1. What the heck is going on in DC? And why you should pay attention!
Shane Downey
Director, Public Policy
Global Business Travel Association

2. Global Business Travel Association
Expanded global footprint of networking and educational events, many of which will be complimentary for members
Free worldwide registration for members to all GBTA webinars
Access to new and improved industry research and resources – including global benchmarking tools
Enhanced online collaboration and information sharing
An internationally driven and interconnected committee network offering global guidance
Continued expansion of the GBTA network for representation in every major business travel market
New URL: gbta.org

3. Global Advocacy Passenger Safety, Privacy & Efficiency
Health of Travel the Travel Infrastructure
Fair Taxation & Fees
Number 1 --
It is imperative that business travelers be able to travel safely, efficiently and with dignity.
Number 2 — Transportation infrastructure must keep pace with the needs of the business traveler.
And number 3 —
Travel taxes must be fair and benefit all travelers.

4. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
-- Margaret Mead
New Congress – new leaders
Organization leaders – industry leader - Lead by example 4

5. Session Agenda Budget Debate Air Traffic Infrastructure
Airport Screening
U.S. Visa Policy
Traveler Taxes

6. Budget Control Act Super Committee
Tasked with cutting $1.5 trillion over 10 years plus another $447 billion for Pres.’ Jobs bill
Key Dates
October 14 – House and Senate Committee chairs submit proposed cuts
Super Committee will form deficit reduction bill
If approved by November – will be fastracked
January 15 – If Congress fails to pass reducing deficit by $1.2 trillion – triggers automatic across the board cuts (SS & others exempted)
Super Committee – everything on table

7. FAA Reauthorization with NEXTGEN Funding is Good For Biz Travel
The Need is NOW
NEXTGEN moves the Air Traffic Control System from year old ground based system to 21st Century GPS model
Increases capacity 2-3 times
Reduces delays by 40%
Passed Senate and House – moving to Conference – May 31 – 18th cR
Game Changer – abacus
Alaska Airlines – pilot program 2.1 million gallons annually

8. Inefficiencies of ATC can be addressed through NextGen
Additional burn due to reroute 1493 lbs
Optimal Route Burn 5883 lbs.
Boston, MA
Actual Route flown
Optimal Route
Actual Route Burn 7376 lbs.
Large Air Carrier: DCA to BOS, December 2008
Washington, D.C. 8 8 8

10. Business Aviation
2008 DHS Rule large Aircraft Security Program
Corporate and private operations – required to adopt a large aircraft security program
Tool Company wouldn’t have been allowed take tools on their private planes
TSA went back to drawing board
New rule expected Soon – General aviation industry cautiously optimistic

11. TSA Admin at GBTA Convention

12. TSA Checkpoints Aviation Security
“TSA does not need to have an officer in a separate room viewing the images, since they will now be displayed on a monitor that is attached to the AIT unit in public view, so
passengers and TSA staff can both see exactly
what is being shown.” – TSA Website
The House Subcommittee on Transportation Security on Wednesday unanimously approved an amendment to the annual TSA Authorization Act of 2011 that would put an end to "naked" full-body images currently produced by Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines at U.S. airports.
The scanners, which were first deployed at U.S. airports beginning in 2007, have been widely criticized, with privacy advocates arguing the images are too revealing.
Under the amendment, introduced by Rep. Chip Craavack (R-Minn.), a former airline pilot, the Transportation Security Administration would have 90 days to install automated target recognition software on all AIT machines. The new software produces a generic, stick figure outline of a person being screened rather than a detailed, passenger-specific image. If a traveler has a suspicious item on their body, it shows up as a red box on a specific area of a stick figure outline.

13. GBTA Applauds TSA’s Plan to Launch a Trusted Traveler Pilot Program
“Alexandria, VA (July 14, 2011) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) –applauded (TSA) announcement of the launch of a pilot program for a much-needed Trusted Traveler system.”
Delta, American airlines participating
4 airports ATL, Detroit, DFW, Miami
Focused on airline frequent flyers
Congress supportive of these efforts – House and Senate bills have called for broader enrollment

14. U.S. Visa Policy
Brazil days
China – 120 days

15. Travel = American Jobs, U.S. Exports & Economic Growth
Inbound international travel currently: 
Supports 1.8 million U.S. jobs.
Top industry export sector – more than $134 billion in direct travel spending in the U.S.  
Overseas visitors spend on average $4000 in the U.S. per visit
Global travel spending is expected to double over the next decade reaching $2.1 trillion and making travel an increasingly important contributor to GDP growth for countries able to attract more overseas visitors.

16. U.S. Visa Policy
The key barriers to increasing overseas travel to America are:
A highly inefficient and unpredictable visa application approval process.
Lack of personnel to process and interview visa applicants and lack of access to a U.S. consular facility.
Poor planning and communication to applicants

17. Taking Down Those Barriers = Huge Opportunity Gains at No Cost to Taxpayers
Recapturing America’s historic 17 percent share of worldwide overseas travel would, with little or no cost to taxpayers:
Attract 98 million more legitimate visitors
Create an additional 1.3 million U.S. jobs by 2020 compared with 2010
Inject $859 billion into the U.S. economy

18. Smart Visa Policy Is the Key to More American Jobs, More U. S
Smart Visa Policy Is the Key to More American Jobs, More U.S. Exports & More Growth
Here’s how we can increase America’s share of overseas travel:
Align consular affairs with market demands.  
Reduce visa interview wait times to 10 days or fewer and match Western Europe’s share of international visitors in Brazil, China and India
Improve planning
Preserve and expand the Visa Waiver Program.

19. Rental Car Taxes?

20. Rental Car Taxes

21. Rental Car Tax Bad for Business Travelers
$5.9 Billion collected since 1990
Car rental taxes have doubled in 10 years
Today there are 119 car rental excise taxes across 44 states and the District of Columbia
Hidden Tax on Business
Buyers rent a majority of their cars in local markets
Support federal legislation to end these taxes
Seeking sponsors to introduce House and Senate Bills

22. You Have the Power

23. Impact the Debate What is the Impact to My Program if I Don’t Act?
Legislative Action Center
Reinstate Trusted Traveler
Pass FAA bill – Finalize NextGen
Car Rental taxes are Bad for Economy
What is the Impact to My Program if I Don’t Act?

24. Questions & Comments
Shane Downey
(703) 236 – 1131