The National Business Travel Association Foundation today introduced the Global Leadership Professional designation, which builds on the teachings of the organization's existing master's degree-level offering, the Global Leadership Program, provided in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.
The NBTA Foundation said it created the new designation in response to demand from its master's level graduates for further project-based coursework. Sessions begin after the NBTA International Convention & Exposition in Boston next year and qualification is dependent on graduation from the Global Leadership Program.
Participants will work in teams on an industry-related project and present the findings during a session at the NBTA International Convention & Exposition in 2008. Additional responsibilities include attending two-day sessions to establish teams and project topics, as well three Web-based seminars and a one-day session to complete project material.
In a prepared statement, Ellen Keszler, chair of the NBTA Foundation and president of Sabre Corporate Solutions, said, "The designation program allows professionals the chance to build upon the foundation they achieved while completing the GLP coursework and to gain recognition for their knowledge and expertise with the GLP designation following their names."
In addition to the Global Leadership Program, the NBTA Foundation also offers the corporate travel executive and certified corporate travel executive certifications, comparable to brick-and-mortar associate and bachelor degrees, respectively. Earlier this year, nearly 100 people earned the CTE designation, about 350 earned the CCTE and roughly 325 people completed the Global Leadership Program
(BTN, March 20). Such educational sessions are open to all corporate travel professionals and tuition is discounted for NBTA members.