BBT Forum
TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING CHANGE SENIOR TRAVEL BUYERS HEADED TO LONDON’S GRANGE CITY HOTEL IN OCTOBER FOR OUR
LATEST FORUM, TO DEBATE THE EVOLVING ROLE TECH PLAYS IN CORPORATE TRAVEL
TRAVEL PROGRAMMES have to embrace technology, but not for its own sake – it has to enhance service. This was the message that came through loud and clear at the latest BBT Forum.
REGISTER NOW! FRIDAY OCTOBER 3, 2014 • GRAnGE CITY HOTEl
The forums, which are supported by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), are regular events for travel buyers to discuss topical issues. In October, the expert panelists included travel buyers, consultants and suppliers, while a 50 per cent buyer ratio ensured rewarding conversations. “The travel industry is retarded in its adoption of technology,” said moderator and CEO of HRS, Jon West. West pointed to travellers’ tools on their own devices outperforming those supplied by their travel managers, resulting in travellers continuing to book outside policy, derailing compliance and duty-of-care.
Supported by: Joint sponsors:
The BBT Autumn Forum in London will explore and debate the impact of technology on your travel programme – come and join in the conversation.
Adoption of technology is related less to age than attitude, according to some delegates. “Our employees have one thing in common,” said one travel manager. “They want everything to work quickly, to be simple, to be user-friendly and to operate at the same speed as their own products.”
WHAT MAKES THESE FORUMS DIFFERENT?
■ No Powerpoint. No formal presentations. Just honest, open dialogue. ■ Discussions stimulated by industry experts with equal audience interaction. ■ A high buyer ratio. ■ Outstanding networking opportunities. ■ Four themed sessions.
One session looked at expense management tools and the complex challenges around achieving fully end-to- end solutions. Delegates agreed the cost of replacing a legacy system was the biggest obstacle to companies adopting an end-to-end system, with return on investment (ROI) not seen for several years after starting to implement a solution. Integrating data from disparate systems is key to an effective expense management programme.
Event location sponsor:
Adoption of technology is related less to age than attitude
Supported by
Another session looked at how to write a good request for proposal (RFP) and get a constructive response. The forum heard that RFPs should not be completed in isolation – suppliers need to understand clients’ business and travel imperatives. There were success stories: the Wellcome Trust charitable foundation recently tendered for a travel management company. “It was an exceptional process,” said travel manager Rod Richardson. “We had stringent
■ For further information visit
buyingbusinesstravel.com/ bbtforum
If you are a travel buyer or travel manager and do not have the budget to attend, please contact Claire Robson at
events@panaceapublishing.com or call +44 (0)207 821 2700 and we will try and match you with a hosted place.
criteria surrounding the supplier we wanted to work with and the service we wanted.” Delegates agreed it is incumbent on the issuer to define what they need in clear, concise questions – and on the supplier to read the questions. Hotels compete on a permanent basis, but no agreed rate is going to be the lowest rate year-round and buyers have to accept that, the forum heard; but some said hoteliers’ unrealistic rate increases hinder the process – open conversations are key. The final session was an open Q&A with a range of topics discussed, including how tailoring policy to reflect different job roles can drive compliance, technology in 2020, and how to start a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) programme. • For more information, see
buyingbusinesstravel.com
Supported by 14 BBT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 060 BBT Forum
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BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM 22/08/2014 12:19
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