Thoughts on our inaugural meeting.

The inaugural Global Affinity Alliance meeting in Abu Dhabi was a success; for those who were in attendance I hope your follow-up work has been both fruitful and stress-free. For those of you who could not attend, here is a break down of what you missed!

We kick-started the three-day conference with team building exercises. Members were placed into groups of six and given a series of challenges, challenges that acted as ice-breakers to help delegates interact and connect. Team building took us deep into the heart of Abu Dhabi and eventually into the surrounding desert where members enjoyed late afternoon 4×4 rides through the sand dunes.

After a full day of exploration, we returned to the Sofitel Hotel for team building awards and a cocktail reception by the pool. It was during this time that members nurtured newly established relationships, setting themselves up for future business opportunities within the GAA network.

We got started bright and early the following morning with our first ever plenary session. During this session we discussed the future of GAA, our plans to grow and how each delegate is integral to the future success of the group. We highlighted new and existing programs including WIN (a free AWB program), insurance, customer service and payment protection. Also, in an effort to keep the group balanced and to give all members equal business opportunity in their respective areas, we will not be accepting any new members from the following markets this year:

• Mumbai
• New Delhi
• Karachi
• Lahore
• Milan
• Hamburg
• Ho Chi Ming City
• Miami
• Houston
• Dubai
• Lisbon
• Mexico City
• Sao Paulo
• Buenos Aires

At the conclusion of the plenary session we agreed, by popular vote, that the next GAA conference will be held this year in Las Vegas Nevada. Hosting another conference in 2016 will put us back on track to holding our annual meetings, annually, in October. We also announced that 2017’s conference will be held in Amsterdam. Stay tuned for exact dates and further details.

After the plenary, valuable one-on-one meetings ran late into the afternoon. Later, delegates took a bus to a beautiful beach-side location for an outdoor gala dinner nestled under palm trees and breath-taking skyscrapers. Delegates enjoyed entertainment from GAA’s own master of magic, Stefan Willkommen from CTP Hamburg. It was a night to remember. 

Thank you again to those who journeyed to Abu Dhabi for our first annual conference. Based on the feedback we’ve received it is obvious that our members are dedicated to making GAA a vehicle that drives business opportunity. I am honored to be leading you all and excited for what the future may bring!

We’ve got a really nice Flickr gallery of all the pictures from the conference at this link.

Thank you again for your support of the Global Affinity Alliance.