REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

GBTA New Jersey Tech Summit 2026

Innovate. Connect. Elevate.

Join GBTA New Jersey on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metro Campus, Dickinson Hall for a full-day Tech Summit focused on the technology, ideas, and conversations shaping the future of business travel.

This is not just another technology conversation. The summit is built to help travel professionals understand what is changing now, what is actually useful, and how emerging tools can support smarter programs, better traveler experiences, stronger supplier partnerships, and more informed decision-making.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Location: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metro Campus, Dickinson Hall

Address: 140 University Plaza Drive, Hackensack, NJ 07601

Tickets: $75 Member Registration | $100 Non-Member Registration

Register now: https://njbta.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=129

Why Attend?

·         Hear straight talk on the technology trends reshaping corporate travel, including AI, automation, NDC, open APIs, virtual payments, hotel tech, ground transportation, and predictive duty of care.

·         Connect with buyers, suppliers, TMCs, mobility partners, technology providers, educators, and industry leaders from across the New Jersey business travel community.

·         Take away practical ideas that can support your travel program, supplier strategy, traveler experience, internal partnerships, and future planning.

·         Explore new solutions and real-world examples from exhibiting suppliers and featured presenters throughout the day.

Who Should Attend?

This event is built for corporate travel buyers, travel managers, procurement professionals, suppliers, TMCs, meeting professionals, mobility partners, technology providers, students, educators, and anyone interested in the future of managed travel.

Featured Topics

AI & Automation: What is hype, what is real, and how AI can become an intelligence multiplier for travel teams.

NDC, Content Fragmentation & Open APIs: How next-generation platforms are connecting fragmented content while protecting servicing, reporting, and traveler experience.

Dynamic Pricing & Continuous Retailing: How travel buyers can think about value, benchmarking, auditing, and program performance as pricing models evolve.

Ground Transportation, Hotel Tech & Payments: The innovation story does not stop when the plane lands. We will explore tools improving ground mobility, hotel check-in, virtual cards, mobile payments, and expense reconciliation.

Predictive Duty of Care: How real-time data and risk intelligence can help travel teams move from reactive alerts to proactive traveler support.

Traveler Experience: A roadwarrior-style discussion focused on how technology is actually showing up for travelers before, during, and after a trip.

Official Event Schedule

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Registration & Morning Networking

Check in, connect with peers, and visit supplier exhibits.

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Continental Breakfast & Networking

Dickinson Lobby.

8:30 AM - 9:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Keynote

Doors open and tradeshow hallway welcome. Opening remarks begin at 9:00 AM with Diane Romano, President, NJBTA, followed by a welcome address from Michael Avaltroni, President, Fairleigh Dickinson University.

9:20 AM - 10:20 AM | Panel 1: Tech Talk - What’s New in Corporate Travel Tech?

Moderator: Kathy Kaden, CMM, CCTE, Global Travel, Meetings & Events Manager, Okta, Inc. Panelists: Ethan Yaros, Cvent; George Gadebush, Deem; Mike Fitzgerald, United Airlines; Mike Daly, Cerebri.

10:20 AM - 10:45 AM | Spotlight Presentation & Morning Break

Travel Risk & Protection spotlight presentation with Melissa Isman, Chief Growth Officer, Amval Insurance Solutions, followed by a networking and exhibition break.

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM | Panel 2: Traveler Experience Panel

Moderator: Jackie Lue Raia. Panelists: Michael Ramos, Founder, SingleTask.AI; Donald Hoover, Senior Lecturer, International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University; Larry Goodin, Professor, Fairleigh Dickinson University.

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM | Spotlight Presentation & Networking Lunch

Next-Gen Booking Infrastructure spotlight presentation with Seth Anagnostis, Spotnana, followed by networking lunch, sponsor tables, and community initiative participation.

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM | Panel 3: Mythbusting Corporate Travel Panel

Moderator: David Jonas, The Company Dime. Panelists: Greg Wilczek, Empath Travel; Ted Power, Versa; Gordon Milner, FCM; Melissa Isman, Amval Insurance Solutions; Peter Psaltakis, Navan.

1:50 PM - 3:00 PM | Afternoon Spotlight, Interactive Gamification & Wrap-up

Spotlight Presentation 3, followed by interactive Q&A and trivia via Slido/Kahoot with sponsor prizes.

3:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Summit Adjournment

Final takeaways and closing remarks.

Panel 1 Key Session Themes

1.    Autonomous AI Agents & Conversational Concierges: Proactive flight monitoring, automated rebooking, and governance boundaries for autonomous travel spend.

2.    Unified Multi-Source Aggregation & Open APIs: Bridging NDC, GDS, and direct connects into seamless online booking interfaces without traveler friction.

3.    Predictive Duty of Care: Shifting from reactive disruption maps to proactive, predictive risk alerts powered by real-time intelligence.

Community Initiative: Help Support the FDU Student Food Bank

Because the summit is being hosted at Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJBTA will be collecting donations for the FDU Student Food Bank. Attendees are encouraged to bring shelf-stable food or basic kitchen items to help support students facing food insecurity.

Suggested donations include grab-and-go snacks, protein bars, oatmeal, cereal, crackers, rice cups, pasta, canned goods, peanut butter and jelly, shelf-stable milk, juice boxes, bottled water, utensils, pots, and pans.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

A huge thank you to our top sponsors, United Airlines and Fairleigh Dickinson University, and to all of our partners helping bring this event to life.

Reserve Your Spot Today

Seats are limited, and registration is now open. Join us for a full day of learning, networking, supplier engagement, and industry conversation.

REGISTER NOW

We can’t wait to see you there!