The Global Business Travel Association and Georgia Business
Travel Association are heading to arbitration to settle the "breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty" and other claims brought last month by
the former against the local chapter.
GBTA attorneys this month began arbitration proceedings
before the American Arbitration Association. GeorgiaBTA officials confirmed the
group received the arbitration demand. In prepared remarks sent to BTN, GeorgiaBTA president Haley Johnson
said, "GeorgiaBTA is confident that it will prevail on the merits in the
arbitration proceeding and in the meanwhile GeorgiaBTA will continue to provide
the highest level of professional support and networking to its members."
A provision in the National Business Travel Association
(GBTA's previous name) affiliate contracts stipulate that any contractual
disputes would be settled by arbitration.
"Although we will continue to work for a favorable
resolution to this issue, in light of the Georgia Business Travel Association's
recent actions we are moving forward to protect the rights of GBTA, our members
and affiliates," according to prepared remarks from GBTA executives issued
last week in a press release.
The release noted that GBTA "also reached out to
potential Georgia BTA partners to notify them that their actions may have
contributed to the Georgia Business Travel Association's breach of
contract."
Since July 23 when it ended its exclusive affiliation with
the global association, GeorgiaBTA launched a new website and detailed programs
for upcoming monthly educational programs. GeorgiaBTA in June announced plans to end the exclusive affiliation in favor of partnerships with multiple
organizations.