and meet over 300 exhibitors during open expo floor hours:
- Welcome Reception in EXPO – Sunday, August 13 - 5:15 – 7:30 PM
- EXPO Open – Monday, August 14 - 1:30 PM - 5:45 PM
- EXPO Open – Tuesday, August 15 - 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
There will be absolutely nobody, except exhibitors, allowed onto the Expo floor for safety reasons during the following hours:
- Wednesday, August 09, 2023 - 12:00PM - 4:30 PM Targeted
- Thursday, August 10, 2023 - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Targeted
- Friday, August 11, 2023 - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Targeted
- Saturday, August 12, 2023 - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Sunday, August 13, 2023 - 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Booths are still getting built and heavy equipment is still roaming around the tradeshow floor. Monday and Tuesday morning Expo is also closed to anyone, except exhibitors, during the Education and Main Stage session times.
Sponsor-contracted Business Lounges are open during the following hours:
- Sunday, August 13: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- Monday, August 14: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, August 15: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Business Lounges will have a separate entrance in Lobby D. Meetings can take place anytime during the hours above in the Business Lounges, including with non-GBTA Convention registrants (who must obtain a special pass from our registration desk).
Sustainability for Exhibitors
GBTA has created a Green Exhibitor’s Guide with tips to make the booths more sustainable. Guide accessible here.
Post-Convention – We encourage all exhibitors to donate furniture and electronics by signing up through this form and emailing it to Lisa.Strom@oakviewgroup.com
Convention Education Sessions
The schedule for the Education sessions is below. The session names, descriptions, and speakers can be found in the mobile app.
Adding a session to your schedule does NOT guarantee a seat in the room. This only adds it to your personal schedule. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
The Education Session rooms are located in different areas throughout the Convention Center and Omni Hotel. Please familiarize yourself with the maps in the app to figure out where you are going.
Monday, August 14 and Tuesday, August 15
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Coffee Served
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM Education Sessions
9:15 AM - 9:45 AM Coffee Break
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM Education Sessions
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Transition Break
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Education Sessions
GBTA Sustainability Initiative and Greening Convention Efforts
Make sure to pass by our GBTA Sustainability Initiative’s booth located in the Sustainability Pavilion to learn more about the GBTA Foundation and how GBTA is championing climate action in business travel.
Interested in minimizing your climate impact? Calculate and offset your travel emissions here.
Do you want to help make Convention more sustainable? Read more about how GBTA continues its efforts toward a Greener Convention here.
For the second consecutive year, GBTA will be calculating and reporting on the emissions linked to Convention 2023. Access GBTA Convention 2022 Carbon Footprint report here.
Accessibility & Inclusivity
GBTA is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive event that enables all individuals to engage fully. Our targeted initiatives are listed here.
New this year!
GBTA has partnered with Sage Inclusion to ensure that the GBTA Convention 2023 is inclusive and accessible for all.
GBTA has partnered with Wordly AI Powered Translation to provide real-time translation of sessions into audio and captions for 30+ languages.
The following sessions will utilize the Wordly Captioning and Translation services-
- All Four Main Stage Sessions
- All 90+ Education Sessions
- All Expo Theater Sessions
Preview the Convention Food and Beverage Menu in advance in the link here!
GBTA strives to make our Convention food and beverage offerings accessible to everyone. All food items will be labeled onsite and banquet staff will be knowledgeable about menu ingredients and allergens.
Global Entry Interviews
GBTA attendees have the opportunity to renew or enroll in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry program. CBP officers will be at the Global Business Travel Association Convention in Dallas in August 2023, to conduct in-person enrollment interviews for CBP’s Global Entry program. View all details>
GBTA Board of Directors Elections
The newly elected Board of Directors will be announced Tuesday, August 15 during the afternoon Main Stage session.
Reminders & Safety Tips
Reminders and Tips
- The weather in Dallas will be hot, but the Convention Center will be cool! Please pack and bring layers to adjust to the AC in the building.
- General Convention attire is business casual.
General Safety Tips
- Remove your badge when you are not attending a GBTA Convention event, especially when walking around the streets after hours. If you lose your badge, please report it to GBTA immediately.
- Be aware of your surroundings, know where your hotel is located.
- Use common sense.
- If you see something, say something.
Key Convention Events
Get Active with SIXT
Date & Time: Sunday, August 13 from 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center – Arena
Please arrive to check-in between 6:30 AM – 6:50 AM, so we can start on time.
T-shirts: T-shirt pick-up will be available on Saturday, August 12 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, located in the Convention Registration area. Alternatively, on the day of the event, you can also pick up your T-shirt starting at 6:30 AM.
Additional details:
- We will provide water, light snacks, and of course Air Conditioning! Remember to bring your re-usable water bottles.
- Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and tennis shoes. The circuit workout will consist of different stations focused on a variety of muscle groups and exercises.
- You must be registered to attend this event. You can register onsite, but please arrive at 6:30 AM, so we can get you registered before the start of the session.
Made Possible by:
Peer to Peer Buyer-Only Sessions
BUYERS ONLY: Project Crew and Team Travel – Roundtable Discussion
Date & Time: Sunday, August 13 from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (lunch will be provided)
Location: D221
In 2022, GBTA hosted the first Project, Crew & Team Travel (PCTT) Summit that provided a unique, collaborative incubator style foregistrationrum for buyers from non-traditional travel spend to discuss their biggest challenges and opportunities. We are ready to take the findings from last year’s Summit and start the conversation on how to problem-solve the following challenges that were previously identified:
- Highly manual processes
- Limited visibility
- Contingency planning
Join us to re-start the conversation at Convention by sharing your unique experience and perspective on the above challenges that may impact your day to day. The conversations at Convention will propel the discussions at the 2023 PCTT Summit in New Orleans on October 11.
Want to learn more about the event and who should attend? Visit the PCTT Webpage for more information.
BUYERS ONLY: Hot Topics – Roundtable Discussion
Date & Time: Sunday, August 13 from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (lunch will be provided)
Location: D222
Meet with fellow Buyers to have peer to peer roundtable discussions on various “Hot Topics” in the business travel industry!
- Artificial Intelligence
- Buyer/Supplier Relationships
- NDC
- Travel Policy
- Traveler Wellbeing
- And many more!
Connect First Open House
Date & Time: Sunday, August 13 from 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Location: Ballrooms C3-4
As a first time attendee or someone who is looking to learn more about Convention, you are invited to attend the Connect First Open House.
Here you will have the chance to-
- Get to know GBTA and the Convention
- Learn tips and tricks on how to get the most out of the Convention
- Network with other new attendees, make a new connection right from the start of Convention
- Connect with seasoned GBTA attendees and leadership
Learn more about the Connect First program across the three days of Convention.
Made Possible by:
Convention 2023 Welcome Reception
Find Your All: A Celebration of Dallas Culture and Community
Date & Time: Sunday, August 13 from 5:15 PM – 7:30 PM CT
Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center – In the EXPO Hall (Entrance at Hall B)
Learn more>
Join us immediately following the Opening Main Stage for the GBTA Welcome Reception in EXPO. The Welcome Reception is included with all Full Convention registrations. Guest tickets may be purchased during the registration process.
*Badges are required for entry. Please see the registration desk before coming to the EXPO.
Welcome Reception Made Possible by:
Sports Center Made Possible by:
State Fair Made Possible by:
Arts District Made Possible by:
Questions?
If you have any questions about your GBTA Convention 2023 experience, please email us at conventionhelp@gbta.org.
You can locate GBTA Staff and Convention Ambassadors onsite by looking for the people wearing orange buttons. Please let us know if we can assist you onsite.
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Dallas!