Boston, U.S.A. — George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, spoke as the keynote speaker at the annual 2012 GBTA Convention at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

A standing room-only crowd welcomed the President, who spoke candidly about leadership, his time in office and the decision making process behind some of the most challenging moments during his presidency. The President then sat for a one-on-one interview with Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO discussing global events, the economy and his memoir, “Decision Points.” President Bush’s appearance was sponsored by Orbitz for Business.

On leadership, George W. Bush said, “When you get into the Oval Office, you better be ready to make decisions. To run a company or an organization, you need to have a vision and principals. State them clearly and honor them.” In the sit down interview with Michael W. McCormick, he talked about his first foreign trip as President and Air Force One. Bush said humorously, “Our country does Presidential travel right.”

At the ‘Luminaries of Travel’ panel, Trip Davis, co-founder and chairman, TRX, president, Darden School Foundation, University of Virginia moderated the panel of leaders comprised of major travel suppliers including Barney Harford, CEO of Orbitz Worldwide, Luis Maroto, president and CEO of Amadeus, David Cush president and CEO of Virgin America and Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, Inc. Technology’s ability to change the dynamic between customer, supplier and company were big themes as well as the increasingly globalized nature of business.

“Technology is complementary to travel,” said David Cush of Virgin America, “But you still have to get on the airline, stay at the hotel and get out there to grow business.” The panel was sponsored by BMO Financial Group.

GBTA and Fast Company also announced the winners of the annual Business Traveler Innovation Awards 2012 congratulating the category winners, ExpertFlyer, Kayak.com, Carlson Wagonlit, Sabre Travel Network, Hertz and unveiled the 2012 People’s Choice Award and the GBTA Business Travel Judges’ Award Winners. ExertFlyer took home the 2012 People Choice Award and TripLingo won the GBTA Business Travel Judges’ Award Winners taking home the top prize.

Continuing a day of breaking news at Convention, GBTA announced the launch of its new GBTA Media Group. Through advocacy in radio, television, online and in print, the Association will build a dynamic media presence. The first phase of the media group is the launch of its new magazine, Global Business Travel, which was unveiled during the general session by GBTA Executive Director and COO, Michael W. McCormick. The first full issue of the print magazine will be published in January 2013.

Image Courtesy of   Jason and Bonnie Grower / Shutterstock.com

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed close to Wall Street at 8AM EDT where the couple and the former presidential couple George W. Bush and his wife Laura greeted victims families at Ground Zero’s North Memorial Pool. At 8.40AM, the American National Anthem was sung as the US flag was raised on the main stage.

The reading of the names of those who died continued all through the service. The Telegraph reports how pairs of relatives of the victims took turns to read out around ten names each and finishing with their deceased relative to whom they addressed a personal message.

To mark the moments when each plane hit the towers, moments of silence was held during the ceremony. A third silence was held to mark the attack on the Pentagon while the fourth marked the fall of the South Tower. At around 10AM EST, the fifth silence of the day marked Flight 93, the United Airlines plane whose passengers managed to overcome the hijackers, as it crashed in a Pennsylvanian field, killing all onboard. The final moment came at 10.28AM EST and marked the collapse of the second tower.

At the Pentagon ceremony, US Defense Security Leon Panetta said: “We will never forget the human cost paid by this generation – the more than 6,200 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines lost in the line of duty. Like those taken from us on 9/11, we feel their absence every day. Today we think of their families who have suffered tragedy and heartbreak, but shown extraordinary resilience and strength. We think of the thousands of veterans who carry the seen and unseen wounds of war with them every day.”

Bill Clinton released a statement in honor and remembrance of the victims and their loved ones. He thanked those left behind who had the courage and strength to help others in need: “Because we live in the most interdependent age in history, it is difficult to be open to the positive forces sweeping the world while closing our borders to the negative ones. So we also honor the service of those who have worked so hard for the last decade to keep America safe, free, and still open to people of every race, culture, and faith.”

According to The Telegraph, 422.000 New Yorkers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of the events during September 11, 2001.

The air quality around Ground Zero took nine months to return to pre-9/11 levels and it is estimated that over 2.500 contaminant were released by the fallen buildings. The Telegraph reported that many rescue workers and survivors fell ill from exposure to the toxic air and 75 of the recovery personal has since been diagnosed with blood cell cancers.

At 9.15AM GMT, a morning service of ‘remembrance and reconciliation’ was held today at Grosvenor Chapel in London, UK for the families of British 9/11 victims. Deputy US ambassador to Britain, Barbara Stephenson was attending. Later at around 11AM GMT, the memorial service at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral began.

Outside the US Embassy in London, extremists were burning the American flag in protest. British Muslim extremist Anjem Choudary encouraged all followers of Islam to join, according to British The Daily Mail, as a response to plans of one church to stage an ‘International Burn-A-Koran day’. The leader of a Protestant church in Gainesville, Florida, Pastor Terry Jones is the man behind the idea of public burning of Islam’s holy book but his plan has faced criticism in the US.

Nonetheless, Mr. Choudary said to The Daily Mail “We have called for the people to burn the American flag so that instead of being humiliated or being intimidated they can make this day a day to remember the atrocities being committed in Muslim lands and to expose the aggressor.”

Violent clashed broke out between Osama bin Laden-supporters and London police in the streets outside the American embassy this morning, local time, as protesters were trying to storm the embassy. The Daily Mail reported that the protest comes amid heightened security in London in anticipation of a possible al-Qaeda attack — and only a few days after the British capital was singled out as a major recruiting ground for the terrorist organization.

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The rumors swirling around a potential presidential bid for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are not ready to die yet. During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” a former Bush aide stated that Christie is still weighing his options.

“I don’t think Republicans regard this as a strong field,” Michael Gerson, a former George W. Bush speechwriter said. “So there is still talk of people getting in the race. Not just [Sarah] Palin but last week, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey was in Chicago and had two meetings with serious Republican groups from the Midwest.”

“He is actively, I think, considering getting in this race, which would throw things open once more,” he added. “But the desire for that to happen … it shows that they are not happy with the current field, they think it needs to be filled out in an important way. I don’t know if that is going to happen, but the desire for many Republicans to expand this field shows that they are not content with it.”

Many New Jersey residents and voters have praised Gov. Christie for his handling of Hurricane Irene which may have triggered the speculation of his presidential bid again. A new poll found that 54 percent of New Jersey voters approve of the governor.

Angered when beachgoers were not heading the warnings before the storm, Christie announced “Get the hell off the beach,” at a news conference. Christie was praised for his forthrightness, although some criticized his vulgarity. Now, that the storm has passed Christie has told beachgoers to return. “Get the hell back on the beach!” he tweeted before Labor Day.

Christie has insisted in the past that he is not running for president. Of course, there is still speculation around Sarah Palin who has not ruled out a potential run. Despite some republican insiders and political pundits’ unhappiness with the field, voters seem generally satisfied.

An Associated Press-GfK poll released last week found that two-thirds of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents were pleased with the presidential field.

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