The Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention, with nearly 7,000 attendees, gathers business travel and meetings professionals from around the world. This year’s event, scheduled July 26-30 in Los Angeles, offers compelling speakers; an exposition of more than 400 companies; and educational sessions organized into more than 20 specialized tracks.
BCD Travel, Advito and BCD M&I experts will be among those sharing insights on the latest trends and strategies. Here’s where you’ll find them:
The Next Evolution of Travel Management Companies, July 28, 9-10 a.m.
April Bridgeman, managing director, Advito, and senior vice president, BCD Travel
It’s no secret that consumer tools and increased traveler data have created challenges for TMCs and corporate travel managers, but they’ve provided opportunity, too. How do TMCs take advantage of these innovations and prepare for future changes? Join this lively session and walk away with ideas for your travel program.
Travel Tech Trends 2014, July 28, 9-10 a.m.
Miriam Moscovici, director of innovation, BCD Travel
This interactive session will be designed by the audience as it happens. You’ll call the shots on which topics get discussed. Among the possibilities: traveler-specific tools; en route services; mobile; Big Data vs. my data; the dream of personalization; and open booking.
Risk Management and Meetings: How Prepared Are You? July 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
George Odom, vice president, Advito
For years, travel departments have focused on keeping travelers safe and minimizing risk. But as more travel departments integrate with corporate meeting departments, new risks emerge. A panel of experts will discuss site selection and hotel security; air and attendee risk; sourcing and contracting; and reporting and data capture. The panel also will take audience questions.
Rates Loaded? Check, Please! A Hotel Rate Auditing Discussion, July 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Marwan Batrouni, practice area leader, Advito
Enhance your hotel program by understanding the role of the hotel audit. In this session presented by the GBTA Hotel Committee, you’ll hear from practitioners who’ve conducted comprehensive rate audits, discover which components are relevant to your program and learn how to execute an audit.
60 Minutes to Success: How to Pull Together Compelling Travel Analytics for Your Stakeholders, July 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Lisa Wilke, senior director, Account Management, and Leslie West, senior vice president, BCD Travel
Travel managers may excel at sourcing hotel and air programs, keeping travelers safe and productive and driving up program compliance—but what’s the best way to communicate that successful performance to others in your organization? In this no-nonsense crash course, you’ll learn how to pull together reports that resonate with various stakeholders. The aim: to ensure everyone understands why your travel program is important to their work and to the broader corporate strategy.
Rules of Engagement: Using Marketing to Save Money and Increase Traveler Satisfaction, July 29, 9-10 a.m.
Shannon Garcia, principal and vice president, and Lesley O’Bryan, practice area leader, Advito
Up to 40% of the cost of a business trip stems from decisions travelers make on the road. But influencing those decisions starts long before your travelers head to the airport and continues after they return home. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to implement a traveler engagement program using marketing campaigns aimed at driving down costs, increasing policy compliance and meeting underlying business objectives. Bring your business plan and work through some sample campaigns with the experts.
Alliances, JVs, Mergers, Oh My! July 29, 9-10 a.m.
Bob Brindley, principal and vice president, Advito
In a session designed to inform both corporate travel buyers and suppliers, a panel of experts will explain the landscape for consolidation and business partnerships among industry players. Then they’ll take audience questions on best practices in the current and near-future environment, top consolidation concerns and more.
A Day in the Life of an Electronic Request for Proposal (eRFP) for Meetings and Events, July 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Charlene Rabideau, BCD Meetings & Incentives
This session will use results of a recent GBTA survey to guide a discussion on the volume and lifecycle of eRFPs. The audience will work in teams to develop best-practice ideas for ensuring that eRFPs for meetings and events get the attention needed to keep business flowing. The session will wrap up with the panel of experts offering feedback on participants’ ideas.
Off the Grid/Under the Radar: Open Booking, July 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Kathy Bedell, senior vice president, BCD Travel
What does open booking really mean? And what’s its impact on your managed travel program and the safety and security of your travelers? Uncover the risks and rewards of open booking, including savings and traveler autonomy vs. traveler safety; how open booking affects traveler security in a crisis; and how open booking will unfold in the future.
Best Practices in Managing Travel Disruptions—How Do You Manage the Chaos? July 30, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Amy Hyatt, director of Operations and Account Management, BCD Travel
Travel disruptions can range from a delayed flight to a natural disaster. Proactive management minimizes the impact on the traveler; increases security and the level of care; and reduces overall company costs. Join the conversation to discuss real-world travel disruption scenarios and how you can manage the chaos.
