A schedule of events and sessions held at GBTA Conference 2019 – Toronto April 15-17.
Register for GBTA Conference 2019 – Toronto and learn about the latest trends in Canadian business travel. Connect with your peers April 15 – 17, 2019.
Reach thousands of travel buyers representing Canada’s business travel industry. Sponsor GBTA Conference 2019 – Toronto today.
Showcase your company’s products and services at Canada’s largest business travel Expo.
Note to Suppliers – GBTA Canada appreciates that suppliers wish to capitalize on the conference attendance by hosting supplemental events in and around the conference program. Please NOTE that it is imperative, however, that these side-bar events be scheduled so as not to conflict with any of the GBTA Canada Conference Program, which also include the off-site Opening Welcome Reception and the Big Night Out. Suppliers who host events overlapping the conference agenda are at risk of losing access to the conference itself.
All events will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre unless otherwise noted
Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management™
(additional registration required for this add-on, 2-day professional development course, $450 CAD + HST)
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Global Leaders Reception (by Invitation ONLY)
Location: Fairmont Royal York Hotel
8:00am - 5:00pm
Registration Opens
1:30pm - 2:00pm
Kick-Start Professional Development Sessions
Choice of 2 Professional Development Sessions
2:00pm - 2:30pm
2:30PM – 3:30PM
SUPPLIERS ONLY – Session
Supplier based Professional Development Session
BUYERS ONLY – Direct Talk – Part 1
Calling ALL Buyers! This is your chance to be behind closed doors in a room of your peers for a Direct Talk session. Guided by Buyers from GBTA Canada’s Advisory Board, with topics that are of current importance to YOU, this Direct Talk session will prove to be a valuable opportunity to share best-practices, discuss current issues and trends and come together. As a travel buyer, you will have valuable feedback from your peers and make lasting connections on relevant business fronts.
3:30PM – 4:30PM
Connect First Open House
Welcome to all NEW attendees and those NOT SO NEW…
New to attending the GBTA Canada Conference… OR simply want to connect with your conference peers in advance of all the activities? Connect First with the GBTA Canada Advisory Board and GBTA Canada Conference Taskforce Volunteers for this informational, networking gathering. Veteran GBTA members will share their insights on how to make the most out of your conference experience. You will hear first-hand from industry peers, buyers and suppliers alike, about how GBTA Canada has benefited them within their career paths, and tips on how to optimize your conference experience ahead. You will have a chance to get to know others attending the conference with ice breaking activities, to Evolve your conference experience.
5:00PM – 6:30PM
Opening Reception Join your fellow conference go’ers for an opportunity to meet, mix and mingle before the conference kicks into full-swing. NEW this year, the reception will take place on the conference Expo Floor so you can informally preview the exhibitors!
Location: Expo Hall
Networking Breakfast & Registration
Light continental breakfast
8:30AM - 10:00AM
Day 1 – Opening Centre Stage
GBTA Canada Opens our 15th annual, Conference. Join us to hear from industry insiders and leaders of business discuss the Canadian Business Travel Industry trends, and perspectives.
10:15AM – 12:00PM
Tech Talks Technology innovators are changing the travel landscape as we know it. This series of 15-minute power Tech Talks will enlighten you on the latest and greatest travel tech offerings
10:15AM – 10:45AM
Education Sessions (30 mins) Choice of 3 concurrent education sessions:
11:00AM – 11:30AM
11:45AM – 12:15PM
12:30PM - 2:30PM
Day 1 – Centre Stage & Lunch
Sit down formal Lunch and Keynote speaker(s)
Keynote: Stay tuned for another awe-inspiring GBTA Canada Lunch Keynote presentation.
2:30PM - 5:00PM
Expo Hall
Engage with our largest and most diverse offering of exhibitors ever.
Optimize your expo experience by:
6:30PM – 10:30PM
Big Night Out!
Toronto’s fun hot spot, The Rec Room – Back by Popular Demand!
Located at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto, just steps away from the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Air Canada Centre and Billy Bishop Airport. The Rec Room redefines the meaning of fun with over 40,000 sq. feet of great games, mouth-watering eats and amazing entertainment, all packed under 1 roof!
The Rec Room is the place to let go, be playful and experience something new and exciting.
7:45AM – 8:45AM
BUYERS ONLY – Direct Talk – Part 2
Breakfast included
Calling ALL Buyers! Continue the conversation… This is your chance to be behind closed doors in a room of your peers for a Direct Talk session. Guided by Buyers from GBTA Canada’s Advisory Board, with topics identified that are of current importance to YOU, this Direct Talk session will prove to be a valuable opportunity to share best-practices, discuss current issues and trends and come together. As a travel buyer, you will have valuable feedback from your peers and make lasting connections on relevant business fronts.
9:00AM – 10:00AM
Centre Stage
Thought provoking industry experts and leaders of business come together to share their knowledge and expertise on business today and the future of business travel.
10:00AM – 11:30AM
11:45AM – 12:45PM
Tech Talks Technology innovators are changing the travel landscape as we know it. This series of 15 minute power Tech Talks will enlighten you on the latest and greatest travel tech offerings
11:30AM – 12:00PM
12:15PM – 12:45PM
Education Sessions (30 mins) Choice of 3 concurrent education sessions
1:00PM – 2:30PM
Closing Centre Stage & Sit Down Lunch Keynote speaker
Be prepared to be amazed with another iconic Canadian keynote speaker to wrap up GBTA’s 15th annual Canadian Conference.