From “I Could Never” to “What Could I Do?”

In this feature series, GBTA's Board of Directors share their perspectives on topics that matter most to members, the industry and the way forward for business travel. Today's guest author is Board member Christina Reichelt, Senior Manager, Global Travel Procurement at Regeneron.

With voting for the GBTA Board of Directors underway, there may be some of you thinking, "Oh, I could never do that!" Too much time, too much effort, too much imposter syndrome. In fact, it was the imposter syndrome that nearly kept me from running for the board last year - "who would vote for me?!" Though it can be easier said than done, pushing through your doubts can lead to growth and opportunity you never thought possible. Instead of "I could never do that," ask yourself, "what could I do?"

Your GBTA membership comes with so many opportunities to get involved, to meet and network with peers, and to grow and learn professionally. There is so much more to GBTA than just Convention - though I do hope to see you all on the expo floor in Chicago this August, preferably with a good pair of walking shoes and an open calendar.

Take a moment and explore what is possible when you take full advantage of everything GBTA has to offer:

Lean in: Volunteer as a mentor or mentee with the Ladders or WINIT mentorship programs. Seek out others in the industry with skill sets different than yours, learn from each other, and explore other verticals. You might be surprised how much you have to offer - and how much you still have to learn. Spoiler: That never stops.

Mix and mingle: GBTA is active around the world, and if there's a U.S. GBTA Chapter near you, take full advantage of the events at your disposal. Get involved and build your network at a local level to stay active between Conventions. Your next great collaborator, client, or career opportunity might be just one happy hour away.

Onwards and upwards: GBTA recently launched GBTA Community+ and GBTA Learning, two new platforms for peer-to-peer connection and professional development. Both are member-only benefits designed to sharpen your skills and up your professional game. No commute required.

The point is: your membership is only as valuable as what you put into it. So go ahead - lean in, show up, and maybe even throw your name in the ring someday. You might just surprise yourself.

P.S. The GBTA Board of Directors election closes on July 7, so members: don't forget to vote!