The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has announced that two of its chapters, the Northern Virginia Chapter and the Baltimore/Washington Chapter have merged to form one, unified chapter: the Greater D.C. Metro Chapter.

The new Greater D.C. Metro Chapter is a professional association of business travel industry professionals including travel directors, managers and coordinators, besides travel-related vendors and suppliers. The merged chapter will strengthen the collective voice of the business travel industry and professionals in and around the Washington, D.C. Capital Beltway and beyond, providing the necessary tools, information and networking opportunities for effective business travel management.

The geographical scope of the new organization will encompass the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Northern Virginia (which includes the cities of Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax plus many more) and covers all three Washington, D.C. airports—Ronald Reagan National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The 74-member chapter will provide a broader, more collaborative community for members and greater opportunity for business travel education, in addition to enhanced resources and greater value for members and sponsors alike.

The board of directors for the new Washington D.C. Metro Chapter includes: David Thorne, president; Debbie Thomas, vice president; Sarah Mandell, secretary; Candee Sherman, treasurer; Ron Kosmahl, immediate past president; Debbie Thomas, director of education; Carmen Smith, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); Tonia Jacobson, director of sponsorship; Erin Sterling and Kenzey Minnich, directors of membership; Angela Swoveland, director of technology; Maria Cotto, director of public relations; Georgette Lake, director of sites; Denise Lane, government liaison; Kathy Foster and Carol Schrager, allied members at large; and Dawn Spriggs Hall, direct member at large.

The Northern Virginia Chapter was founded in 1988 and the Baltimore/Washington Chapter was founded in 1970.

For more information, visit www.gbta.org.

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