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The Transportation Alliance (TTA)—formerly the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA)—announced a preliminary agenda for Mobilize 2022, its upcoming Annual Convention & Expo. The association’s 104th convention will be held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this October 31-November 2.
TTA President Judy Potter of Black & White Transportation
“Time and time again, I hear from TTA members about the value of our Annual Convention & Expo,” said TTA President Judy Potter in a press release from the association. “Our convention brings together industry professionals from all over the world, and I know from my own experience that the resources and information that Mobilize offers are invaluable to fleet operators looking to network and expand their businesses.”
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas
In addition to its Expo Hall, which features dozens of exhibitors connected to the ground transportation industry, the convention boasts committee meetings, networking opportunities, and dedicated educational sessions (General Sessions and Learning Labs). According to the association, session topics will include non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) credentialing and training, business diversification, camera systems for claims management and security, vehicle collision avoidance systems, finding the right insurance coverage, partnering with TNCs like Uber, and winning new contracts.
For more information about registering, exhibiting, or sponsoring, click here.
[07.19.22]
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With the recent announcement by London Heathrow Airport that it would limit travelers to no more than 100,000 per day through September to combat crippling staff shortages, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is calling on the European Commission to prevent a roadblock to the travel industry’s recovery. This comes on the heels of the US lifting the pre-travel testing for US-bound vaccinated passengers in June, which was considered a big win for business travel. With London as one of the most popular destinations or through-points for international business travel, this announcement could impact its tenuous comeback.
GBTA Convention San Diego August 14-16
“GBTA is calling on the European Commission to prioritize and expediate the needed safety background checks to help alleviate the pressure at airports. The EU must set policies and procedures in place for the future as a precautionary measure should the situation arise again,” said GBTA Regional Vice President Catherine Logan.
Despite the setback, business travel bookings have been increasing each month since restrictions were eased on international travel in 2021. According to GBTA, business travel is projected to reach pre-COVID levels of $1.4 trillion by 2024.
GBTA is doing a bit of traveling of its own as it heads to San Diego for its 53rd Convention this August 14-17. With the theme of (Re)connect, (Re)imagine and (Re)create, the association aims to reunite the global business travel community while looking ahead at the needs of travel buyers, suppliers, and business travelers.
The four-day event includes countless networking events (including its Welcome Reception, “Taste of San Diego” at Bayfront Park), State of the Industry, numerous professional development courses and education sessions (broken into tracks), and Expo floor hours—where many transportation companies in our space have displayed in the past. The event is attended by thousands annually from all over the globe. WINiT, the women’s organization that is a part of GBTA, will also hold the WINiT Summit on August 14. That morning, attendees are also invited to join the GBTA’s 4th annual 5K Run/Walk, which will traverse the sights of San Diego and benefit climate carbon off-setter nonprofit Cool Effect.
Registration and more information is available at convention.gbta.org.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[07.19.22]
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Earlier this year, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Uber for Business teamed up for a brand-new report—The Corporate Travel Comeback: The Evolution of Ground Transportation and Other Trending Business Travel Topics—which surveyed North American corporate travel managers.
The report finds that travel managers are focused on specific key considerations for their post-pandemic travel management plans. According to the data, 75 percent of employers are more focused on traveler safety/well-being, 55 percent on sustainability/social responsibility, and 53 percent on travel policy compliance/enforcement compared to the same time two years ago.
“As we’ve moved through the pandemic, business travel and travelers have changed and therefore company travel programs must evolve accordingly. This research puts a spotlight on some of the important and thoughtful considerations happening across companies and corporate travel departments when it comes to serving employees traveling for business moving forward,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang.
Some key takeaways from the report:
- Rideshare and rental cars top the list. Most travel managers say their company’s employees “frequently” use rental cars (82 percent) and rideshare apps (70 percent) on work trips, but fewer than half (48 percent) say employees frequently use taxis.
- Most travel policies at least sometimes allow chauffeured transportation/black car service (74 percent), premium ridesharing (68 percent), and premium/luxury rental cars (51 percent). Roughly one-third say their company’s employees “sometimes” or “frequently” use chauffeured transportation (36 percent) or premium ridesharing (30 percent).
- Half of travel programs (49 percent) currently have a business account with a rideshare platform and one-third (35 percent) would consider it. The most important features cited by travel managers were reporting (76 percent), integration with expense platforms (69 percent), and ability to apply company policies (62 percent).
- An overwhelming majority (84 percent) say sustainability is at least somewhat important in the design of their company’s travel program, with 50 percent saying it is very or extremely important.
- 73 percent are tracking or considering setting up tracking ground transportation sustainability efforts. However, only 6 percent say their company currently allows employees to spend more on sustainable travel options, and an additional one-quarter (26 percent) are considering allowing employees to spend more.
- Ninety percent say employees are more (30 percent) or equally as interested (60 percent) in bleisure travel compared to pre-pandemic times. And although 36 percent say their company’s travel policy expressly allows bleisure trips, 49 percent their policy does not, but employees are often allowed to take these trips in practice.
GBTA members can download a full copy of the research report on the GBTA Hub.
[07.12.22]