The Hilton Grand Rapids Airport has extended an overnight room rate of $82.00 to MBTA.  This is significantly discounted being that it is our busiest day of the week with typical rates of $159 or more.  Call 616-957-0100 x 7530 for reservations.  The code is "MBTA". 

Please contact Lisa Hoehn at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.

 Michigan Business Travel Association Meeting - Wednesday, October 20^th   

Please contact Lisa Hoehn at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.

Don't forget to submit your name or your nomination for MBTA Vice President & Treasurer Officer positions - Term  2011 & 2012

    Michigan Business Travel Association Meeting - Wednesday, October 20^th   

Meeting Locations Hilton Grand Rapids Airport

4747 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States 49512-1915
Tel: 1-616-957-0100   Fax: 1-616-977-5632

 Meeting Agenda 

• 10:30am - 10:45am - Registration  
• 10:45am - 11:00am - Presentation - Welcome!

           Recognition of New Members & Guests

           Agenda Review 

• 11:00am - 12:00pm - Government Relations - NBTA & Political Action Committee (PAC)

Guest Speaker - Shane Downey - Director, Public Policy -

Shane Downey is the Director of Public Policy for the National Business Travel Association.  In this role Shane oversees NBTA's lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, the countrywide grassroots campaign, and the NBTAPAC.

Shane comes to NBTA with over 11 years of government affairs experience.  Prior to joining NBTA, Shane was a Senior Associate at a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. In 1996, Shane oversaw the successful reelection of an Ohio Congressman.  Shane received his B.A in History from The Ohio State University

•  12:00pm - 12:45pm - Lunch - Networking Opportunities

Lunch Sponsor

•  12:45pm - 1:00pm - MBTA Meeting  

     Committee Updates

     Sponsor Recognition 

     NBTA & CPC Updates

• 1:00pm - 2:30pm - Benchmarking Tool and Additional Benefits of NBTA; Convention, Interact Netsmart, CCTE, CTE, GLP

Guest Speaker - Denise Truso CCTE, Director, Global Travel for St. Jude Medical.

Denise began her career 20 years ago, working for a rental car company, a regional travel agency that was acquired an in 2006 acquired by Carlson Wagonlit Travel working her way from a front line agent, operations manager, group and International supervisor, account management and sales.  In January 2009 she made a career change after 18 years on the supplier side to start a new career as the Global Travel Manager for St. Jude Medical, based in St. Paul Minnesota. 

Over the past 18 months at St. Jude Medical she has consolidated their U.S Program from   over 20 agencies to one, was part of their US roll-out of Concur Travel & Expense and the launch of an enterprise travel policy and recently took ownership of the Meetings Management program, working on implementing a SMM Policy and process and bridging the two programs together, Concur Expense and their corporate card program.

Denise is an active member of both the National Business Travel Association and local, North Central Business Travel Association.  She has served on several committees, served on NCBTA board including President and currently serves on the NBTA Chapter President's Council as Vice President.  She has been recognized by her peers by being awarded with the North Central Business Associations' president's Award in 2006 and the Business Travel Professional Services Award in 2009. 

While Denise's career has always been important to her she still finds the time to balance work and family.  She lives in Chaska Minnesota with her husband Matt of 16 years and son TJ.  When not at work Denise is busy managing TJ's baseball and hockey teams and running in to and from practices, games and camps.