As we approach year end, I would like to review our Association accomplishments in the second half, and recognize some of the many members who contributed their time to make a difference.

We kicked-off July by co-hosting the annual joint meeting with our sister chapter, BABTA, at the Sofitel Hotel.  The meeting drew 150 attendees and was the culminated efforts of the Joint Meeting Planning committee, which convened in February:  

Al Gilbert, Programs Director; Diane Driscoll, Public Relations Director; Jeanette Fletcher, Business Development Director; Dan Mason, Treasurer; and Kathy Burdge, Vice President.

The event was further enhanced with a member development training class, under the leadership of our Education and Professional Development Director, Jan Wyer. She successfully coordinated GBTA’s Fundamentals of Business Travel Management course, for the second time in less than a year, and graduated 12 new Corporate Travel Executives (CTEs).

The next month, a campaign for contributions to NBTAPAC was waged by having computers and volunteers available to encourage sending emails to our government representatives.  Your Government Relations Director, Judy Hommen, orchestrated the crusade at our August meeting, enabling us to exceed our annual goals.  SVBTA qualified as a Chapter Partner, the third consecutive year, for GBTA’s annual Chapter Challenge.  As a result, five of our members attending the Denver convention were invited to have their photo taken with keynote speaker Meg Whitman that same month.

In mid-September we held the 17^th Annual SVBTA Golf Classic, at the San Jose Country Club.  Golf Director Terry Brodt and his Golf Committee executed another entertaining, eventful, and successful tournament.  The day of golf with special guest, LPGA legend Muffin Spencer-Devlin, was followed by a reception, dinner, as well as silent and live auctions.  The event raised much needed funds for our Association to improve our future monthly meetings and educational events.

In October, Diane coordinated introductions to the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal and began exploring ways we may work together.  The following month, your PR Director collaborated with Judy to craft your Association’s position on the SJC airport’s proposed CFC fee increases, which I personally delivered at the 8 November San Jose City Council meeting. 

We also sent ten delegates to the GBTA Chapter Leadership Summit, where your chapter had entries selected which filled two of six slots at the inaugural Chapter Excellence Showcase.  Jan presented our E-Day for Educational Events, while Debra Turner discussed our use of Social Media; both presentations are posted on the GBTA website’s Chapter Successful Practice Center.  Behind the scenes your Technology Director, Bethany Clements, has been working diligently with our administration to oversee the creation of our award winning SVBTA website that you will be able to experience in December, using an upgraded and innovative link to all your Association information and members.  

Our move from one large Charity Event to smaller monthly activities this year gained traction through various activities organized by Community Outreach Director, Lynn Brown.  A few of the many activities include, share your Lunch collections, Backpack Drive, Career Clothing and toiletries, as well as participation in the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.

We are committed to recognizing our members for their accomplishments.  Our Member of the Quarter award was given to Laura Hodgkinson from eBay for the first quarter, Mazie Rice from Cathay Pacific for the second quarter, and Ralph Randle from Hitachi Data Systems for the third quarter.  The Allied Board members continue to hold monthly business card drawings for our Allied Member Spotlight recognition, appearing on our website.  Adding to recognition programs for the year, I was pleased to inaugurate a President’s Award at the December meeting, to recognize the member that assisted the President most throughout the year.  Congratulations to co-recipients, Diane, for her outstanding management of the Association’s public relations department, and Dan, for his many improvements to the Association’s treasury function!  Finally, this will also be the first year of our Silver Platter award presented to the venue that facilitated the best meeting of the year, directly resulting from our member survey responses.

Your colleagues, including those cited above, are already involved in making our chapter the most successful in the nation, with a solid foundation to build upon in 2012.  I personally encourage you to join them by volunteering for any of the many member opportunities available to participate and contribute towards the most innovative and dynamic chapter in the country.