Registration is open

Registration is open

Government & Industry Meeting:  GovTravels 101 (open to all participants)

Description:  NDTA and DTMO provide new attendees with an overview of the GovTravels Symposium so that they can take full advantage of the event. Participants will learn about symposium sessions, understand the different content tracks and various networking opportunities, and meet representatives of the host organizations. 

Government Meeting:  DoD Passenger Services Advisory Group Meeting (by invitation only)

Description:  Members of DoD’s Passenger Services Advisory Group meet for their quarterly meeting. 

Exhibitor Move-in

Government Meeting:  Defense Lodging Council Meeting (by invitation only)

Government Meeting:  DoD Service Transportation Office Breakout Sessions (by invitation only)

Description:  Passenger Service Advisory Group representatives lead service-specific meetings for Transportation Office personnel. 

• U.S. Air Force

• U.S. Army

• U.S. Marine Corps

Government/Industry Meeting: DoD & GSA Meet with Bus Industry

Description: The Defense Travel Management Office and the General Service Administration invite members of the bus industry to learn how to arrange bus moves for both Federal Agencies and DoD. Also, the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command and U.S. Transportation Command will go over the annual moves for 2023 and updates in GOPAX. Our experts will be on hand to answer your questions about moves, billing and other topics.

DTMO MyTravel Demonstration for Travel Industry

Description: Industry attendees will get a first-hand look at MyTravel, the new DoD booking system that will replace the legacy Defense Travel System. See how flight, rental car, and hotel options display and are booked.

Government/Industry Meeting: GSA & DoD Meet with Hotel Industry

Description:  Part 1: Representatives from FedRooms will review last year’s successes, provide an overview of the 2023 program, and provide insight into what is to come for the FedRooms program.

Part 2: The Defense Travel Management Office invites hotel representatives to join a conversation about DoD Preferred. We will review program successes, see how the program benefits both DoD travelers and participating hotels, and gain insight into what is to come in 2023 and beyond.

Government/Industry Meeting: DoD Meets with U.S. Government Rental Car Program Industry Partners (Industry only)

Description: The Defense Travel Management Office meets with rental car vendors who participate in the U.S. Government Rental Car Program. During the session, vendors will discuss various topics pertinent to program participation, with an emphasis on the draft U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5.

DoD Meeting:  DTMO MyTravel Demonstration for Department of Defense

Description: DoD attendees will get a first-hand look at MyTravel, the new DoD booking system that will replace the legacy Defense Travel System. See how travel is booked, approved, and paid.

Lunch (Grab & go)

Government Passenger Travel Advisory Council (GPTAC) – Committee Meetings (Open to all attendees for observation)

Description: The GPTAC holds individual Committee meetings to review industry and government issues and actions. Meetings are open to all participants and a good way to learn more about how NDTA, industry and the government work together.

• Airline Committee
  Evan Koppel, United Airlines, Chair

• Bus Committee
  Lauren Gibson, StarForce National Inc., Chair

• Lodging Committee
  Jake Paine, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Chair

• Long Term Lodging Committee
  Jason Moore, RESIDE Worldwide, Inc., Chair

• Rental Car Committee
  Michael DeRosa, The Hertz Corporation, Chair

• Travel Management Companies Committee
  Marlene Sexton, OMEGA World Travel, Chair

Government Meeting: U.S. Government Rental Car Program Meeting for Federal Government Representatives (Government only)

Description: The Defense Travel Management Office meets with federal government points of contact who oversee the U.S. Government Rental Car Program at their agencies and government personnel interested in understanding more about the program.

Government Meeting: Integrated Lodging Program Overview for DoD attendees (Government only)

Description: Program managers from the Defense Travel Management Office, Military Community & Family Policy (MC&FP), and the Services will discuss the various types of lodging included in the Integrated Lodging Program (ILP):  DoD Preferred commercial lodging, Public-Private lodging including Privatized Army Lodging, and DoD Lodging. These lodging experts will discuss recent changes to their respective programs and how the ILP impacts travelers.

Government Meeting: DoD Bus Program Overview for DoD Attendees (Government only)

Description: The Defense Travel Management Office invites transportation office personnel and others to learn more about the DoD Bus program, including new requirements, program changes that will affect how bus moves are arranged, updates to the Group Operational Passenger System (GOPAX), and policy guidelines from the Defense Transportation Regulation Part 1, Chapter 104, Buses.

Government/Industry Meeting: DTMO & GSA Meet with Travel Management Companies

Description:  Join the Defense Travel Management Office and the General Services Administration for a discussion on issues related to Travel Management Company contracts.

GovTravels Opening Reception – All attendees are welcome

Registration is open

Young Leaders Professional Development Breakfast hosted by NDTA and led by Garrett McGregor, NDTA Young Leaders Chair

Description: Engage with a diverse panel of experienced professionals to have an open discussion on mentorship, networking, and career growth.  Connect during the networking session and get to know GovTravels participants.

Breakfast/Networking

DoD Connect Breakfast with Director, Defense Travel Management Office (invitation only)

Opening remarks by VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret.), President & CEO, NDTA, Mr. Bryan Scott, Chair, GPTAC, and Ms. Jennifer McPherson-Todd, Director, Defense Travel Management Office

Color Guard:  Armed Forces Color Guard

Keynote Speaker #1:  The Honorable Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

Topic:  Personnel and Readiness in a Post Pandemic World

Short In-Place Break

Panel #1:  “Hot Passenger Travel Topics”

Moderator:  Mr. Tony D’Astolfo, Senior VP North America, Serko, Ltd.

Members:

• Mr. J. Matt Gilkeson, Executive Director, Capability Management and Innovation (CM&I), Requirements and Capabilities Analysis, Transportation Security Administration
• Mr. Josh Butler, Head of Business, U.S. and Canada, Uber
• Mr. Lee Curtis, CEO, 3Sixty
• Ms. Gloria Bohan, President and CEO, Omega World Travel

Break and Networking

Keynote Speaker #2: Mr. Scott Moser, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Sabre Corporation

Topic:  Passenger Travel Cybersecurity Solutions

Description:  Cybersecurity risks continue to grow in 2023, impacting governments and businesses. The continually evolving threat environment poses particular challenges for the partnership between private information technology suppliers and government agencies. These challenges encompass protecting government traveler personal information as well as ensuring availability of critical travel information technologies that government travelers need. Our mutual success in protecting government travelers depends on strengthened information sharing and innovative Cyber solutions. This session focuses on examining innovation and reliable solutions for the government traveler.

Lunch and Networking

Government Meeting:  DoD Connect – State of the Defense Travel Enterprise (DoD Attendees only)

Description: The Director of the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) invites DoD stakeholders to a State of the Defense Travel Enterprise presentation incorporating some little-known facts about some DTMO programs. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about issues affecting their organizations.

Track:  Travel Compliance

Topic:  Ethics Training for Industry and Government (DHRA)

Description:  Learn how you can avoid the ethical landmines of government-industry relationships and ensure you are ready to do what is right when ethical dilemmas arise. The Department of Defense is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards for all of its employees. To do that, DoD has support systems in place to help government employees determine what is ethically appropriate or legally required of its workforce. Not your stereotypical attorney, Tom Serrano will provide both an informative and entertaining presentation of applying ethical principles from both perspectives—government and industry.  

Track:  Travel Experience and Safety

Topic:  The Future of Government Ground Transportation (Uber)

Description:  In this session, Uber will discuss how government agencies are utilizing rideshare in their daily lives. Ranging from standard TDY and local travel to supporting agency missions, Uber is helping agencies create cost effective programs while helping the government modernize.  

Track:  Travel Compliance

Topic:  Sustainability in Government Business Travel (GSA)

Description:  During this course GSA, will discuss sustainability and how it has and will continue to be an important part of GSA’s Government-wide Travel and Transportation Programs as well as procurement strategy and how our air, lodging and ground transportation programs are starting to address sustainability.  

Break and Networking

DTMO TED Talks (Open to all attendees)

Description: Learn from the subject matter experts at DTMO as they share information in their own versions of the popular TED Talk format.  Learn about:

• DoD Dine Smart
• Realizing the Benefits of E-Receipts for Travelers and Industry
• Customer Support Resources

DoD Connect:  Program Managers Tabletops (Open to all attendees)

Description: Join the DTMO for an exhibition hall style session where you will have direct access to DoD travel program managers and subject matter experts from areas such as MyTravel, DTS, DoD Travel Policy and Compliance, U.S. Rental Car and Truck, DoD Dine Smart, DoD Lodging Programs, and more. Learn more about the programs and ask your most pressing questions about initiatives impacting the Defense Travel Enterprise.

GPTAC Committee Chairs Meeting – NDTA, DTMO, GSA & GPTAC Chairs (By invitation only)

Travel Academy Session B

Track:  Travel Experience and Safety

Topic:  VISA Virtual Travel Service

Description:  Discover a better way to pay for air and lodging. Come and talk to us about how you can benefit from:

• Automated reconciliation
• Rich consistent data/reporting
• Reduced misuse/fraud

Track:  Travel Partner Programs

Topic:  Government-wide Lodging Solutions (GSA)

Description:  FOR GOVERNMENT TRAVELERS, a GSA-led session discussing its government-wide lodging solutions:  FedRooms, Long Term Lodging, and Emergency Lodging Services. Learn about the programs’ benefits, how to use, and real-life scenarios.

Track:  Travel Technology

Topic:  Gaining visibility into simple or small meetings (CWT)

Description:  For most organizations, as much as half of their meeting spend is focused on managing small meetings. Tracking the spend for these meetings and understanding their scope poses a significant challenge. Even organizations with mature and centralized meetings management programs don’t always have visibility into small or simple meetings. Simple or small meetings technology may be the answer.

Track:  Travel Compliance

Topic: Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Post Payment Audits for Travel and the DTMO Compliance Program

Description:  This session is designed to inform travel management professionals on how DFAS conducts its Travel Post Payment Review and the Defense Travel Management Office’s DoD Travel Compliance Program.  

Government Meeting:  Recruit Assistance Program Meeting for Government Representatives (By invitation only)

Description:  The Defense Travel Management Office meets with U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command and Accession community to collaboratively discuss various topics pertinent to program operations, requirements, processes, and future actions.

NDTA President’s Reception (Open to all attendees)

Young Leaders Social:  Hosted by the NDTA Washington DC Chapter and NDTA Young Leaders Chair

Description:  A Young Leader event open to all Young Leaders in the early phases of their careers interested in networking and meeting others across government and industry.

Registration is open

Senior Leader Government & Industry Breakfast (Invitation only)

Breakfast and Networking

Administrative Remarks:  VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret.), President and CEO, NDTA

Keynote Speaker #3: Mr. Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Airlines

Topic: Turning the Page: What is next for Air Travel

Description: Hear how the airline industry has changed since 2019 and what is next. Learn about the impacts of the global pandemic on the industry, how the airlines worked through it and today are rebuilding and preparing for growth. Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, discusses the early days of the pandemic and what the future holds for air travel.

DoD Excellence in Practice Awards – Presented by Defense Travel Management Office

Presenting:  Ms. Jennifer McPherson-Todd, Director, Defense Travel Management Office

NDTA Corporate and Board Awards

Presenting:  Mr. William Woodhour, Vice Chairman, NDTA Board of Directors and President and CEO, Maersk Line Limited; and VADM William A. Brown, USN (Ret.), President and CEO, NDTA

Break and Networking

Panel #2:  Post-Pandemic Industry Challenges

Moderators:

• Mr. William R. Mansell Jr., SES, Director, Defense Support Services Center (DSSC)
• Mr. Tim Burke, SES, Director, Office of Travel, Employee Relocation and Transportation, Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), U.S. General Services Administration

Members:

• Mr. Nick Vournakis, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, CWT
• Ms. Trisha Fridrich, VP, Business Development and Marketing, All Aboard America! Holdings, Inc.
• Mr. Steve Sear, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Distribution, Delta Air Lines

Description:  This panel will explore the challenges the passenger travel industry is experiencing coming out of the pandemic including labor shortages (staff, driver, pilot), passenger wait times, cancelations and its impact on government travel.  We will discuss bright spots and if there is enough capacity to meet surge requirements.

Lunch and Networking

Travel Academy Session C

Track:  Travel Compliance

Topic:  System for Award Management (SAM) Basics (GSA)

Description:  During this course, representatives from GSA’s Center for Travel and Transportation Acquisition will give an overview of the System for Award Management (SAM). Topics will include the purpose of SAM.gov, how to register, and how it impacts a potential offeror’s ability to do business with the Federal Government.

Track:  Travel Technology

Topic:  Looking towards an era of personalized travel (SABRE)

Description:  Weathering many crises over the decades, travel has always proved resilient. The industry has now the opportunity to rebound even stronger. Technology is playing a major role in facilitating recovery, ushering in a new era of personalized travel that presents more opportunities for businesses and a better experience for travelers.

Track:  Travel Experience and Safety

Topic:  Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Traveling with Military/Government Working Dogs (Government and Industry)

Description:  Join government and travel industry experts for an interactive discussion about the importance of working K9s to the government mission, and the formidable challenges experienced by working dog teams when reserving and executing official travel for and with their K9 colleagues.

Track:  Travel Innovation

Topic:  GSA SmartPay Travel Card Innovation

Description: This course will cover several new and innovative travel program offerings provided under the GSA SmartPay 3 Master Contract. Attendees will learn about new tools available to maximize and expand their travel card programs.

Break and Networking

Travel Academy Session D

Track:  Travel Compliance

Topic:  Responsible Travel – a better approach for a better future (CWT)

Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has put employee and traveler wellbeing at the top of every organization’s priority. At the same time, the environmental impacts of travel have also come into the spotlight. As commercial and government organizations return to travel, we have an opportunity and responsibility to do it right. This means taking a more balanced approach to travel management, one that incorporates employee well-being, climate protections and a focus on organizations’ financial objectives to achieve a truly sustainable program that is fit for purpose now and into the future.

Track:  Travel Innovation

Topic:  Best Features Demo of MyTravel (DTMO)

Description: MyTravel uses a commercial Software as a Service to book travel, manage travel related expenses, and initiate travel-related financial transactions. We will demonstrate a few of the best features offered to support the department’s Travelers, Approvers, and Travel Managers.

Track:  Travel Partner Programs

Topic:  GSA Rideshare/Ride-hail Program Update (GSA)

Description: This course is a GSA led session discussing the 5-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Ridesharing and Ride-hailing services. GSA’s Government-wide Rideshare/Ride-hail BPAs modernizes official travel and will make it easier, and less expensive, to use rideshare services for official travel, augment fleet and shuttle services.

Track:  Travel Partner Programs

Topic:  Pet Relocation (GSA)

Description:  Panelists from GSA, DoD/DTMO, Department of State and the relocation industry will discuss the policies and resources that affect traveling and relocating Government and Military personnel and their pets. They will share best practices and challenges pet owners will face.

Farewell Reception and Raffle