Welcome Back GovTravels!

National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) President and CEO VADM William A. “Andy” Brown, USN, welcomed the audience to the 8th annual GovTravels Symposium. Co-sponsored by NDTA and the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), GovTravels took place February 27 –March 1, 2023, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

Each year the Symposium brings together travel and transportation professionals from industry, and federal and state governments to build relationships, exchange ideas, educate and collaborate, learn about innovative technologies, and find ways to improve the federal government’s travel readiness. Brown served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which was held in person for the first time since 2020.

“Our hope is that you will find this a time that is very professionally rewarding and a great networking experience for you, said Brown, who also thanked audience members that had attended the virtual symposiums in 2021 and 2022.

The meeting theme, On the Road Again – Industry & Government Travel Rebounds, reflected the return to a more normative travel climate. The theme was also meant to ensure a focus on how the government and the commercial travel industry are re- sponding to today’s challenges and preparing for the years to come.

“Our goal over the next two days is to bring government and industry together to solve challenges and to build bridges and better relationships. Our discussions are important and we need your participation, we need your feedback,” said Brown. “Our speakers will confront us with a myriad of challenges, and we must think about solutions and the actions needed to bring innovation and to do things better.”

Mr. Bryan Scott, Chair of NDTA’s Government Passenger Travel Advisory Council (GPTAC), also provided opening remarks. He acknowledged the hard work of the GPTAC Vice Chair, as well as the Chairs of each of the Council’s committees. The committees—which include the Airline, Bus, Car Rental, Lodging, Long-Term Lodging, and Travel Management Committees—represent key facets of the travel industry. Scott also thanked the DTMO and General Services Administration (GSA) for their leadership and guidance which were critical to the success of the event.

“As always, over the course of this week, we’ll be focused on using this opportunity to educate and strengthen the relationship between industry and government. Ultimately, we’re here this week because we share a love for this country,” said Scott.

“Through our companies, we have a desire to provide the best possible programs and service to the men and woman who work and serve this great nation. As a member of industry, I know I speak for most in this room when I say the most rewarding days of our careers are those when we’re called upon to support the troops and nation.” the DTMO. “GovTravels is an important event for the Department of Defense and the Defense Travel Management Office continues its co-sponsorship for several important reasons,” said Mansell.

“First, we gain a better understanding of the challenges facing the travel managers across the federal government and to the travel industry, many of which have shifted in the past three years,” he explained.

“Second, we learn how our strategic direction for the Defense travel enterprise may need to adapt and shift as we consider different approaches, new technologies, and updated industry and government best practices that have developed since

“Through our companies, we have a desire to provide the best possible programs and service to the men and woman who work and serve this great nation. As a member of industry, I know I speak for most in this room when I say the most rewarding days of our careers are those when we’re called upon to support the troops and nation.”

2020. And, finally, we get to meet up with all of you in one place to practice what we preach—traveling here, making use of the travel industry segments represented in this room, and setting the pace by moving forward.” He added that these goals have remained constant despite the shifting travel landscape.

The 2023 GovTravels Symposium provided myriad educational and professional development opportunities including meetings, keynote speakers, moderated panels, the NDTA Exhibit Hall, networking sessions, and Young Leaders events.

Attendees also had the opportunity to attend Travel Academy. Held in conjunction with the conference, Travel Academy offered sixteen classes spread over four sessions. This year’s classes covered travel experience and safety, travel innovation, travel technology, travel partner programs, and travel compliance.

With such a robust agenda, GovTravels offers something for everyone across the travel spectrum. For more details and to view videos from the GovTravels Symposium and Travel Academy, please visit: www.ndtahq.com/events/gov-travels