Atlas in Chicago: A Report on NBTA 2006 Atlas Travel International took full advantage of the NBTA 2006 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Chicago in July, to host events, participate in programs and plan for next year's NBTA event in Boston. More than 5,000 travel professionals attended the national convention, where former President George Bush was the keynote speaker. Elaine Osgood, president and CEO of Atlas Travel International, and Executive VP/Global Business Development Kerin McKinnon were both key in planning and participating in several events. They were joined by Atlas Advisory Board Member Terry Sullo, who is also the new president of the New England Business Travel Association (NEBTA), and Atlas public relations consultant Kate Koziol, president of KSquared Communications of Chicago. "We walked the trade show floor and secured a 10'x20' booth to promote NBTA's 2007 Convention in Boston," said McKinnon, who has been appointed by Sullo and NEBTA to head up the planning committee for the 2007 event, which promises to be an inspiring and exciting convention. "I've been to NBTA national conferences many times, but I was definitely looking at it with a new perspective," said McKinnon. The planning committee already has 15 dedicated volunteers and is looking for more. "This is a great time to join NEBTA," said Sullo. "We have so much to offer with the convention coming to our home town next year. It's a wonderful time to get involved and share your travel and organizational expertise." Speaking of Expertise... McKinnon and Sullo, who is the travel manager at Akamai in Cambridge, MA,  also sat on a panel of leading travel industry executives at the conference, entitled "Mapping the Female Executive Mind." The presentation was offered by travel public relations expert Kate Koziol and highlighted the similarities and differences between men and women's management tactics, as well as offered advice for women to strengthen their managerial skills. Hunting for Al Capone's Haunts At the end of one busy convention day, Atlas Travel was honored to play host to a Chicago-style "Gangstah Party." Answering to such creative aliases as "Cruelo," "Whitey" and "The Mouth," an impressive array of guests including BCD President John Snyder, Travel Weekly's Dennis Schaal, and Mark Williams of IBM all enjoyed an exclusive Gangster Tour of Chicago (conducted by Untouchable Tours showcasing the hideouts and haunts of Chicago's underworld in the 1920s). The tour was followed by dinner at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, which is housed directly across the street from the site of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. The rave reviews included: "It was a great event, the tour was fun, very interesting and the food was AWESOME!" "The gang had a blast, nothing too dangerous, just shootin' it up a bit! Chicago Pizza is the best spot in town." "I LIVE in Chicago and I still didn't know where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place -- thanks for showing me!" "I made some great 'new' friends and even sold our passport services to a new client that evening!" "Your limo guys were great -- and having THREE stretches at our disposal all night was really fun!" Bring on NBTA 2007! Osgood, Atlas' president and CEO, thoroughly enjoyed the event, saying, "What a pleasure to meet so many industry pros and share a great time. The New England crew is primed to bring this convention home next year and this was a great dry run." Atlas wishes to thank Gangstah Party sponsors A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors and Town Car International, whose support made the night more wonderful!