The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) announced that Ed Rendell, former governor of Pennsylvania, author and NBC News Analyst, will be joining GBTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Michael McCormick for a one-on-one conversation at the opening session of the annual 2012 GBTA Convention in Boston. “The Welcome Session: GBTA's Sunday Night Live,” sponsored by J.P. Morgan and AirPlus, will be held Sunday night, July 22, from 5 to 6 p.m. ET.

Rendell will discuss America's need to rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure, the importance of courageous leaders in today's political landscape, and the ways America can embrace alternative energy for efficiency and cost savings. He will also share lessons learned in his 34 years of public service as district attorney, mayor of Philadelphia and governor.

"We are thrilled to have former Governor Ed Rendell join our Sunday Night Live Session line-up. His no-nonsense approach to governing and blunt speaking style made him one of this country's truly unique elected officials," said McCormick.  “Gov. Rendell's dedication to developing our infrastructure speaks directly to one of GBTA's core public policy goals, the full implementation of the NextGen program to modernize the American aviation industry. Gov. Rendell understands how important infrastructure development is to advancing our economy."

Rendell is a proponent of green and alternative energy and committed to making America a cleaner, more efficient place for economic growth. He serves on several boards of directors and also campaigns regularly for government efficiency. He recently published a memoir, "A Nation of Wusses,” and appears regularly as a political analyst on NBC. He is also currently teaching government and politics courses at the University of Pennsylvania.