The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) today announced its line up of featured speakers at the 40th Annual NBTA International Convention & Exposition to be held July 27-30 in Los Angeles. The program this year will include international airline executives on an Airline CEO Panel to discuss the latest challenges and trends affecting this global industry, as well as entertainment industry personalities and one of the most preeminent economists in the world.

Kevin Maguire, CCTE, NBTA President and CEO, commented: “Last year’s airline industry legends panel was a huge hit. With the growing challenges currently faced by the global airline industry, we though it was important to build on that success with a panel of current heads of major airlines from multiple countries.”

Featured on the Airline CEO Panel, to be held on Tuesday morning, will be Richard H. Anderson, CEO of Delta Airlines; Montie Brewer, President and CEO of Air Canada; and Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airlines. The panel will be moderated by Emmy Award Winning Editor, NBTA Today Show, Peter Greenberg.

General sessions speakers this year will include Craig Ferguson, CBS Host of “The Late, Late Show;” on Monday; Alec Baldwin, award-winning actor, “30 ROCK,” on Tuesday; and Dr. Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Federal Reserve Board (1987-2006), on Wednesday.

“The NBTA Convention is known throughout the industry as the premier event in corporate travel and year after year presents the world’s most renowned personalities as featured speakers,” said Maguire. “Once again we’ve stepped it up a notch by lining up the brightest stars with the most brilliant ideas to entertain, inform and inspire. This year we’re rolling out the red carpet to welcome attendees to Los Angeles.”

NBTA Convention Speaker Information

Richard H. Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines

Richard joined Delta as a member of the Board of Directors in April 2007. Anderson has nearly 20 years of aviation experience. He entered the industry in 1987 at Continental Airlines, where he ultimately served as staff vice president and deputy general counsel. In 1990, Anderson began a 14-year career at Northwest Airlines where he served as vice president and deputy general counsel; senior vice president of Technical Operations and Airport Affairs; executive vice president and chief operating officer; and from 2001 to 2004, as chief executive officer. He joined Delta from his position as executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group, where he served as president of UnitedHealth’s Commercial Markets Group. He also serves as a director of Cargill Inc. and Medtronic Inc.

Montie Brewer, President & CEO, Air Canada

Mr. Brewer joined Air Canada in April 2002 as Executive Vice President, Commercial. In that role he was the chief architect of, and led the implementation of Air Canada's new business model including the airline's successful simplified fare structure. Mr. Brewer was also responsible for all commercial aspects of Air Canada including Air Canada Jazz, Air Canada Jetz, Air Canada Vacations, new businesses and a strategic direction of network planning, marketing and scheduling. An industry veteran, Mr. Brewer was previously Senior Vice President - Planning for United Airlines with previous airline experience gained at Northwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Braniff and Trans World Airlines. He has planned and developed over 20 hub operations worldwide, managed low cost airline operations as President of United Shuttle and successfully restructured the route networks of three carriers.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Director, British Airways

Willie Walsh joined British Airways as chief executive officer (CEO) designate on May 3, 2005 and assumed full CEO responsibilities on October 1. Prior to joining British Airways, Willie was CEO at Aer Lingus, a position he was appointed to in the aftermath of 9/11. Faced with bankruptcy and heavy losses, Willie radically restructured the airline and this culminated in it posting an €107 million profit in 2004, making Aer Lingus the most profitable state-owned airline in the western world. Willie joined Aer Lingus in 1979 as a cadet pilot and worked his way through the ranks to become a captain in 1990. He began his move to management in 1989 where he fulfilled various roles in the flight operations department. He completed a Master of Science in Management and Business Administration at Dublin’s Trinity College in 1992. His managerial skills led him to being appointed CEO of Futura, Aer Lingus’ Spanish charter airline in 1998, where he restructured the business and settled a damaging industrial relations dispute. He returned to Dublin with Aer Lingus in 2000 where he took up the role of chief operating officer and was subsequently appointed as CEO in October 2001.

Craig Ferguson, CBS Host of "The Late, Late Show"

Craig Ferguson entered the world of late night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. Since taking the helm of the Late, Late Show on January 3, 2005, the show has set all-time viewer records in three consecutive sweeps. Additionally, Craig recently received his first Emmy nomination for his work on the Late, Late Show.

Alec Baldwin, Award-Winning Actor, "30 ROCK"

Baldwin attended George Washington University and planned to attend law school, when he auditioned for the New York University Undergraduate Drama Program on a dare. He was accepted, and began his professional training. He has worked in television, movies, Broadway, regional theater, and has hosted Saturday Night Live numerous times. Currently, Baldwin is starring in NBC's Emmy award-winning comedy series, "30 ROCK", for which he received the 2007 Golden Globe, SAG and Television Critics Association awards as Best Actor in a comedy. Baldwin will share his stories and anecdotes from his extensive and celebrated career that’s ranged from soap operas to Broadway to backstage at Saturday Night Live.

Dr. Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Federal Reserve Board (1987-2006)

Dr. Alan Greenspan served from more than 18 years as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, a position for which he was appointed by four U.S. Presidents. He also served as Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, the System’s principal monetary policymaking body. During his tenure, Greenspan is credited with effectively guiding the U.S. economy through the October 1987 stock market crash and the dot-com boom and bust. His influence is seen by many as contributing greatly to the United States’ relative economic stability and prosperity from 1987 through 2006.