Month: February 2019

Categories
Press Release

Christopherson Business Travel Expands Business Development Team

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—Fran Gallegos has joined Christopherson Business Travel as a Business Development Manager. Gallegos brings with her more than 20 years of varied travel industry experience.

“Fran has a wealth of industry knowledge and a unique ability to understand customers’ needs because of the breadth of her experience,” said Kathleen Roberts, Christopherson’s Vice President of Business Development. “Her skill at creating partnerships and developing effective solutions brings value to all parties.”

“It is exciting to join one of the nation’s top 15 travel management companies,” Gallegos said. “Christopherson has a proven history of growth, client retention, innovation, and strong leadership.”

Most recently, Gallegos was Director of Sales & Account Management at Hess Travel. Prior to her time at Hess, she worked in the hospitality sector, including eight years at the Hilton Downtown Salt Lake City.

“Companies are seeking the integrated travel management solutions Christopherson provides.” Gallegos added. “I look forward to sharing that unique value with clients and to being a key player in the growth of our organization.”

About Christopherson Business Travel

Christopherson Business Travel, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is the independently-owned leader in business travel management and digital travel tools. With 480 team members in 40 full-service and on-site locations across the U.S., the company supported $682 million in annual travel bookings in 2018.

Christopherson provides corporate travel services to more than 1,000 companies and organizations. It is both a woman-owned company and an affiliate of BCD Travel, the leading provider of global travel logistics.

 

 

Categories
Business Travel Travel Management

Fly America Act and Travel Management

In this installment of our definition series, we’re diving into the Fly America Act and its importance within travel management. The Fly America Act typically applies to federal travelers, including government contractors, who are working on behalf of the United States. As with most government contractor regulations, the Fly America Act needs to be understood and adhered to specifically. That’s why it’s important to partner with a TMC who specializes with government contractor travel. 

 

The Fly America Act

So what is the Fly America Act and why is it so important?

  • Called 49 U.C. 40118, it is (fortunately) more commonly known as the Fly America Act.
  • It requires federal travelers to use U.S. air carrier service for all air travel and cargo transportation services that is funded by the U.S. government.
  • These air carriers that are included in the Fly America Act are called U.S. flag air carrier.
  • This includes companies not just in the 50 states, but also the District of Columbia, and the territories of the U.S. 
  • To comply with this act, air transportation needs to be performed by or under a code sharing arrangement with a U.S. flag air carrier id service. It is also done if a carrier is available – regardless of cost, convenience, or destination.
  • Tickets must also identify the air carrier’s designator code and flight number. 

 

Are there any exceptions to the Fly America Act?

Yes. And if you can believe it, this is where it gets confusing. There are different exceptions for different circumstances. For instance, travelers flying solely outside the United States have different exceptions than travelers flying between the U.S. and a different country.

Some common exceptions are:

  • If the length of travel will be extended by 24 hours or more.
  • When the costs of transportation will be fully reimbursed by a third-party.
  • If the U.S. carrier does not offer nonstop or direct service between the origin and destination. Of course, there are additional requirements if this case occurs. For example, a U.S. air carrier should be used for every leg of the journey, notwithstanding additional exceptions.
  • When Open Skies Agreement is in place.  The use of a foreign carrier is allowed if the transportation involves the United States, the European Union (E.U.), Australia, Japan, or Switzerland. 

 

See what we mean about complexities involving the Fly America Act? If you are a government contractor, it is imperative that you have a corporate travel management company that can correctly lead you through the complicated world of the Fly America Act. Christopherson is a travel management company with extensive experience in government contractor travel. If you are interested in learning more or have additional questions about the Fly America Act, please contact us today.

 

Categories
Press Release

Christopherson Business Travel Names New CTO

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—Feb. 21, 2019—J.B. Walsh has joined Christopherson Business Travel as the new Chief Technology Officer. Walsh brings with him a 20-year track record of technology leadership and software development expertise.

“Christopherson has an extensive technology roadmap,” said Mike Cameron, CEO of Christopherson. “J.B. has the travel technology experience that will enable us to scale up our software development team and take AirPortal, our industry-leading technology platform, to the next level.”

“There are so many opportunities to innovate at Christopherson,” Walsh said. “Additionally, the company has a proven history of growth with a strong leadership team, strong values, and a clear vision for the future. Technology is an integral part of that vision and I look forward to being a part of developing the tools that will differentiate Christopherson even further.”

Most recently, Walsh was Vice President of Development Delivery Practices at Amadeus IT Group. Prior to Amadeus, he led development teams at Accenture and Navitaire, the latter providing the technology platform that operates more than sixty airlines globally.

“Strong teams are the foundation for any type of success,” Walsh added. “I look forward to building a team and creating an environment in which we can tackle whatever we as a company can dream up.”

About Christopherson Business Travel

Christopherson Business Travel, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is the independently-owned leader in business travel management and digital travel tools. With 480 team members in 40 full-service and on-site locations across the U.S., the company supported $682 million in annual travel bookings in 2018.

Christopherson provides corporate travel services to more than 1,000 companies and organizations. It is both a woman-owned company and an affiliate of BCD Travel, the leading provider of global travel logistics.

Categories
Business Travel Travel Management

2019 Travel Risks You Should Know

Having reliable risk management solutions is crucial for a well-rounded travel program. This is especially true if you are an international company or have travelers flying internationally. Last month, I attended a travel risk seminar presented by International SOS. As leaders in the travel risk field, it focused on latest stats and 2019 travel risks.

Top risks for business travelers in 2019

For good or bad, not a lot is expected to change in 2019 when in comes to travel risks. The risk of dangerous or extreme events is predicted to be about the same as compared to 2018. In fact, perceived risk from business travelers has been on the decline over the past couple of years. This of course, does not mean that hazards have disappeared. Instead, business travelers  may be more accustomed to the risks that they face.

  1. Natural disasters and extreme weather – In 2018, the U.S. faced devastating hurricanes and wildfires. We also saw earthquakes and typhoons shake countries across the globe. While many areas are still recovering, tumultuous weather and extreme storms are expected to continue in 2019 at the same rate.
  2. Epidemic and re-emerging diseases – With our fast news cycles, it’s easy to forget about growing diseases like Zika, Ebola and other infectious diseases found in other countries. Before traveling, be sure to research the diseases found in your destination area and prepare accordingly. 
  3. Terrorism and attacks in low risk destinations – Places we once considered low-threat are seeing increased rates of terrorist attacks, for example the UK and areas in Europe. This is anticipated to continue in 2019.   
  4. Increasing traveler volumes and the rise of global mobility – With lower airline fares and a better economy in the U.S., more people are traveling locally, as well as abroad. This rise in masses has its hand in increasing other risks, like illness, traffic and overcrowding.
  5. Political unrest – Did you know that six countries in South America will have a change in power this year? Shifts in power, like a new political party in office can sometimes lead to political unrest and even protests. It is important to be aware of the cultural and political energy in any area you plan a trip.  

Top ways for companies to stay ahead in 2019

  1. Review and update current travel policies – As technology and communication continues to advance, it’s important that your travel policies and protocols are reflected for the benefit of your travelers.
  2. Improve preparation and training – This goes hand-in-hand with the first bullet point. Understand where your policies may be lacking, but also update your team and provide additional training if needed. As with other security protocols, it’s essential your team knows what to do in case of an emergency.
  3. Expand with enterprise-wide solutions – Depending on the size of your company and the number of travelers, relying on a third-party travel risk management company may be your best option for handling travel emergencies.  
  4. Understand the protocol, should an emergency occur – Just a friendly reminder, some international travelers call their TMCs looking for assistance in the time of crisis. While TMCs provide essential information, it’s important to use it in conjunction with travel risk management companies, like International SOS. They are the emergency procedure experts, and who you want in charge in a dangerous situation. Ensuring your internal staff knows who to call, and under which circumstances, can eliminate hiccups when an emergency occurs.  
Categories
Business Travel

Get Ready, Generation Z Is Coming

Generation Z and business travel

Oh, Millennials. Their need for outlandish experiences, remote work options and avocado toast made a real impact on our work culture and society as a whole. It feels like we’ve finally figured them out, right? I hate to tell you this, but a new wave of young professionals are about to hit your office. Generation Z, the generation following Millennials, will soon be entering the workforce. The oldest of the demographic will be turning 23 this year and graduating from college. Like a proverbial wave to the job market, there are more than 61 million Gen Z individuals in the U.S., who will be making up one-fifth of the workforce by 2021.

Generation Z – who are they?

Born between 1996 and 2010, this is the first group to not remember a time before internet and cell phones. Despite these modern-day luxuries, they watched the U.S. economy, and likely their family, struggle during the Great Recession. They are technologically savvy, as well as hard working. Though they are in some ways similar to Millennials, they hold their own values and belief systems and are eager to show it to the world.

What to expect from them in the workplace

  1. Importance of job security – Growing up in the recession, they likely saw their parents struggle with finances and possibly even job loss. Whereas Millennials may be known for their drive for a purpose or experiences, Generation Z are driven by a stable paycheck and job security. Additionally, one survey found that 35% of the Gen Z participants have already started saving for retirement. Providing great benefits, healthy company culture and a clear path for career development within the company will help this generation feel more secure. 
  2. True digital nomads. Generation Z’s can seamlessly switch to different digital screens without pause. Going from smartphone, to tablet, to laptop; they can multitask and quickly adapt when needed. This innate skill will make them an asset as technology advances and processes are in flux.
  3. More competitive and independent. Gen Z’s like to stand out for their own accomplishments and merits. They value working hard, and enjoy the reward that comes from it. They’ll quickly be looking for opportunities to manage their own projects and teams, and seek out ways to continue learning and honing their skills.

How Generation Z may affect business travel

  1. Expects to be catered to. Though they can be thought of as the “me me me” generation, it’s for a pretty understandable reason. We live in an age when we can research, watch, and buy essentially anything with the swipe of a finger. It will be interesting to see how this generation customizes their air travel or hotel experiences to their accustomed preferences. They’re willing to put in the extra effort to get the perks they know they enjoy.
  2. Prefers communicating face-to-face. Somewhat surprisingly, 53% of Gen Z would rather discuss matters in person, over technology like instant messaging or email. This may impact the amount of additional business travel required in the near future to cater to Gen Z employees or Gen Z partners. 
  3. Will expect more out of your technology. Instant connectivity is a given for Gen Z’s. They are accustomed to instant messages and chat boxes to resolve issues. From a traveler standpoint, they will expect these types of features to resolve their travel problems. From a company point of view, now is the time to reflect on your internal communication and technology systems. Are they intuitive and mobile friendly to your future workforce? Thinking proactively about ways to increase connectivity may help avoid some inevitable hurdles in the next few years.  

Overall, Generation Z is excited to get to work and get things done. Providing a work environment with efficient technology and policies focused on their goals is the best way to start off on the right foot.