San Diego | The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) – the world's premier business travel organization – yesterday welcomed more than 5,500 corporate travel professionals to its 42nd annual International Convention & Exposition in San Diego, and registration continues to grow daily. For the next three days, business travel buyers and suppliers from more than 30 countries will gather at the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding business establishments to discuss industry trends in today’s volatile economy and shifting corporate culture.

NBTA President & CEO Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP said, “In a time when the global economy is uncertain and companies around the world are cutting costs and posting losses, corporate travel professionals know that managing travel effectively can save their companies billions. As a matter of fact, travel buyers who have attended the Convention in recent years tell us that the resources, education and networking offered to them has helped them save more than 10 percent of their annual travel and entertainment budget, which is exactly why they are back again this year.”

The NBTA Convention also serves as an example of the importance of corporate events to local communities and businesses. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation estimates that the NBTA Convention will generate $8.37 million in direct attendee spending and contribute approximately $20 million overall to the local economy.

Maguire continued, “We know that business meetings and events contribute significantly to local economies, providing revenue to neighborhood businesses and jobs to millions across the United States. The NBTA Convention is an example of a large necessary corporate event, where professionals can share ideas about current industry challenges while helping to boost the community in which they work at the same time.”

Attendees heard from Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III yesterday at the first NBTA Convention welcome session. Sullenberger, known to the world as Captain Sully, successfully landed a commercial flight into the Hudson River in January, saving the lives of 155 people.