The Global Business Travel Association has launched a
Brazilian chapter following the termination of its relationship with the Associação
Brasileira de Gestores de Eventos e Viagens Corporativas (Brazilian Business
Travel Association) last month.
GBTA Brazil is the association's newest volunteer chapter in
Latin America, a roster that also includes organizations in Argentina, Costa
Rica, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Panama, according to GBTA Latin America
director Luis Yglesias. The association also named Wellington Costa, TCG
Consulting regional director for Latin America and former travel manager for
Sedco Forex Drilling Co., as GBTA Brazil's president.
GBTA said it ended its event and marketing relationship with
ABGEV on Dec. 15, noting that "mutual discussion" of "different
strategic priorities" led to a parting of ways for the two organizations.
ABGEV in 2008 joined as a GBTA regional affiliate, and the
two organizations worked together on the Latin American Corporate Travel &
Technology Exchange. Early last year, the two organizations announced a
five-year expanded partnership, continuing to work together on LACTTE while
allowing shared privileges for members of both organizations, including
reciprocal membership.