Travel Times 2023 - March/April 
President's Report
Written by Kari Bigot
What an exciting time of year… Spring! I promise… it’s coming😊! Spring brings us a time for renewal, a time to shake off the winter blues, open the windows and bring in the fresh air.
This is also a busy time of year for our chapter. The Board of Directors is working diligently to make your membership valuable and with the arrival of Spring, there are several items to bring to your attention. And, several opportunities for YOU to spring into action!
Applications for a GBTA North Central 2023 Scholarship will open soon. Please keep an eye out and apply ASAP! Scholarship funds can be used towards reimbursement of items such as local membership dues, ongoing education, GBTA Convention, Education Day registration, GBTA Educational programs, etc.. Here are a few important items to remember:
- One application per member may be submitted
- Scholarship is valid for 1 year from date of award
- A member can only receive a scholarship once every 3 years
- Scholarships will be reimbursed once the educational event has been paid for
Mark your calendars now… Education Summit is being held May 11th in Stillwater, MN. The organizing committee has put together a great lineup of speakers and topics! We hope you can join us for this premier event of the year!
GBTA North Central Board of Directors Election… nominations are out, and voting will open soon for our 2023 Board of Directors Election. All GBTA North Central members are asked to vote as we elect a President Elect, a Direct Vice President, an Allied Vice President, two (2) Direct Member Representatives, and one (1) Allied Member Representatives. If you are not able to vote in advance, you will have an opportunity to submit your vote electronically at our Education Summit.
Did you know the current GBTA President, Denise Truso, started her GBTA professional development path by joining our very own GBTA North Central Board of Directors?
What path will you take with GBTA? I encourage you to consider running for one of the open seats (yes, that means nominate yourself). Being involved with the future of GBTA North Central will give you the best ROI on your membership! If you have questions or simply want to talk about what it means to be involved and serve as a Board Member, please free to reach out to me direct at (973) 765-7953 or [email protected].
I wish you all a very happy spring and look forward to seeing you soon!
Kari S. Bigot, President
Member Highlight
Riana van Staden
Regional Director of Sales and Marketing
Hotel Indigo Minneapolis Downtown
Work history: I started my career in catering sales and convention services. My goal was to be a Director of Catering and I was so honored to join the prior Sofitel Minneapolis in that position and worked there until they closed in 2013. After that position, I set my goal on becoming a Director of Sales and Marketing and was able to join a great company, Marcus Hotels and Resorts, and work at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington. In 2018 I was given the opportunity to also manage the team at the Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis which closed in 2020. Recently I took a regional position with GLMG Hotels, and we just opened the beautiful brand-new Hotel Indigo in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. It has been such a great and new experience and I am thrilled to be part of the team.
What made you decide to work in travel: I grew up in South Africa and was very fortunate to travel around the world with my family as my dad had an International company. We stayed in so many different gorgeous locations and hotels. Having these opportunities just made me realize how much I wanted to be part of the industry.
Why did you join the GBTA North Central Chapter?: I have been working in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market for 20 years and GBTA North Central Chapter has been a reputable organization throughout my career. I have met so many great people through the years and I continue to learn things that have helped me advance in what I do.
Are you currently on a committee/board within our chapter?: I am part of the PAC committee, which I joined in February this year.
How long have you been a member of our organization?: Joined in 2022, however I have attended many events throughout the years.
What are the biggest changes you’ve experienced in regard to working with travel: It is forever changing, and it is important to embrace change. Technology, markets, demand, and supply are some of the many things that has changed over the years. Being part of GBTA and other industry organizations help you stay in the know so that you can adapt successfully.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working with travel?: The amount of amazing people you meet. I have met and continue to meet so many wonderful people. I would also say that every position I had has taught me so many things that have helped me in my career. I believe that whichever position you hold is always the base that can lead to another.
Just for fun:
What is currently occupying your personal life?: Winter, unfortunately, it restricts the things I love doing outside however spring is around the corner.
If you had to live somewhere other than Minnesota, where would you move to?: My goal is to live in Atlanta, Georgia in future. It is a great city and not far from many other fabulous cities in the US.
Most memorable experience in your life: I have so many because I had the opportunity to travel to so many destinations. There is however nothing to me like going on safari and admiring the wildlife.
Favorite trip you’ve taken: I love going back to South Africa to visit my family. In my last visit I added Vilanculos in Mozambique which is so breathtaking.
Favorite pastime or leisure activity: I love trying out new restaurants in the city and going to the movies.
Favorite food: Cheese, I love all types!
Where do you live / marital status: I live in Woodbury with my partner Corey and my daughter, Charlotte.
Favorite sport: Football and rugby
Favorite color: Green
Favorite drink: I can’t live without coffee that is for sure.
Welcome New Members
Written by Patti Anderson
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
January – Kenna Olson, Embassy Suites Hotel Minneapolis Airport
Renee Baker, Delta Airlines
February – Wendy Wilson-Gustafson, Water Walk Minneapolis, Plymouth
Jeff Urban, Sixt Rent the Car
Please welcome Sarah Peltier, Four Seasons Hotel and Angela Wisely, Double Tree Hotel Roseville to the membership committee. Our goal is to gain new members with a primary focus on direct membership and increase awareness of GBTA North Central in our local market as well as outlying markets. If you know of potential new members that we should contact to join GBTA North Central, please let Sarah, Angela or myself know.
NEW FOR 2023! We have updated the membership area on the GBTA North Central website to encourage members to add the monthly pre-paid meeting package when they join GBTA North Central. (or renew their membership) By adding the prepaid meeting package, you can easily register for all upcoming meetings including Education Day and Holiday Gala!
Meeting Recap
March 2023 Meeting Recap
Written by Valerie Barnes
Grant Caplan, GBTA DEI Committee Chair and President of Procurigence, lead the discussion on Why a Corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program is Critical to Your Success.
Grant explained that individuals are good at fostering DEI, while companies are not. Diversity and inclusion can be invisible, while equity can create confusion with equality. Belonging is where all three come together. To encourage belonging, companies should target DEI communities to celebrate, encourage and educate.
The GBTA DEI committee’s mission is to be BOLD, BRAVE and CURIOUS. There are 6 main DEI issues they will focus on with related projects including member surveys, industry standards, internships, mentoring, and an education partner to provide DEI certification.
- Gender balance
- Gender equality – partner with WinIT
- Mental health – travel discussion paper
- Accessibility – project from Ladders finalists
- Race and culture
- LGBTQ+ - paper and education session
Grant shared the importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable by asking questions on uncomfortable topics that will help foster a DEI culture. He also discussed how being data-informed, rather than data-driven, helps you make educated decisions using many factors (intuition, experience, background/context).
The path to DEI is a multi-stage approach that may include soliciting internal and external guidance and connecting the effort to ERG’s and Ambassadors. Then it requires action from these discussions. Companies with strong DEI cultures have a competitive edge. As a travel buyer, ask RFP questions around DEI initiatives and programs with potential suppliers. You can make a difference.
February Meeting Recap and Survey Results
Written by Cathy Taylor-Sharp, Video by Kari Bigot
The February networking event included GBTA North Central, HSMAI, MPI Minnesota, and NACE organizations in the first-ever all-organization meeting, bringing more than 140 travel and events leaders together at the Westin Edina Galleria! Follow this link to view a recap of our “Share the Love of Travel & Events” event held on February 2, 2023.
The event was a huge success and survey results and comments were extremely favorable!
Overall Satisfaction with the Networking Event:
79% Very Satisfied
21% Satisfied
Overall Satisfaction with the Venue:
84% Very Satisfied
16% Satisfied
What did you like most about this event?
Great turnout!
Focus on networking with a component of education/speaker content/an opportunity to connect with peers.
The networking with other association and members which we normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to do so.
A full crowd of happy people!
Connecting with others in the industry.
Coming together of the MPLS meetings and event planners!
It was great to see old friends that were part of other business associations and to meet new ones!
The location, happy hour atmosphere and networking!
Meeting and talking with others from similar industries!
The layout and food!
Energetic and worthwhile!
We are hoping to make this an annual event!
Committee Highlights
Education Summit Committee
Written by Wanda Baumgartner
The GBTA North Central Education Summit Committee announces the 2023 Education Summit & Supplier Tradeshow. Join us for a full day of valuable education, seminars, and networking. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Interested in showcasing your organization, new products and services? Sign up for a table during the Supplier Tradeshow.
Here are a few of the education topics that we’re bringing to you at Education Summit:
- Manage Up! How to Get Internal Buy-In from Stakeholders, with Katie Virtue from FESTIVE ROAD and a soon-to-be announced Travel Buyer panel.
- ISO 31030 -The New Travel Risk Management Standard: The What, the Why and How it Can Benefit Your Organization, with Kevin Coffey, Travel and Meeting Risk Trainer
- GBTA Government Relations Chapter Challenge and Legislative Summit, with Dylan Mooers, Cornerstone Government Relations, GBTA Advocacy Consultant
Click here to visit our event page and register now!
Date: Thursday, May 11th, 2023
Location: JX Venue
123 2nd ST. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
PAC Update
PAC Update
Written by Anne Lawler
Have an opportunity to attend Legislative Day in Washington D.C. in June 2023 and take part of the PAC 2023 Chapter Challenge!
We recently received our PAC 2023 Chapter Challenge and wanted to share it with you all. The following table lists all the activities we are expected to accomplish as a chapter. Each activity has a point balance. The chapter that accumulates the most points will receive 2 free registrations for the 2024 Summit in Washington D.C.
We will update you at our next meeting on where we are with each of these activities. We welcome your participation as we take on this challenge.
REMINDER: As most of you know, Bernie Fautch, former GBTA North Central President and friend to many, passed away in 2021. Bernie was a devoted advocate for travel industry legislation. In his honor, the Board has started The Bernie Fautch Scholarship. All members who donate to the PAC from November 2022 through April 2023, during our monthly meetings, will have their name entered into a drawing to attend Legislative Day in Washington D.C., in June 2023. Air, hotel, and registration are included in the scholarship.
Your PAC team: Lori Reid, Riana van Staden, and Anne Lawler
Catch up with Kari
GBTA North Central – Catch up with Kari
By Kari Bigot
We are thrilled to socialize the first in a series of video interviews "spotlighting" GBTA North Central members who have given time and energy to the business travel industry! Our first interview with Kari Bigot, President and Andrew Maki, Allied VP, highlighting Andrew’s personal experience volunteering within GBTA North Central and the rewarding outcomes Andrew experienced.
Click the photo below for a video interview between Kari and Andrew.
Thank you, Andrew, for sharing your experience and thoughts with our membership! Stay tuned on LinkedIn for more member spotlights!