The National Business Travel Association next year will change its name to the Global Business Travel Association, it announced Monday during its International Convention & Exposition in Houston, to better reflect the organization's worldwide scope.

"Our industry continues to evolve, and our jobs are evolving as well," said NBTA president and CEO Craig Banikowski in a statement. "Just as we have all changed our thinking about our jobs in recent years, our association must shift its thinking. As your elected president and CEO, my primary strategic focus is taking NBTA from being a national organization to being a truly global business group that gives you seamless access to best-in-class resources, information and the global network you need—anytime, anyplace."

Meanwhile, NBTA has separately announced it has "acquired and taken full control" of The Masters Program, an annual corporate travel event in Washington. D.C. The association through a partnership with travel technology firm Amadeus "will transform the Masters Program into a global thought-leadership forum for C-level and senior executives and a think tank for the travel industry," NBTA said in a statement.

Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch will address the next Masters Program, to be held Feb. 7-8, NBTA announced Monday.

Photo: NBTA president and CEO Craig Banikowski.