GBTA Foundation Survey: Consolidation of Event Programs Leads to Future Success for Travel Managers, Event Planners
Travel, meeting and event program consolidation has grown 62 percent since 2015 according to new research released by the GBTA Foundation, in partnership with Cvent.
If this trend continues at this rate, the gruops noted, two-thirds (68 percent) of programs will be fully consolidated by 2019.
"Organizations can increase efficiencies, reduce redundancies and ultimately save time and money by bringing together travel, events and even marketing programs," said Patrick Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at Cvent. "These programs should work hand in hand with each other, instead of operating in silos. We are seeing more travel and events programs come together at a faster rate than ever before, pointing to growing industry recognition that all of these functions support and reinforce each other and generate better business outcomes."
"Patience is key when it comes to consolidation," said Kate Vasiloff, GBTA Research Director. "Consolidated programs have enjoyed incredible successes, but the benefits may not come immediately. Travel managers and event planners with consolidated programs report greater success now than they did two years ago, making the value of consolidation well worth the time and investment it takes to implement, troubleshoot, and streamline a unified program."
According to a release, the research is the second edition of a survey of travel managers and event planners in North America, aiming to discover what portion of the market includes consolidated programs, what factors drove the move to consolidation, and what successes, if any, companies have experienced as a result. Nearly all respondents with consolidated programs reported great success, more so than two years ago a sign that the full benefits and value of consolidation may not be realized immediately after implementation.
Key findings
Over the past two years, the trend to collapse meetings, events, and/or travel program management has nearly doubled.
-Nearly all (97 percent) of those with fully consolidated programs report great success in achieving their consolidation goals, marking a 14 percent increase in reported success from two years ago.
-Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of meetings, events and/or travel programs are either fully consolidated or in the process of consolidating.
-Since 2015, the proportion of travel managers saying they are currently considering consolidation dropped by nearly one-half (46 percent), with many more adopting consolidation than not.
-When looking at specific consolidation goals, improving transparency (83 percent), leveraging spend/maximizing spending (79 percent) and increasing efficiencies (77 percent) remain the top drivers, with many citing improvements in these areas as significant benefits to consolidation.
Challenges to consolidation are changing
In 2015, securing leadership buy-in for consolidation and using management technology were the greatest challenges for travel managers. A lot has changed in two years, however, as reported challenges to securing leadership support have dropped (47 percent in 2017 versus 56 percent in 2015). This is likely due in part to the growing use of technology, with the number of travel managers using meetings, event, and travel management technology nearly doubling over the same period (60 percent in 2017 versus 34 percent in 2015). Even though more programs are consolidating at a faster rate, nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of travel managers and event planners do not have a consolidated meetings, events, or travel program, with no plans to implement one, while just one in seven (14 percent) are considering consolidation.
Motivations for consolidation
Over the past two years, consolidation has become increasingly attractive to organizations as they begin to recognize its benefits. Seventy-five percent of travel managers and event planners expressed interest in improving visibility and transparency of overall travel, meetings, and event costs via consolidation. Other factors for moving towards consolidation included obtaining better negotiated rates and dynamic pricing (69 percent) which increased 35 percent since 2015 and better leveraging of spend and maximized spending (66 percent).
More Information:
http://www.Cvent.com
http://www.gbta.org/foundation
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
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Alexandra Scarborough
Gilt and Sarah Jessica Parker Unveil SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal Collection for SpringSarah Jessica Parker, in partnership with Gilt, kicked off the exclusive launch of SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal, Gilt’s first foray into bridal ready-to-wear that would have Carrie Bradshaw swooning.
The collection includes dresses, skirts, bodysuits and other pieces, ranging in price from $295 to $2,395 and from sizes 0 to 14.
"Collaborating with Gilt on my first bridal ready-to-wear collection was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Sarah Jessica Parker. "The team there is brilliant and allowed me to be imaginative and take risks as I was designing for the non-traditional bride. It has been quite fun to play around with colors, fabrics and details to create unique pieces for all kinds of brides." The collection, comprised of ten styles, is inspired by Parker's vision of a modern, non-traditional bride, and is designed to dress a woman for a variety of wedding milestone moments; from her bridal shower through her wedding reception. Styles offered are a unique mix of classic dresses and gowns, modern bodysuits, full skirts, and a jumpsuit. The color palette includes traditional bridal white, sleek black, plus pops of blush, poppy, light gray and blue.
Designed in collaboration with Gilt, the collection was produced in New York City utilizing fabrics like cashmere and stretch crepe sourced from Spain, Italy and France.
The pieces all feature carefully curated details like elegant bows, sophisticated cutouts, feathers, intricate embroidery and beautiful hand-stitched beading.
The actress and style icon is no stranger to chic bridal wear. Carrie Badshaw, famously played by Parker, took part in an elaborate bridal photo shoot in Sex and the City: The Movie. The shoot featured gowns from designers like Christian Lacroix and Lanvin. Parker famously wore a black wedding gown for her own wedding to Matthew Broderick in 1997.
"Not only is Sarah Jessica Parker's style known around the world, her point of view is one-of-a-kind," says Tom Ott, Chief Merchant of Gilt. "Sarah Jessica brings her impeccable taste and fashion sensibility to life in this collection. We think our customers will be delighted with the offering which is stylish and well-priced in the bridal category."
As part of the bridal launch, Gilt will also offer 15 exclusive styles from the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker footwear line, each of which are complementary to the bridal collection.
To correspond with the bridal collection launch, Gilt City will present offers from some of Sarah Jessica Parker's favorite places in New York City.
The offers were each chosen as a way to help brides plan for and celebrate the big day with highlights including, Leather Spa, Lars Nord Studio Tailoring, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, among others.
More Information:
http://www.Gilt.com/SJP -
Alexandra Scarborough
Tea Forté Introduces ‘Matcha’ CollectionConvenience meets tradition in Tea Forté’s new Ceremonial Matcha Bowl Set and the Matcha Single Steeps.
The company said its spring harvested, shade grown, stone ground, organic matcha tea is best served in a centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu: a preparation technique known for its centering meditative qualities.
"The launch of Tea Forté's Matcha collection represents our continued commitment to wellness and cultivating all the potential mental and physical health benefits of tea," says Tea Forté CEO Michael Gebrael. "In addition to our high quality Pure Matcha, we've also blended four distinct flavored Matcha varieties. Prepackaged in pouches measured out for a single serving, our Single Steeps Matcha is ideal for the office, travel, or to keep with you for a boost anytime."
Tea Forté noted its handcrafted ceremonial tea bowl, handmade bamboo whisk and measuring ladle “encourages serene enjoyment of our premium Kosher, gluten-free and vegan matcha blends.” These include: Pure Matcha, Chocolate Matcha, Coconut Matcha, Ginger Matcha, and Chai Matcha.
According to a release, in addition to its distinctive taste, matcha is prized for its health benefits. Steeped green tea contains only the antioxidants that can be extracted in water, while with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed.
Available now in select stores and online at teaforte.com.
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Expedia.com has released a year-end look at U.S. traveler behavior and trends for 2017, analyzing data to identify the most in-demand destinations, hotels, activities and more.
Among other insights, the roundup revealed:
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- Disney Theme Parks topped the list of things to do
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