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news conference report
ttglive.com
GTMC Conference 2009
May 10-13 ■ Dubai
The Guild of Travel Management Companies’
PROMOTION.
annual conference was attended by more than 100
TMCs ‘must shout merits’
delegates. Martin Ferguson reports from Dubai
TRAVEL MANAGEMENT companies must do more
to promote their services, according to one of the
UK’s most high-profile travel buyers.
Jamie Hindhaugh, head of procurement for the
BBC, told GTMC members the intermediaries
should “shout about” the value they offer.
“You can’t assume the corporate always knows
what you’re doing,” said Hindhaugh, who is
also deputy chairman of the Institute of Travel
and Meetings.
“We don’t see all the hard work that goes on
behind the scenes, especially when it comes to
issues such as dealing with Iata regulations.
“We need to work harder at our relationships
and make sure there are no divisions between
buyers, suppliers and agencies.
“The TMC must be brave and not just do as we
ask. We appreciate they have to make money,
From left: Alison Occomore, Gray Dawes; Maurice Veronique, GTMC; and Daniel Price, The Appointment Group otherwise they wouldn’t be there to help us.”
Travel procurement expert Hannah Bodilly
‘Be social media savvy’
called on TMCs to provide better analysis of
travel data.
“I need to know what routes are being flown
frequently and how many rail tickets we are
YOUNG employees in travel management media sites on a daily basis, while senior staff buying. I need to see where my savings are being
companies interested in new forms of online have a more complete knowledge of the business made and where there are opportunities to do
social media have been hailed as key to the travel sector. deals with suppliers,” she said.
future success of their businesses. “By combining both skill sets, TMCs will forge
Two of the Guild of Travel Management Com- new ways of doing business.”
panies’ rising stars urged delegates to engage Price and Occomore advised members to
FUTURE EVENTS.
with staff who use social media applications if prepare for a cultural revolution, saying: “The
First-ever UK conference
they are to keep pace with the digital revolution. digital native [anyone born after 1985] is the
Daniel Price, operations manager of The travel buyer, agent and supplier of tomorrow.” NEXT YEAR’S GTMC annual conference will be
Appointment Group, and Alison Occomore, “These people have short attention spans and held in Hong Kong – and the guild will also hold
account manager of Gray Dawes, are both need information given to them in a fast and its first-ever domestic conference later this year.
members of the guild’s Twenty/20 group. efficient manner. GTMC chairman Maurice Veronique said the
The group was established by chairman “Instead of reading newspapers they will decision to host a UK event was taken because of
Maurice Veronique last year to bring a youthful listen to podcasts and use social media growing demand from both travel management
perspective on the business travel industry applications on their mobile phones and PDAs.” and supplier members.
to the guild. The pair said social media devices were free “We have always held our AGM in January and
The pair, speaking at the GTMC conference in tools for enhancing a company’s profile. the annual conference in May,” he said.
Dubai, advised chief executives and managing “Your website and social media presence is “But that left eight months of the year when
director delegates to initiate “buddy schemes” your shop window and if customers don’t like members did not see each other. The domestic
within their companies so young members of what they see, they’ll take their business conference is a much-needed platform for all
staff can educate senior colleagues about web- somewhere else.” concerned at the GTMC.”
sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. The GTMC has set up a LinkedIn account The conference takes place at the Jumeirah
“It’s a no-brainer,” Price said. “The vast and has invited individuals from guild member Carlton Tower in London on October 7.
majority of employees under 30 will use social companies to sign up. The Hong Kong dates have yet to be confirmed.
12 22.05.2009
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