The Global Business Travel Association backed off its plan to require U.S.
local chapters to participate in a new financial and organizational model
originally dubbed Chapter of the Future, instead offering the option to accept
an "upgraded chapter charter
agreement" or maintain current affiliation agreements, which won't change.
The new plan is based on the recommendation of the Chapter Task Force, which was formed in April 2012.
Those chapters opting in to the new agreement will participate
"in the GBTA Chapter Technology Initiative as well as the opportunity to
participate in future cooperatively planned initiatives," according to the
association. They also will adopt Star Chapter, the association's current third-party
chapter management system.
Eighteen chapters agreed to sign the new agreement, according to GBTA executive
director Michael McCormick, speaking with BTN
on Monday. Others remained undecided or decided against participation. McCormick
said there is no set deadline by which chapters must decide.
"We've all reached the comfort level that we're all going to
be in this together for the long term as we have in the past, and we will
all benefit by implementing the program we're developing together," McCormick
said. "All the work that was done over the past year by the
Task Force helped everyone to realize that we could all get to the
outcome we want, even without having set deadlines or time periods."
According to an association statement, the new approach "is fiscally equitable and clarifies
expectations and establishes accountability for all parties. It is based upon a
sustainable game plan that recognizes the value created by all involved."
McCormick said tests of the updated system will begin this
summer.
The Pittsburgh Business Travel Association wasn't sold. "They've
yet to quantify the return on investment," said chapter president Sean
McCurdy. "We're going to opt out."