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5/22/2009

Oui, Paris

Kevin and I recently joined more than 250 business travel management professionals at Crossroads Paris, our 2nd annual pan-European business travel conference. The conference, co-hosted by the Paragon Partnership, drew attendees from 17 countries.

With so many countries represented, I had an amazing experience. There were a great deal of different perspectives, as highlighted in the "glocal" nature of one of the education tracks. To go "glocal," I learned, is the art of finding the right local versus global strategy for multi-national travel programs. There was a lot of conversation around going "glocal" at Crossroads. I know I came away with some new strategies for my program.

Attendees also had the chance to network and interact with 25 suppliers. I was energized by the networking and the connections that were made throughout the conference. Cards were flying, as were LinkedIn and Facebook details. One of the speakers showed a device on which you can load your Facebook profile and then share it with other event attendees and capture theirs. Social media was alive and well at Crossroads!

It was great to have your NBTA Board represented as well. Suzanne Fletcher, Kari Kesler, and Shelly Lewchuk were there and were active participants and represented NBTA beautifully. Many thanks to them. I also must thank our staff for all their hard work. We could not do these events without them. I think it is a testament to their hard work that in such challenging economic times, more than 250 people attended Crossroads and had the opportunity to enhance their careers.

I can't end this post without mentioning the epicurean delight that is Paris. I will not soon forget the bone marrow appetizers or the amazing duck ala'range. The French do amazing things with duck. And don't even get me started on the patiseries - the bakeries. It's a very good thing that I was able to run every morning down to the Arc de Triomphe and back to undo some of the caloric damage done the night before!

Thanks to each of you for all that you continue to do to make this profession and association what it is.

- Michael

Posted at 10:01 AM by Michael Lyons | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

5/4/2009

Rocky Mountain BTA - Education Day in the Rockies

- NBTA Pres Maguire
- Denver Mayor Hickenlooper

- RMBTA Pres Pam McTeer

When professionals interact to share ideas and solutions on travel issues, the industry as a whole benefits from the discussion. I recently had the priviledge of speaking at the Rocky Mountain BTA's Education Day; I was able to participate in a roundtable session with Direct Members and observe a similar program with Allied Members. Finding feasible, good answers to travel problems...what a great way to approach one of the most difficult times in the history of the travel industry!

The program also included a variety of other topics and speakers, including a segment by the NBTA Foundation's Executive Director, Daphne Bryant. Daphne took the group through the newly enhanced Benchmarking Tool, available from the Foundation.

The state of the industry and how NBTA is approaching the current situation were my topics. I talked about how NBTA is adjusting the association's budget, cutting costs, planning for the future and finding ways to help our members through these trying times.

I also was honored to meet with the Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper, who was announcing an innovative stimulus plan to bring more business travelers and tourists to that city. The mayor also announced that Denver will host the NBTA International Convention & Exposition in 2011. On a side note, the Mayor is married to a lovely lady from my home town of Austin, TX, and he and I discovered that we have several friends in common.

It was a good group...lots of comments, lots of questions, and everyone looking for ways to find the "silver lining" in today's economy.

Thanks to the Rocky Mountain BTA for a great meeting and wonderful hospitality.

- Kevin

Posted at 11:29 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/23/2009

New Sports Task Force - Another NBTA Home Run

Media Coverage

HSMAI

BTB Travel

California Lodging
Industry Association

NBTA has announced the formation of a new Sports Travel Task Force, and the initial response from the industry...both suppliers and buyers...is that NBTA has hit a "towering" home run. Sports travel issues have long been placed on the "back burner", but sports-related travel makes up a large portion of the spend in today's travel industry.

To see the press release on the Sports Travel Task Force, please go to:

www2.nbta.org/usa/pressreleases/Pages/rls041309.aspx

You may also be interested in the DePauw University announcement and the additional coverage listed at the right.

NBTA and the NCAA partnered in this unprecedented plan to bring this very high-level group of sports travel professionals together. My kudos to Nikki "Superwoman" Watson of the NCAA who is chairing this task force. Nikki was able to convince not only the original group to join together to find solutions and ways to benchmark best practices, but is working now on an additional advisory group which will include members of the sports media and other interested parties. At this point, the Sports Travel Task Force consists of only Direct Members (buyers), but the plan is to add Allied Members (suppliers) in the future.

NBTA's launch of The Sports Travel Task Force...another travel industry first.

- Kevin

Posted at 8:54 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/15/2009

The 8th Annual Texas Education Day

It's hard to believe that "Texas Education Day" -- the combined effort of the three Texas chapters of NBTA based in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston -- has just completed its 8th Anniversary. This year, Texas Education Day was hosted by the DFW-BTA, and it was another success.

Facilitated by Leadership Outfitters, attendees were taken through a series of exercises designed to help improve leadership skills and communication. Working in groups, people were forced to think, to share ideas, and to justify their decisions on leadership-related topics.

An airline panel gave an excellent overview on where that part of the industry has been in recent months, prospects for the future, and answered questions from the audience...never an easy task when the questions come from NBTA members.

Det. Kevin Coffey, from Corporate Travel Safety, offered another excellent segment on what companies and travelers need to be concerned about when traveling. A long-time friend, I have heard Kevin speak many times in the past, and each presentation provides more important safety information to his listeners.

Next year, Texas Education Day returns to my home chapter in Austin. NBTA members from all across the country attend, and you are all invited. And, if you think you have been to a good education day....wait until you experience the spin the Texas chapters put on education. It's well worth your time.

- Kevin

Posted at 5:47 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/14/2009

Central Florida BTA - Where was Mickey Mouse??

Okay, I love Orlando, and this is the second time the Central Florida BTA was gracious enough to ask me to come address their members. With all the disheartening economic news floating in the media, it was great to have a chance to share comments and ideas with chapter members.

I talked about how NBTA is positioning itself in this economic downturn and what we were doing to help our members survive the tough times. NBTA has cut our operational costs, in some cases up to 20%, and your association has implemented a series of programs in the NBTA Industry Stimulus Package to help every member over this economic hump.

The CFBTA members were very engaging, and I had the opportunity to sit at a direct-member roundtable prior to the general meeting. There was excellent interaction at that meeting, lots of open discussions, and pointed comments about the state of the industry and solutions for how to make things better. It was one of the better discussion groups I have attended lately.

There is a light at the end of the economic tunnel. Unfortunately, the light is perceived to be still attached to a train barreling down the tracks. We need to think positive. The situation will get better once people believe there is improvement, and money begins flowing in the proper economic channels again. Remember, one in seven jobs in the United States is tied to the travel and entertainment industry...let's not lose sight of that fact. We can make this industry great again...working together. And, we need to act now.

- Kevin

Posted at 4:51 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/12/2009

NBTA Canada...Great Job, Farewell, and Thanks!

On St. Patrick's Day (March 17), Michael and I were honored to be invited to speak at the Fifth Annual NBTA Canada Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase. Not only was attendance at a record, people were actually turned away because of space limitations. Even when the economy is sour, it seems people make a point to attend good educational programs.

In a first for an NBTA International program, Paul Tilstone --from ITM (UK-based Institute of Travel & Meetings), a member organization of the Paragon Partnership global alliance of business travel associations -- spoke to the group from London via video conference. People were able to hear how things were from a European perspective, and Paul also opened up the program for questions from the Canadian audience. There is an obvious bond between members of the Commonwealth.

Again, great interaction from the attendees, an excellent exhibitor trade show, and solid educational opportunities were the core of the conference. Another fantastic job by the NBTA Canada staff...Tanya, Shelley and Kim, great job.

It was a bitter-sweet time for Michael and me, however. This conference marked our last visit in our "official" capacities as President and Vice President of NBTA. Our thanks to all of you in Canada, to the NBTA staff and all our industry friends who have made our visits to Canada so very special. And, if you ever need us...we will be around somewhere.

- Kevin

Posted at 11:16 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/20/2009

Guest Blog: COMPETE or STAY HOME: The Science of Travel Management

There is a lively debate here in Washington about corporate excess. We have all seen the media attention around the excesses of executives of companies getting “bail out” money, and none of us like to see our tax dollars wasted with such disregard. If that was the extent of the debate about curbing excess, there wouldn’t be a debate, we’d all agree this is just wrong. Unfortunately, some politicians and the media have used our popular outrage against this excess and turned it on legitimate business travel and legitimate business meetings. Lumping legitimate business into the witch’s brew of corporate excess is just wrong and hurting the wrong people.

Scores of companies are canceling travel and meetings, not because it’s is not in their strategic interest, but because they don’t want a tabloid TV cameraman showing up at their next sales conference portraying it as a wild boondoggle. So companies are staying home in big numbers. This is bad for America, bad for the economy, and bad for workers losing their jobs who made a living as hotel clerks, cab drivers, jet mechanics, or any one of the millions of positions in this huge economic engine called the travel industry. Let’s turn the TV cameras to the homes of these unemployed industry workers and tell their story. This doesn’t have the “gotcha” image of an executive sipping a martini, but this is the real story behind this debate.

Next, let’s tell the story of how businesses do business and fuel this economy. A study by our friends at USTA recently showed that 81% of business executives from big companies believed that MORE client contact would be helpful to their companies in an economic downturn. This gives some science to the concept once acted out in a 30- second United Airlines commercial years ago. Those of us in business travel talk about this commercial all the time. It’s the one where the CEO hands his key sales folks airline tickets and tells them to get out there and meet with their customers before they lose them to the competition. This is the other story that needs to be told in this moment of corporate paranoia. If American corporations retreat into a fearful bunker mentality where all business travel and meetings are bad, they will lose to their competition.

This brings me to the “science” of managing travel and strategically managing corporate meetings and events. Companies who manage their travel and meetings spend, and do so with an eye on the company’s strategic goals, will prosper and should stay out of the media doghouse. Travel management is a science that is little understood by the rest of the world, but it should be taking center stage in this national debate. Travel and meetings help make companies and organizations competitive, smarter and more prosperous if managed well. This is what the travel managers and strategic meetings managers of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) do for a living. The science of travel management is the penicillin for the plague of corporate excess, and we need to teach that science to reporters, politicians, business leaders and shareholders everywhere.

Smart companies will get back on the road, and become more competitive and productive by scientifically and strategically managing their travel and meetings. If companies don’t have smart travel managers or meeting managers, its time to go out and recruit them. Let’s get back to business, let’s get back on the road.

Bill Connors
NBTA, Executive Director & COO
Guest blogger

Posted at 9:25 AM by Bill Connors | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/11/2009

Viva Mexico - NBTA Mexico's 3rd Annual Conference

Many of you may have seen our press release about the success of our 3rd annual conference in Mexico. It was my honor to join our colleagues in NBTA Mexico for this event. More than 230 people from throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and the United States participated in the conference. As you can imagine, the new U.S. administration and its impact on Mexico was a very hot topic. Also at the top of mind is what we are all talking about right now - the economy. It was clear that our colleagues in Mexico are very concerned about the US economy and its impact on Mexico. Mexican travel managers continue to be creative in their approaches to the challenges that they face. It was great to hear the many ideas and I was delighted that the majority of the presenters came from Mexico or the surrounding region. We had the chance to hear from the CEOs of Mexico's two largest airlines: Aeromexico and Mexicana. Their perspectives on the competitive landscape in Mexico as well as the challenges of the global economy were really insightful.

It was nice to have another Board member there - Jim McMullan was able to attend the conference. I couldn't quite convince him to join me at El Caminero, my favorite taqueria just off the Reforma. Maybe next time. I want to thank Rodolfo Macedo, our director in Mexico, and his team that put together a great conference. And thanks as well to the NBTA staff that attended and supported in so many ways.

In spite of the doom and gloom that we read about all day long, this conference was refreshing. I'm glad I was able to be a part of it.

- Michael

Posted at 11:47 AM by Michael Lyons | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/1/2009

The Masters in Washington, D.C.

With all due respect to my fellow Austinite and acquaintance Willie Nelson, I'm glad to be "Off The Road Again" after this latest three-week swing away from home. My last stop was The Masters Program in Washington, D.C., a high-level industry event held in affiliation with NBTA. I would love to say everyone walked away with optimistic thoughts of a not-too-distant economic turnaround, but that simply isn't the case.

There were close to 170 executives and management professionals in attendance...from CEOs, to CFOs, to travel managers of companies large and small. We were all there to hear from top-rated speakers about the state of the travel industry and the economy as a whole. Dave Hilfman from Continental Airlines said it best: "I wish I could tell you when things will be turning around this year. Unfortunately, I can't even tell you what the situation will be next week."

It wasn't all gloom and doom. Everyone agrees the situation will get better. However, we may not be at the bottom of the economic barrel yet. Things within the travel community are very much subject to change. Some companies will vanish; some will be absorbed into strong companies; and, some companies will form partnerships just to survive. Each of us, each of our companies will somehow get through this mess...but, the end-result is an unknown factor.

People often talk about the business or life theory...a glass half full or a glass half empty. I'm just glad to have the darn glass right now.

- Kevin

Posted at 9:53 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Ben Franklin is probably smiling....The London Business Travel Show

London is one of my favorite cities in the world. It has history, it has magnificent buildings, the Queen still rules and it has the London Business Travel Show. I was honored to be asked to address the show this year.

As is the norm in my speaking appearances, I broke from my prepared text and spoke from the heart about the state of the travel industry. The economy in Europe, and the UK in particular, is worse than the situation here in the colonies. There is a silver lining out there, but it is time to bring the importance of managed travel to the forefront. If travel managers fail to maximize their value to a company, there is no one to blame but themselves. As I told the audience, it is time to face the situation head-on, without hesitation. We need to recognize the severity of the situation, the possible effect on business travel, and we need to come up with viable solutions.

Tanya Racz, who coordinates international programs for NBTA now in addition to her duties overseeing NBTA Canada, and Ole Bo Larson, NBTA European Director, also attended the event. Tanya and Ole met with various European-based travel service suppliers, corporate buyers and government officials, spreading the word about NBTA global expansion through partnerships. Partnerships...that's the key here. NBTA teams up with partners around the world, working together to build successful educational and informational programs to serve key markets. That's one important and very positive aspect that makes NBTA different from most other organizations. And, the Europeans appreciate that approach.

Tanya and I also had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting with Lord Dominick Mereworth and Lord John Laird of the British House of Lords. Lord Laird had hosted a reception for NBTA during the 2007 London Think Tank. Unfortunately, due to illness, he was unable to attend that reception and Lord Mereworth filled in as a gracious guest host. I have remained friends with Dominick since that time.

Beginning as a cordial lunch in the private dining area of The House of Lords, it turned into an almost seven-hour meeting to discuss travel issues and concerns. In addition to our hosts, we were joined at the meeting at various times by other members of the House of Lords and visiting members of the British media. Everyone was very interested in how NBTA is addressing travel industry issues and issues involving governmental rules and regulations tied to the travel industry. Tanya and I left knowing three things: NBTA had gained new recognition and respect among the British leadership; there was interest in expanding the working relationship with members of The House of Lords; and we had made several new friends during our visit.

Ben Franklin would have been proud.

- Kevin

Posted at 9:44 PM by Kevin Maguire | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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