Business Travel Executive, March 2020

44 Business Travel Executive askBTE com March 2020 TT THINK TANK JENNIFER STEINKE Global Head of Travel PPD Inc CHERYL BENJAMIN Travel Services Manager Dart Container Corporation CHRIS BROCKMAN Manager Global Engagement WTMC GLORIA A GONZALEZ Director of Travel and Meeting Services Freeman In each issue of Business Travel Executive the members of our Buyer Think Tank offer their individual thoughts on whats hot whats cool and whats coming next in managed travel The Think Tank is a team of eight veteran travel managers from programs that run the gamut in size and complexity but each member contributes a unique viewpoint Travel Buyers POV brings fresh perspectives and ideas to inspire innovation and thought leadership in the corporate travel industry There was a time when managing the ground transportation part of a travel program was a relatively uncomplicated affair with a limited number of choices and fairly cut and dried negotiations However as we discover in this issues special report Shifting Ground page 10 this travel segment has been undergoing nothing short of a revolution As we learn from our BTE Think Tank managing all the ground options is now more global and multifaceted with opportunities for improving traveler experience saving money and not a few risks to consider TRAVEL BUYERS POV Cover More Ground Consider the Options Meeting My Ride Things Can Get Complicated Ground transportation has gone through a massive transformation in the past decade and I dont anticipate the pace of change slowing Most companies have already addressed ride sourcing applications in their policies and have already captured the savings from partnering with those companies Many buyers need to have a diversified field of ground transportation options incorporating traditional chauffeured services ride sourcing and car rental Contracts with car rental will continue to cover the main needs pricing insurance and central billing But I anticipate an uptick in age waivers as the age range of our work force increases from employees starting to travel for work sooner and people working longer Ride Agreements with rental car companies have changed over the last couple of years As a travel manager I think its important to provide travelers with a safe and cost effective option for all their needs I feel having a rental car agreement is still necessary for my travelers as they Ridesharing has a significant impact on my program in the area of meetings In most cases we have shifted airport transfers to our rideshare partner We still schedule car groups in the same way as shuttles or rentals so administratively nothing has changed It has given the conference attendee more freedom when arrival times change Additionally we have eliminated rental cars in downtown conference facilities and provide all attendees with prepaid codes for free time Historically ground transportation used to be a quick win in the managed travel program Car rental RFP and boom done But with the huge impact of ridesharing increase use in black car services integration of meetings and events falling under the travel umbrella the category has become more complex and more strategic We certainly spend more time assessing the risks that are associat Monumental Changes Ground transportation always seems to be the poor stepchild of travel Its the last to be addressed after airlines and hotels Despite the lower spend numbers I seem to get more complaints about this sector of travel than any other Car rentals have always been fairly straightforward You negotiate an agreement with rates that include insurance and make sure you drive your travelers to that supplier You dont allow other suppliers to even be an option in your online booking tool or with your TMC travel counselors If the service is not stellar or there are billing problems you usually hear about it Executive car service is a touchy subject At NetApp its usually only