GBTA CONFERENCE UPDATE
The Guild of Business Travel Agents is reviewing plans to hold its annual conference in Shanghai in May, due to the current outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in East and South East Asia. A decision will be made on Tuesday of next week, 8th April and delegates will be informed by email.
Members are however being advised in the interim to keep the conference dates of 9th to 12th May in their diary, as the GBTA will endeavour to find an alternative European venue should the conference not take place in Shanghai.
"Clearly we need to assess the health risk to our members of going ahead with the conference in Shanghai," said Philip Carlisle, GBTA Chief Executive. "Obviously it would be very disappointing if the Shanghai conference does not go ahead as a great deal of work has gone into the programme. Hence we would hope to find some other way of running the business programme and certain social events in an alternative location. We are reviewing the situation thoroughly and will make a decision early next week."
For further information: Vanessa Aves/Steve Dunne, Brighter PR, tel: 020 7603 2168, email: Vanessa.aves@brighterpr.co.uk