EVENT REVIEW
T H E
B U S I N E S S
T R A V E L
C O N F E R E N C E
2 0 2 1
VIEW FROM THE TOp: WHERE ARE WE NOW? SimOne BuCkley, vP marketing emea tripactions: "Pricing is going to be very dynamic for a while but don’t lose site of the data you used to look at. At some point we'll get back to the time when we’re talking with suppliers and negotiating deals again so keep your eye on that."
The Business Travel Conference 2021 SeniOr leaders in business travel shared their expertise and insights with travel managers at The Business Travel Conference 2021 in September, one of the industry's first in-person events since the end of pandemic restrictions. Under the theme 'Reconnect, Reset, Restart', a programme of lively, engaging and interactive sessions covered key topics such as travel risk and duty of care, wellbeing, sustainability and the new role of the travel buyer, all designed to help corporates navigate the new world. Delegates also met with supplier exhibitors and there was plenty of time for networking at the two-day event, which took place at the London Hilton Bankside. Here are some of the key takeaways from the conference sessions. For more see thebusinesstravelmag.com.
JameS ParkHOuSe, CeO agiito: "Everything feels sticky and clunky and it's going to feel that way for a while yet. People haven’t travelled for 18 months and they think it will
be like it was in January 2020, but it’s not. Travel buyers must help manage expectations. Generally people are a lot more supportive if their expectations are managed." david BiSHOP, CCO Gray dawes: "We’re seeing the average transaction take five times longer. That’s the time it takes us to navigate through all the rules. With our suppliers we’re seeing real pinch points, with airlines overselling to fill up their planes, which causes huge challenges."
[ SPECIAL THANkS TO OUR SPONSORS ] Headline sponsor: Blue Cube Travel
Keynote speaker, MP Stephen Hammond, told delegates he understood the travel industry's frustrations over the crisis handling and urged the sector to keep lobbying their local MPs and to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Business Travel, of which he is chairman. 36
Executive sponsors: TAG, All Nippon Airways and South Western Railway
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.com
TBTC_v10.indd 36
11/5/21 11:27 AM
