The GBTA Foundation, the research and education arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in partnership with the Strategic Meetings Management Taskforce and StarCite Inc., recently announced the launch of the Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) Maturity Index. The SMM Maturity Index allows companies to accurately identify the developmental progress of their SMM programs and provides a prescriptive report of recommendations for further improvement.

“The SMM Maturity Index will drive the meetings industry forward by bringing invaluable know-how to organizations at every step along the path toward a best in class program," said Daphne Bryant, executive director for the GBTA Foundation. "We’re excited to build on the success of the SMM Maturity Model to launch the next evolution of this essential industry framework.”

The SMM Maturity Index will help companies gauge the progress of their SMMP across 13 categories including strategy, data analysis and reporting, policy, approval, technology and sourcing/procurement. Recognizing that each SMMP is as unique as the organization which implements it, the SMM Maturity Index takes differing approaches into consideration and is based on best-in-class models.

“Having been there for the earliest beginnings of the strategic meetings management profession, it is inspiring to see how far we’ve come with the creation of a new tool that will further standardize best practices and help companies achieve great SMMP results,” said Kevin Iwamoto, vice president of enterprise strategy for StarCite. “Companies will benefit tremendously from the clear guidance and benchmarks the Index provides.”

Customers of the Orbitz for Business brand can now source meeting venues and send e-RFPs to hotels and other suppliers from a new meetings booking channel powered by StarCity on the Orbitz for Business website.  

Available to users are features allowing customers and meeting planners to access potential venues, compare supplier rates and review project status using StarCite's integrated booking process.   

“Orbitz for Business Meetings gives corporate meeting planners an automated way to plan, source and manage meetings at the same time they book their air, hotel and car arrangements,” said Frank Petito, president, Orbitz for Business.  “We are excited to expand our relationship with StarCite, which adds an important piece to the growing spectrum of travel products we deliver to customers.  With an intuitive, easy-to-use system and a great shopping experience, our customers can now book thousands of the best venues at the best locations while saving time and money in the process.” 

By signing on to the Orbitz for Business Meetings channel, hotels and other venue providers are listed whenever an Orbitz for Business customer searches in the suppliers’ local market.