The National Business Travel Association and Brazil's ABGEV announced a "five-year" agreement to expand their existing partnership

. Closer cooperation between the two groups includes reciprocal membership, discounted event attendance and an improved AGBEV website backed by NBTA funding and technology. "As Brazil and South America continue to play an increasingly critical role in the global economy, there is a clear demand for greater education and training on business travel and meetings best practices," according to NBTA executive director Mike McCormick. The two groups on Feb. 20-22 in Sao Paulo will host the sixth annual Latin America Corporate Travel and Technology Exchange.