Inside Travel and Transport

The Perfect Trip: a Recap of Concur Fusion 2012

2012-05-23T19:52:59Z

Concur staff, clients, and partners descended upon Orlando May 8-11, 2012, for the annual Concur Fusion conference to explore trends and cutting-edge developments in travel technology. Representatives from Travel and Transport were among the 1,600 travel industry professionals (a record number of attendees), making Concur Fusion the second largest U.S. travel conference behind the annual GBTA convention.

Concur Fusion offered a great variety of sessions, but several key themes emerged, including integrating cloud technology and continued evolution of mobile technology for both Concur Travel and Concur Expense. Intended to create a true traveler-centric experience, this integration involves offering customers the opportunity to book and track expenses for GOGO inflight Internet while traveling. Furthermore, Concur Fusion cast a vision of “The Perfect Trip” – a business trip simplified and streamlined thanks to customer-centered technology. This video shows what this “Perfect Trip” might look like.

Beyond technological advancements, the conference also centered on several cornerstones of the travel industry, including service and account management. Sessions focused on methods for heightening organizational dedication to service, including implementing staff bonuses based on service and creating additional service-related positions.

Additionally, presenters stressed the value of bringing “unmanaged” travel back into the managed travel program. Concur estimates that 55% of hotel bookings are still not consolidated within a managed program. To combat this statistic, Concur plans to offer travelers the option of adding bookings outside of a managed travel program to TripIt. These reservations can then be tracked in Concur Expense, making reporting data available. Companies considering this solution would need to weigh the cost of the technology versus the potential benefits of tracking the unmanaged reservations.

Travel and Transport has a deep, long-standing partnership with Concur, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate in order to offer the best customer-focused technology and services. If you attended Concur Fusion 2012, we would love to hear about your experience!

This is the third year that Travel and Transport has recapped Concur Fusion on our blog. Read about the 2010 and 2011 events.

Create a Memory - Experiences in Tahiti

2012-05-21T13:14:55Z

Officially known as the French Polynesian islands, Tahiti and her 120 islands are speckled over the eastern Southern Pacific. The islands span over 1.5 million square miles. Nothing compares to the exotic blend of two cultures: Polynesian warmth and French chic. The landscape will melt your heart with the breathtaking views and romantic settings. These islands offer an intoxicating array of resort experiences, enchanting new islands to explore, adventure sports, nature, and of course -the famous black pearls.

In the islands of Tahiti you will be surrounded by majestic mountains, aquamarine waters, sugary beaches and dramatic sunsets. It’s no wonder they are often called the “islands of romance” – the lush scenery and available adventures are ideal for rejuvenating. Tahiti is known as a wonderful paradise with a wide range of adventures to embrace; diving and snorkeling in waterfalls, canoeing and hiking, four wheeling across the valleys!

Janine Magnuson and Barb Weigel of Travel and Transport Vacations recently visited the islands for a learning seminar and were charmed by the some of the friendliest people on earth. French is the national language, which is romantic in itself! They toured many hotels and especially loved the over-the-water bungalows. The ride to Moorea was 30 minutes and the tour of Moorea was one of the highlights of the trip. They witnessed Tahitian food preparation in a cultural experience course, along with tattooing, sarong making and dancing. Visiting Bora Bora is another part of a trip to Tahiti not to be missed. Janine was even able to go to the world famous restaurant Bloody Mary’s!

Shopping for a black pearl was another enjoyable experience. They learned about quality, color and pricing before settling on their perfect pearls which were set in to necklaces. The water bungalows are also unique to this area and the fun was not lost on our agents. They stayed at Le Meridien Bora Bora which has a turtle sanctuary. They even photographed sting rays below their double glass floor! Boats provide service from the airport to the hotel as well as to the restaurants and shops. Even flying on Air Tahiti Nui flights provided a lovely French Polynesian touch with free meals and champagne, movies and a Tahitian flower presented at the beginning of the flight!

If Tahiti is a destination you have been thinking about, now is the time to put that thought in motion!

See some great photos of this trip on the Travel and Transport Vacations - Ames, Iowa Facebook page.

Whitepaper: Optimizing Global Travel Data

2012-05-01T15:33:13Z

Travel and Transport is excited to offer our latest whitepaper, developed in conjunction with the BTN Group entitled Optimizing Global Travel Data.

In an increasingly globalized economy in which businesses are
continuously driving down costs and increasing productivity, it stands to reason that an increasing number of travel managers have globalized their travel programs—or will soon be on that path. When managed successfully, globalized travel programs offer a number of benefits.

Fill out my Wufoo form!

Making the Connection: Travel and Transport’s Growth and Success as a Traveler-Centric, Service-Focused Company

2012-04-25T14:29:25Z

Chicago: Site of Travel and Transport's 2012 Corporate Conference. Photo used under CC License by anneh632 (Flickr) Last week over 100 Travel and Transport managers and executives ventured to the Windy City to attended our annual Corporate Conference. With 13 first time attendees at the conference the adrenaline and excitement could be felt in the air. Everyone was eager to network, bond as a team and hear what our future holds as a Travel and Transport employee owner.

The theme of the conference was ‘Making the Connection’. Our President and CEO, Bill Tech explained to the group that the conference was designed to help us all focus on creating new ways of working together, cross mingling our talents and sharing our knowledge base with our fellow employee owners. He said, “We are a team. Focusing, collaborating and creating together will make us a stronger, better company.” By the smiles in the room you could tell that we were all ready to connect!

In Bill’s opening remarks regarding his vision for the company, he emphasized that we will continue to grow our company and we anticipate seeing Travel and Transport grow 2-3 times our current size within the next 5 years. As we currently sit at over $50 million in new business in 2012, Bill was excited to announce the posting of 10 new job openings in our Sales, Account Management and Operations departments as well as additions to our agent team to support our tremendous sales efforts. Beyond internal growth, we will continue to look for acquisition opportunities. Bill was quick to point out however, that our unique culture is not one that can be replicated in the market place and we will make sure that any acquisition we make is one that is strategic and that makes good sense for our entire company.

Bill also spoke of our technology offerings and explained to the group that we must maintain our belief in creating proprietary solutions while at the same time working with 3rd party providers to strengthen our offerings. This strategy will allow us to become more of a traveler-centric company; one that provides options to travelers so that they feel empowered in their travel decisions yet allows for travel managers or procurement teams to keep a firm control on the overall travel program.

Bill emphasized our continued dedication to our global solution. Our partnership with RADIUS will continue to grow and thrive as we work together to create solutions and integrate data in a way that is truly beneficial to our clients. These solutions will be customized for those just embarking on a multinational program or created for those that have a mature global program in place.

Most importantly Bill emphasized that we must continue to focus on what has become our company's mantra – that customer service must remain at the forefront of all of our minds. All of our employee-owners must continue to understand that this strength is one that needs to be constantly nurtured. We will continue to differentiate ourselves in the market with our focus on quick response times and follow-up that is meaningful to our clients. We cannot lose focus on this foundation from which our company was built.

The week was jam packed with amazing presentations by our internal departments as well as a day-long procurement seminar presented by Will Tate, Senior Vice President, Management Alternatives. Though many may have been skeptical to read our agenda and see an 8-hour session on procurement, the comments that were revealed after the seminar were very powerful. Many great takeaways were conjured up during this session with action plans being created in our team meetings.

It is always inspiring to have time with fellow colleagues to focus on how we can all connect to become better and create new ways of doing things. Keep your eyes open for many new initiatives from Travel and Transport that truly show how we are making the connection.

What You Need to Know About Atlanta's New International Terminal

2012-04-19T13:46:09Z

In less than a month, travelers traveling to, from, and through Atlanta will soon realize the convenience of the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This new terminal, which is being called Atlanta's "New Front Door to the World", includes 12 gates on the new Concourse F that will serve as a gateway for those leaving the US to 80 different destinations in 50 countries. It will also connect those flying into the US with over 150 US cities. All carriers operating international routes at Hartsfield-Jackson will use this new terminal. The new concourse also incorporates the airport’s commitment to sustainability. The terminal features recycled materials, carbon footprint reduction, water reclamation, and many other “green” efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the airport to the surrounding areas.

“The new terminal will allow those who are deplaning on the return to leave the international terminal and jump in a car and go, instead of riding the train with 5 stops before baggage claim where they have to reclaim their bags,” said Dorrie Green, Director of Operations for Travel and Transport’s Atlanta office. “The added capacity will help the region to continue to grow into the global marketplace that we are now a part of.”

How to Get There:

Travelers departing from ATL for international flights will access the International terminal via Interstate 75, Exit 239 (different entrance than Domestic flights)
Travelers departing ATL for domestic flights will access the Domestic terminal from Interstate 85, Exit 72
Nonstop international flights check in at international terminal. International flights routing through another US city check in at domestic terminals.
Shuttle service between international terminal and domestic terminals.

Checking Your Bags:

No need to recheck bags on Atlanta international flights
8 security checkpoint lanes
New US Customs and Border Protection facility

Getting Around the Airport:

The Plane Train (people mover) has been extended to Concourse F – connecting it to all terminals.
Free designated shuttle to rental car center
Hourly, Gold Reserve, and Park-Ride parking options available

For more information on the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, please visit the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport website.

UPDATE: APRIL 25, 2012:
Travel and Transport Account Representative Debbie Michel had the opportunity to visit the new terminal last week and provided the following first-hand comments on the new terminal. Thanks Debbie!:

I toured the new Concourse F on Friday! It is beautiful, easy to walk through, well thought out, plenty of charging stations, showers and LOTS of light. Concourse F is self-contained with baggage, customs, and passenger parking onsite. The challenge will be that ATL will continue to operate international flights in Concourse E also so they still will need to shuttle/people move between E and F (about 12 minutes). For Atlanta based travelers they will find it difficult to use offsite parking until those lots get permission to drop and pickup travelers. F is accessed on I-75 and not I-85 like the Main Terminal. I also saw the new Delta Sky Club. It is beautiful, newest design with again lots of light, no meeting rooms, space for eating and showers. International travelers connecting through Atlanta with longer layovers will find it worthwhile to have access to the club which is located in the middle of Concourse F. Delta is communicating to SkyMiles travelers that they will notify them of which Concourse their flight will be assigned. Our travelers should find smooth sailing (carpeted floor) through customs with lots of kiosks for Trusted Traveler. If Customs wants to get up close and personal there is a holding cell in the back along with the “beagles”. Concourse F will most assuredly relieve the traffic at the Main Terminal and the trains running from A to E Concourses. In Atlanta we are happy to have this new addition.

5 Tips for Traveling with your Family

2012-04-17T14:07:27Z

Does it make your head hurt just thinking about planning a family vacation? Where do you start and what direction should you take? Here are some things to consider:

1. Kids stay free at many all-inclusive resorts.

Since most of your meals, drinks, snacks and activities are included, this is a great way to save money on a family vacation. At all-inclusive resorts, non-motorized sport activities are usually also included, along with different dining experiences and nightly entertainment.

2. Find a hotel that accommodates 5 or more people.

Some hotels and resorts offer suites which can accommodate the number in your family. Paying for one larger room might be much more affordable than paying for multiple smaller rooms. Another option: adjoining rooms, to give the family plenty of space and bathrooms while still connected!

3. Look for Kids and Teens Clubs.

A hotel with family-friendly amenities like kids’ and teens’ clubs, or specially designated kids’ pools are popular. This offers the opportunity to go your own way during the day and reconnect later on. Some resorts offer supervised play areas and complimentary babysitting, along with toys to check out.

4. Choose a destination with lots of activities

Each day can bring something new and exciting when on vacation. From exploring the surrounding area around your hotel, to swimming at a pool or the beach, be sure there are plenty of things to do. Some resorts feature waterparks, discos for teens, nature trails, art classes, and the like.

5. Try something new as a family

Experience something you have never done together before! Watersports like snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, biking trips, or attending a sporting event of the local team - the possibilities are endless.

Whatever you choose to do, everyone in the family will be sure to remember it for a lifetime. So go ahead, create great memories for that family scrapbook. If you need help coming up with some great family vacation ideas, our Travel and Transport Vacations team would love to help.

6 Big Reasons to Replace your Laptop with the new iPad

2012-04-05T15:16:35Z

Last year, I bought the iPad 2 and provided my thoughts on some essential mobile apps for attending conferences and trade shows. About a month ago I followed Apple's announcement of the new iPad and did something I've never done before. I pre-ordered my new iPad immediately and received it on the day of its release. Typically when you make an impulse purchase like that, some buyer's remorse occurs. Determined to not let that happen, I set out looking for new uses and applications for my new iPad that would make my purchase worthwhile. In three weeks I have gone from a 40:60 iPad to laptop usage ratio to an approximately 90:10 ratio. If you're a traveler, that may be a high enough ratio to justify leaving your laptop on your desk and only taking your iPad on your next trip. How did I do make the transition? Here are 6 ways:

1. Use that Retina Display
If you have seen any of the hype around the new iPad, you have undoubtedly heard about the "Resolutionary" (to use Apple's word) Retina Display. It has been around on the iPhone (and subsequently on many competing smartphones) for over a year now, but this marks the first appearance on a device the size of an iPad. What does that mean? That means that the pixels that make up the image on the new iPad's screen are so close together that visuals on the screen are essentially indiscernible from real life to the human eye. It also means that the display on your iPad is likely a higher resolution that that 27" monitor that sits on your desk - or on your 1080P HDTV, for that matter. Where is this noticeable? I was surprised to see that, not only is the new iPad display beautiful for apps that have been designed for it, but it also makes apps that were created at lower resolutions look better. Even iPhone apps at 2X, which used to look jagged and awkward on the iPad 2, are now smooth and crisp. Where does this clarity come in especially handy? Try the Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks apps. Try reading a long document or working in a spreadsheet. Reading, writing or editing text is where the much hyped Retina Display is most powerful, and that makes the new iPad infinitely more usable than previous models.

2. Skitch
Editing a Google Map in Skitch for iPadIf you are a Mac user, you may know about Skitch. Skitch is an application for taking screenshots and then being able to mark them up with notes, comments, circles, underlines, etc. It is extraordinarily useful on the Mac but now they have made the app available on the iPad (as well as iPhone and Android devices). Imagine being able to take a screenshot of a web page, or a picture, or a presentation and then being able to circle or highlight something on the screen with your finger. You can also mark up a blank page, a Google Map, or even a photo that you have taken on your device. You can then save the annotated screenshot as a picture to your iPad or you can email or Tweet it directly from Skitch. You can also save your mark-ups directly to your Evernote account for easy reference later (Skitch was acquired by Evernote in 2011). Here is perhaps the most exciting and useful feature of Skitch if you have an Apple TV. Skitch's AirPlay integration means that you can use your iPad to send real-time drawings from Skitch onto a large HD screen. Instant digital whiteboard. Skitch is a free app.

3. Voice Dictation
One of the biggest barriers to making the iPad a PC replacement is the on-screen keyboard. The keyboard is good, but it takes up half of the screen and typing speed for most people is considerably lower than on a traditional keyboard. There are a number of good bluetooth keyboards on the market that make a great accessory for the iPad. I have this model, but carrying an extra keyboard around can be inconvenient. Voice may be the answer. On the new iPad, Apple did not integrate Siri like they did on the iPhone 4S. However, they did integrate the voice dictation component, and it really is very good. I have been using the voice system for the past few weeks with excellent results. You may not want to use voice to create your next novel or to write a business proposal, but for composing a letter, sending an email or posting on a social media site, dictation is an excellent solution.

4. Video Conferencing
Everyone who has an iPad or iPhone is aware of Apple's Facetime product and most people have used Skype on either their mobile or desktop device. Those apps are primarily aimed at consumers, but did you know that all of the leading videoconferencing services also have free apps for the iPad? Services like Cisco WebEx, GoToMeeting and Fuze not only allow you to join and view meetings, but also to participate via voice and video. If you are using the video features I would recommend an adjustable stand or tripod mount - the iPad gets a little heavy after a few minutes of holding it steadily.

5. Microsoft Office on your iPad
For many Windows users, Apple's iWork office suite doesn't quite cut it when trying to collaborate with Windows/Office users. Although rumors abound, Microsoft has yet to release a version of their Office suite for the iPad. That doesn't mean you have to live without it. There are now a couple of apps that allow you to create, edit and store Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents in the cloud. CloudOn is a free app that gives you access to the full desktop version of Office and lets you save files to CloudOn's system or store them on Dropbox (another useful app for iPad, by the way) so you can easily retrieve them from your PC or share them with others. OnLive Desktop is another app that allows you to do the same thing, but actually provides you with a Windows 7 desktop experience - essentially allowing you to run Windows 7 on your iPad. You can access applications like Office, Adobe Reader and more. There is a free version and a $4.99 per month version that has Dropbox integration and allows you to browse Flash web content. The main drawback to these apps is that you have to be connected to the internet to use them - so if you're on a plane and need to work on an Excel spreadsheet, you're going to have to spring for the in-flight WiFi. Until Microsoft gets a dedicated Office app on the market, these services are a good solution.

6. Forget about PowerPoint
The iPad can be a powerful device for delivering presentations, but as mentioned above, there is no PowerPoint app for iPad. You could use Apple's Keynote, or there are any number of PowerPoint viewer apps on the market that you could use. I would like to recommend something else. Forget PowerPoint and move your presentations to the cloud. SlideRocket is a fully featured presentation editor with tools similar to those found in PowerPoint or Keynote. You can even import your PowerPoint decks into the system and edit them online. From there you can share presentations online or you can use the free iPad app to download your presentation and deliver them offline. You can share and collaborate on presentations, slides, themes and content between members of your team. The system allows you to import your own multimedia/video content or you can embed videos from YouTube directly into the presentation. There is a free version of SlideRocket but the more powerful professional version will cost you $24 per user per month. The iPad and mobile apps are free. It's a great way to make use of that iPad investment and this app really solves the PowerPoint problem.

I didn't even bring up the 4G data and hotspot capabilities, or iCloud integration, or the new photo and video applications that take advantage of the much improved camera, including the brand new iPhoto app, Adobe's Photoshop Touch and Avid Studio, but there are countless examples in many categories that make the new iPad the first real device to credibly usher in the "post-PC era". What do you think? Could you leave your laptop at home and travel with only your iPad? What apps and tools do you make use of? Let us know.

The Magic of a Disney Cruise

2012-03-28T15:40:53Z

How much more Magic could you put in a Disney Vacation if it included a Disney Cruise? The answer is - LOTS!

It starts the moment you step aboard one of the majestic ships in the Disney Line– between the music and wonder all around, you will feel yourself being caught up in the Magic surrounding you. A Disney Cruise is an experience that is hard to imagine unless you have experienced it firsthand.

Tina Woods from the Urbandale, Iowa office of Travel and Transport Vacations did just that when she and her family were invited to cruise on the Disney Dream during its inaugural year.

Her children were thrilled with the water coaster at sea along with Disney’s Oceaneer Club, where they were transported to dream destinations which inspired their imaginations. But the Magic continued.

Their family enjoyed exclusive Disney entertainment on board, savored wonderful food and enjoyed Goofy’s Sports Deck which has a crazy nine hole miniature golf course. At the ports of call they toured the magical island of Castaway Cay.

Disney Cruise itineraries are full of opportunities to stay busy or just kick back and relax! Kids can be off in a wonderland of their own while adults relax at an adult only restaurant or pool, a spa treatment or stylish night club.

They experienced world famous Disney Service at its best. Characters abounded on the ship and they posed for many a photo! Their favorite dining experiences were the casual ones, although her son and daughter had fun dressing up for a formal dinner.

The Magic didn’t end there. They included a 4 night stay at the Saratoga Springs Tree House Suites from which they visited Disney World Parks. Combining a stay in Disney with a 3 or 4 night cruise is the best way to add magic and excitement to an enchanting vacation!

View more pictures from Tina Woods' magical trip on our Facebook Page.

Tips for Handling Emergencies on your next International Trip

2012-03-23T16:57:45Z

Usually preparing for a business or leisure trip abroad entails doing some shopping, ironing out an itinerary, and making sure your passport hasn’t expired. But how do we prepare in terms of safety and protecting ourselves? Few of us imagine that trip turning into a tangled nightmare of stolen documents or credit cards, or even worse. If the unthinkable were to happen to you during your next trip abroad, would you know what to do?

In the U.S., it’s a no-brainer: dial 911. However, few of us know what corresponding numbers exist in our destination countries, but in many cases such numbers are available. In European Union countries, dial 112, a toll-free number that can be reached from any cell phone, landline or payphone and connects you to an operator who speaks the local language and English. Much like 911, 112 enables you to quickly reach police, fire and ambulance services.

However, it is key to know such numbers ahead of time. Research indicates that only about a quarter of citizens in the European Union are able to identify 112 as the go-to emergency number. This lack of familiarity is so widespread that the EU started “112 Day” on February 11 to raise awareness. Emergencies become more complicated if locals don’t know emergency numbers (or you don’t speak their language)!

For travel in other parts of the world, get prepared by checking the U.S. Department of State website to identify the emergency number(s) in the countries you'll be visiting. The numbers vary greatly; for some countries, the number depends on the type of emergency service you’re seeking. The U.S. Department of State website also lists current travel threats and also emergency after-hours telephone phone numbers for local U.S. embassies. These numbers are key in replacing a stolen passport.

Though these unexpected trials happen, ideally it is preferable to avoid them the first place. Here are some quick tips to help you be prepared and avoid headaches:

Do Your Homework

The U.S Department of State recommends researching the country you’re visiting before you go, including its customs and laws. Some cultural norms aren’t so obvious. For example, in Mexico City, tourists should avoid taxis on the street due to insecurity, but rather seek established taxi kiosks that have more accountability. Some similar suggestions are available on the U.S. Department of State website. To find learn more helpful advice, read guidebooks, visit with your Travel and Transport representative, or contact the embassy in the country you plan to visit.

Don’t Stand Out

It’s best to blend in as much as possible. Leave the fancy jewelry, extra tech gadgets and extra credit cards at home. For the valuables and important documents you must bring along, leave them in the hotel safe when you’re not using them. That way if you’re mugged you will still be able to get home! Plan hidden places to conceal your money, such as an inside pocket, or even distribute your money in several different pockets.

Keep Copies and Keep People in the Loop

Do you know your passport number or credit card numbers by heart? Didn’t think so! In the event of a worst-case scenario, copies are a lifesaver. Keep a color copy of these documents in your luggage and leave a copy with someone you trust at home. If you’re traveling for business, stick to your itinerary and let your travel manager know if anything changes.

Contact Your Travel Management Company

One of the many values of a travel agent for either business or leisure travel is that you always have someone to reach out to should something go wrong. For instance, in addition to the 24/7 service that Travel and Transport is able to provide to international travelers from the US, we also have local in-country support from our partner agencies in RADIUS that are ready to assist you with anything from emergency travel bookings to helping you locate the nearest embassy or consulate.

Though we cannot control all dangerous factors while traveling abroad, it’s our responsibility to be prepared and know whom to call when we need help. What other tips do you have for handling emergencies while traveling internationally?

PhoCusWright's U.S. Business Traveler: Managed, Unmanaged and Rogue

2012-03-09T18:00:30Z

Travel and Transport is excited to be a sponsor of PhoCusWright's U.S. Business Traveler: Managed, Unmanaged and Rogue publication.

PhoCusWright's U.S. Business Traveler: Managed, Unmanaged and Rogue helps travel companies gain holistic perspective from the range of business travelers in the U.S., including both those who are managed by a corporate travel policy and those who are not. Unmanaged business travelers represent tremendous opportunity and command billions of travel dollars – but they can be elusive targets. And with unprecedented marketplace transparency and robust travel planning tools available to all, there are more enticements than ever for managed travelers to go rogue. This in-depth study of business travelers explores these issues and more, uncovering key trends impacting the business travel marketplace.

Report topics include:

Differences among managed (compliant and non-compliant) and unmanaged travelers

General travel behaviors, including number of trips, expenditure and travel products purchased

Purpose of trips and the impact of virtual meeting technology by trip purpose

Travel policy reach, policy elements and structure

Managed travel compliance factors and drivers of rogue behavior

The travel planning process, with detailed analysis of shopping and booking channels

Purchase PhoCusWright's U.S. Business Traveler: Managed, Unmanaged and Rogue to gain rich, actionable insights into how best to serve the needs and wants of unmanaged and managed business travelers.

You can purchase this valuable and in-depth publication on the PhoCusWright web site.