NBTA Impels Chapter Growth
<B>NBTA Impels Chapter Growth</B>
By Megan Hjermstad
The National Business Travel Association over the past year successfully has introduced three new regional chapters and increased membership in existing chapters through proactive promotional and educational efforts at the national and local levels.
The newest NBTA chapters are in Sacramento, Calif., Salt Lake City and South Carolina. The South Carolina chapter already is looking to expand beyond the Columbia area, where most of its members currently are concentrated.
"The nice thing is they all are very active chapters," said president of the chapter presidents council Elaine Kretten, travel and fleet manager at Cincinnati-based Senco Products Inc. "The numbers started very small, but they are growing."
The chapter presidents council is looking at adding new chapters in uncharted territory. Kretten said the Delaware Valley area has asked for a chapter and the Oklahoma/Nebraska area also has expressed interest.
The council also has been working to increase membership among weaker chapters. Although the San Antonio chapter, founded in 1998, disbanded because it didn't get enough volunteers, a few chapters that were floundering--such as the one in Kansas City--are strong again thanks to the council's efforts.
"We had one chapter that was in a lot of trouble, and we were looking to close or disband it," said Kretten. "When we sent out word of need for help, a lot of travel managers responded." Kretten said that chapter now has about 54 members, and half of those are direct members.
An NBTA chapter promotion this year also has helped increase membership and funding levels at a number of existing chapters. For instance, if a chapter recruited a person to join NBTA as a new member, the chapter received money back from NBTA. NBTA also sent the chapter a lead if someone joined at the national level. If the person joined the local BTA as well, that chapter got money back. "It was a win win for us," said Kretten. "What is really nice is all of them are direct members, who are really the core of our membership."
Meanwhile, strong chapters, such as those in Los Angeles and Oregon, have been increasing membership and offering educational opportunities at the local level. The Oregon chapter in May hosted its second day-long educational seminar and conference called the Future Forum for 200 members from chapters in Alaska, Inland Northwest, Puget Sound, the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. The program included NBTA president Cyndi Perper as the keynote speaker, a video of Senator Ron Wyden speaking on the Passenger Bill of Rights, breakout sessions and a trade show.
"As BTAs go, we are one of the more active chapters," said president Mike Mary, director of travel services at Adidas International in Portland, Ore. "We pride ourselves on doing things a little differently."
The chapter presidents board will convene this month to vote on a new mission statement. "We want to be more responsive to what the chapters need," said Kretten. "We are a conduit from NBTA to the chapters, but we would like to do more education for the chapters." Kretten noted that the council needs to teach new presidents meeting protocol and how to properly run a meeting, for example.
Also at the meeting, the board will vote on a couple of membership initiatives that will aim to bring more membership to NBTA from the chapters. The meeting will mark a transition to new leaders, all of whom will assume office in October. Kevin McGuire, travel manager at Tokyo Electron America Inc. in Austin, Texas, will take over as president for Kretten, who will stay on as chairperson. Sean McCurdy of Choice Hotels International will assume the office of vice president, replacing Debby Reynolds of American Airlines, who will become secretary, replacing Sheila Kittle of Raymond James Financial. Judy Mercel from Wilmorite Inc. will replace Nancy Bennett of Blue Shield as treasurer.