GBTA Convention 2026 Draws 5,500 Attendees Amid Record Spend Forecast
The annual gathering at Chicago's McCormick Place brought together business travel professionals from nearly 50 countries as the industry projects spending to reach an all-time high.
The Global Business Travel Association's 2026 convention attracted more than 5,500 participants representing 47 nations to Chicago's McCormick Place, according to organizers, as the sector anticipates unprecedented expenditure levels in the year ahead.
The gathering coincided with the release of GBTA's Business Travel Index, which projects worldwide corporate travel spending will reach $1.71 trillion in 2026—a record figure for the industry. The forecast signals continued momentum in business travel recovery and expansion beyond pre-pandemic benchmarks.
The multi-day event serves as the association's flagship annual conference, bringing together travel managers, suppliers, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to examine emerging trends and establish connections across the global business travel ecosystem.
With attendees arriving from nearly four dozen countries, the convention underscored the increasingly international character of corporate travel management. McCormick Place, one of North America's largest convention facilities, provided the venue for educational sessions, networking opportunities, and exhibitions focused on shaping the sector's trajectory.
The $1.71 trillion spending projection represents a significant milestone for an industry that faced severe disruption during the pandemic years. The figure encompasses corporate expenditure on air travel, accommodations, ground transportation, and related services across global markets.