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- Category: Industry News
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is out with its latest poll—its 32nd in the series—surveying business travel professionals worldwide on what they expect in the coming months ahead, and the road looks good for continued recovery. However, the poll also identified areas where change might be coming throughout 2024, including cost management, sustainability (yup, it’s still a thing), and the continued integration of technology.
GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang
“With some exceptions, as an industry global business travel has continued to rebound over the past year and has made great strides in getting back to business as usual. As our latest GBTA poll outlines, ongoing challenges are expected, but there are optimistic indicators for an even stronger year ahead as organizations continue to leverage business travel and face-to-face connections as a critical part of their strategy to achieve important and ambitious objectives,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang.
Some highlights of the poll:
- Most industry stakeholders surveyed (84 percent) report their company’s business travel in 2023 has either largely (43 percent) or mostly (41 percent) recovered when compared to their 2019 levels.
- Domestic business travel bookings stand at 76 percent (up from 72 percent in the April 2023 GBTA poll). On the international front, bookings reached 70 percent of their 2019 levels (up from 63 percent in April).
- Respondents report domestic business travel spending has reached 77 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while international spend sits at 74 percent (up from 74 percent and 66 percent, respectively, from April).
- Challenges: Respondents say the top barriers that affected their business travel in 2023 have included corporate budgets keeping up with price increases (69 percent), inflation/recession concerns (63 percent), and geo-political events (44 percent). Suppliers (67 percent) are more likely than buyers (59 percent) to say inflation/recession concerns are a significant barrier.
- On a regional basis, stakeholders in Europe (54 percent) are more likely than in Asia-Pacific (23 percent), Latin America (23 percent) and North America (12 percent) to report climate impact concerns as a barrier. North America respondents (32 percent) are more likely than those in Europe (20 percent) to cite workforce hiring/retention as a significant barrier.
- Meetings: Travel buyers report increases in their employees attending in-person meetings and conferences (55 percent), holding virtual meetings (52 percent), blending travel (50 percent) and “linking”(multi-purpose or multi-destination) business trips (49 percent) versus 2022.
- Budgets: For 2024, 67 percent of travel buyers expect their travel budgets to increase (39 percent) or remain about the same (28 percent). Only one in ten (14 percent) buyers report they are currently implementing a plan to limit business travel because of economic concerns.
- Cost Management: This remains a top strategic priority, with 62 percent of respondents emphasizing its importance for their company’s business travel program. Traveler safety (44 percent) and sustainability (37 percent) followed closely.
Poll results and highlights can be found here.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[11.07.23]
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- Category: Industry News
J.J. Keller & Associates, a provider of safety and regulatory compliance solutions across North America, is celebrating 70 years in business. Founded on November 1, 1953, by World War II Veteran John “Jack” Keller, J.J. Keller & Associates started as a one-man consulting firm specializing in transportation regulations for motor carriers. Over the years, the company has grown exponentially, expanding its expertise and solutions to address regulatory complexities for a wide range of industries.
J.J. Keller & Associates Founder Jack Keller
Rustin Keller, the third-generation leader and current president and CEO of the company, reflected on the J.J. Keller’s humble beginnings.
"My grandfather's vision was to assist motor carriers in navigating the complex regulations associated with an emerging intrastate trucking industry in 1953," he said. "His dedication and experience in transportation for Wisconsin paper companies laid the foundation for what J.J. Keller has become today."
With over 2,000 associates across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and a dedicated Center of Excellence in India, J.J. Keller has become a comprehensive provider of safety and compliance solutions. Its offerings include consulting and training services, managed services, content subscriptions, cloud-based solutions, and a wide range of physical products. These solutions help employers ensure the safety of their employees and mitigate the risk of noncompliance with a multitude of regulatory bodies such as the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
J.J. Keller President and CEO Rustin Keller
On J.J. Keller’s anniversary, Rustin Keller acknowledged the advancements made since the company’s inception.
"The wide range of expertise and technology-based solutions we offer today would likely have surpassed even my grandfather's entrepreneurial imagination," he said. "However, what I believe he would easily recognize is our commitment to carrying forward his legacy of protecting people and the businesses they run."
The company’s anniversary coincided with November 1 being Great Place to Work Certification Nation Day, a day on which Great Place to Work honors and acknowledges Great Place to Work-Certified companies across the country, which create great places to work for all. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike for identifying outstanding employee experiences.
“Our associates have ranked J.J. Keller as a Great Place to Work seven times,” said Rustin Keller. “It’s an honor bestowed on us by our associates, and it shows our true care for associates—something our founder, Jack Keller, instilled when he put ‘Associates’ in the company name.”
To commemorate the significant milestone of 70 years in business, J.J. Keller has released a new eBook that provides a look into the company's history. The eBook provides an overview of the company's journey, highlighting achievements, milestones, and the values that have guided it for the past seven decades. For more information about J.J. Keller's 70th anniversary and to access the commemorative e-book, please visit here.
Visit jjkeller.com for more information.
[11.06.23]
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- Category: Industry News
In response to resounding industry demand for in-office training, complementing on-road expertise, PAX Training, the official training partner of the National Limousine Association, is proud to unveil two highly anticipated certifications crafted specifically for customer service representatives (CSRs) and dispatchers.
The CSR Certification redefines how frontline staff interact with clientele. Beyond needed skills, this certification emphasizes the essential thought processes a CSR must possess. From effectively tailoring communication strategies for different customer types to mastering the nuances of quoting and booking, the course ensures CSRs don't just respond but anticipate and craft unparalleled experiences.
In parallel, the Dispatcher Certification is designed to train dispatchers to think beyond mere scheduling. The course instills the importance of proactive trip monitoring, strategic decision-making, and efficient problem-solving. No matter the software or operational specifics, dispatchers are trained to internalize best practices and apply a globally relevant thought process, ensuring peak fleet efficiency and client satisfaction.
PAX Training President James Blain
"Our team has worked diligently to bring these transformative courses to fruition," says PAX Training President James Blain. "We're not teaching mere tasks; we're instilling a mindset—a way of thinking, of adapting, that turns any challenge into an opportunity. It's not just about doing the job; it's about mastering it, no matter the curveballs."
Existing PAX Training Members can integrate these certifications into their existing membership at an investment of $499 each, empowering limitless employee certifications.
Recognizing the harmonized value of these certifications, PAX Training is offering a limited-time bundle, allowing members to add both certifications to their membership at a special one-time investment of $899, highlighting the company’s unwavering commitment to exceptional value and their vision of industry-wide excellence.
Visit paxtraining.com for more information.
[11.06.23]