T&E Plus

Getting Work Done in Hotels

Dancing around in my head and transforming into usable content, my ideas gravitate into the ends of my finger, inside the Lenovo computer and onto the glaring screen.  Whether the carpet is worn or otherwise new, the bed so comfy or coffee brews, the large desk with visible plugs and without bedbugs, I eagerly enter the temporary sanctuary and anxiously await for the steady hum of my computer. With minimal noise and robust connectivity, a hotel room offers one of my favorite work environments.   It is true; I love working in a hotel room without any distractions.  A gorgeous window view feeds my creativity and keeps me moving because I know that as soon as the work is finished, I can enjoy the location.  Most recently, my work sanctuary was the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa; a perfect setting and great session for EMC Venues.

In a recent interview on “How to Write,” Maya Angelou said, “I keep a hotel room in my town, although I have a large house. And I go there at about 5:30 in the morning, and I start working. And I don't allow anybody to come in that room. I work on yellow pads and with ballpoint pens. I keep a Bible, a thesaurus, a dictionary, and a bottle of sherry. I stay there until midday. About once a month, the management slips a note under my door and they ask, 'Please, Dr. Angelou, may we change the sheets? We know they must be moldy.' But I've never slept there. I just go in and sit down and work.” http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Write-a-Poem-Maya-Angelous-Advice

Another person studying for an intense computer security test said, “One of my most productive study times was sitting in a hotel room in Frankfurt, Germany.  Although I would rather have spent my weekends touring the sites of southern Germany, instead, I read books and articles on Information System Security.”

Another blogger writes, “If I had to rate where I am the most productive, it’s in a hotel room.  Most of the time, this is because I am overseas and awake in the middle of the night.” 

Where are YOU most productive?

Contributing to my productivity, Tony Robbins subliminal music keeps me focused as I shared with Barbara Scofidio in this month’s Post Con. http://meetingsnet.com/corporatemeetingsincentives/news/post_con_scholar0223/index.html

Hope to see you at one of my upcoming speaking engagements.  I just finished two engagements this past week but added another speaking engagement (Meetings Tech Expo) and have numerous education sessions which are not on the schedule below yet.  Last week we had two winning groups in the SMM Challenge© and everyone appreciated the new SMM Idea Template and Canvas©.  In addition, I announced the pre-release of my SMM Quick Reference Guide. Stay tuned for more information on where to find it.

 
 

Visit Debi at one of her upcoming speaking engagements:
Topics vary per conference
Some sessions include components of SMM Bootcamp^© and/or SMM Challenge^© 

March 17 – MPI SCC Educational Tradeshow and Conference
March 18 – EMC Venue’s Annual Buyer Supplier Summit – SMM Bootcamp^©
March 31 – ISM’s Conference on Managing in Times of Uncertainty
April 10-12 – ACTE Global Education Conference
May 20 – MPI Orange County’s 6^th Annual Education Conference and Expo
May 25 – Meetings Technology Expo (early morning)
May 25 – Financial and Insurance Meeting Planners Conference (late morning)
June 30 – EMC Venue’s MEET
August 2 – Georgia BTA
Sept 7 – HSMAI Affordable Meetings
December 1 – EMC Venue’s MEET

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

Debi Scholar, GLP, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT, Six Sigma Green Belt

• Meetings Management Mover and Shaker as selected by Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine (2010)
• Top 20 Changemaker who influenced the meetings management industry by Corporate Meetings and Incentives (2008)
• Best Meeting Practitioner as selected by Business Travel News (2007)

The Scholar Consulting Group LLC
debi@debischolar.com
908-304-4954
Benchmark your Strategic Meetings Management Program:  http://www.smmbenchmark.com

Debi has the following designations:

• Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)
• Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)
• Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

Travel Agencies find Benefits in Offering Meeting and Event Services

Thousands of travel agencies (leisure and business) scattered all over the world offer travel services but are reluctant to provide groups/meetings service offerings to their clients.   As such, these agencies are missing out on revenue opportunities.  Recently, I spoke with Travel Market Report on the benefits that agencies may experience by offering meeting and event services.

Travel agencies can increase revenue, expand business relationships and improve service by offering meetings, events and incentives to their travel service offerings.  Meetings forge new relationships in an organization. When an agency provides meeting services, it may lead to other prospective business such as helping the organization write a meeting policy, creating a crisis management plan, calculating carbon emissions or instituting virtual meetings.  By adding these services to their catalogue of expertise, an agency can penetrate new business from existing, loyal clients.

 

To read more, go to Travel Market Report, Meetings and Incentives.

http://www.travelmarketreport.com/meetings?articleID=3911&LP=1

 

 

Debi Scholar, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT

 

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation plus more...

 

Follow me on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/debi001or at LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

 

Debi has the following designations:

·     Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

·     Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

·     Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

·     NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

·     Six Sigma Green Belt

·     Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

 

Debi was selected as:

·     Meetings Management  Mover and Shaker by Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine (2010)

·     Top 20 Changemaker who influenced the meetings management industry by Corporate Meetings and Incentives (2008)

·     Best Meeting Practitioner by Business Travel News (2007)

Find the lowest hotel rates for your transient and group travelers

As the meeting volume increases and we move into hotel RFP season, organizations are looking for ways to ensure that they are receiving the lowest hotel room rates.  Whether static or dynamic rates are used, many organizations want to know the lowest published hotel rate and some organizations use contracts that require the lowest rate be charged to the traveler.  Even some meetings use the lowest transient rate.  In today’s economy, organizations place a high value on knowing that they’re charged the best hotel rate. With technology advancements, gone are the days of searching through every travel website to “check” for lower rates – a task that every travel manager has done in the office, back room or at home. 

 

Recently, a client said to me, “I feel as if I’m always being “taken” on hotel rates. How do I know if I’m getting the lowest rate? Why do web rates always seem to be lower?”   To assist my client, I decided to test RateTiger’s real time technology (RTCorp) which compares the contracted rates with real time posted web rates.  My client agreed to provide a sampling of their contracted rates to RateTiger for comparison purposes. 

 

As a result, some of the client’s hotel rates were 12%-23% higher than the web rates posted.  Recognizing that my client also negotiates free high speed Internet access (“HSIA”) and that the negotiated amenities and savings should be taken into consideration during a comparison, the hotel web rates were still 6%-15% lower than the client’s contracted rates.

 

The benefit of using RTCorp by RateTiger is that the tool benchmarks your contracted hotel rates real-time against the lowest published rates on the web providing you with a tool to confront your suppliers with solid research when these published rates are lower than your contracted rates. This type of benchmarking is valuable, not only during hotel RFP season, but also ongoing for the duration of your contracts with your hotels and can be used pre-trip, or pre-meeting, so that the adjusted rates can be requested from the hotel.

 

Debi Scholar, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT

 

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation plus more...

 

Follow me on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/debi001or at LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

 

Debi has the following designations:

·     Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

·     Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

·     Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

·     NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

·     Six Sigma Green Belt

·     Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

Debi was selected as:

• Meetings Management  Mover and Shaker by Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine (2010)
• Top 20 Changemaker who influenced the meetings management industry by Corporate Meetings and Incentives (2008)
• Best Meeting Practitioner by Business Travel News (2007)

Are Business Travel and Meetings commodity purchases?

Putting the term “commodity” in the same sentence as travel and meetings is like adding Lady Gaga as an inductee to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame; you either agree or disagree with the parallelism but there is no denying that it is the big elephant in the room.

Do you believe that business travel, meetings and events are commodities?  The term caused us to stir in our seats while participating in an NBTA/StarCite sponsored meeting yesterday.

“It is the right term…A commodity is something that we purchase. And, we purchase services from meeting suppliers” one industry leader said.

“But, the word is used in manufacturing and in commodity markets” another industry leader chimed in.  “Are travel and meeting services considered commodities?”

“We will ruffle feathers if we use the word “commodity“ and do we really want to stir up controversy?” one industry leader said with a guarded perspective.

“OK, let’s find a different word.” and it was settled.

With impeccable timing, yesterday came a report that states Air France’s boss says Travel is Not a Commodity based on the quality of product and services it provides.  Is there a rule that states commodities cannot be purchased using quality ratings? 

Another much older article about industry commoditization claims, “It [travel] is sometimes not a commodity because it will need a collaborative process across various departments to set it up."    If key stakeholders collaborate and develop criteria that will be used to purchase travel and meeting services, does this restrict us from using the word, “Commodity?”

According to Merriam-Webster, one of the meanings of Commodity is “an economic good or service.”   Call me a geek who loves business books, but in “The Procurement and Supply Manager’s Desk Reference,” on page 355, it states, “Commodity Strategies:  Categorizing purchases by their respective commodities often helps develop a uniform strategy to manage multiple products that have closely related commodity attributes.  This can enable the Procurement Department to employ an individual with specific expertise in the commodity (also known as a subject matter expert [SME]) who can focus primarily on managing a strategy for that specific group of suppliers.  The added value of this approach is that the organization’s management is given the opportunity to recognize the discipline required to establish specific commodity excellence.” 

Don’t we want uniform strategies and individuals with expertise managing travel and meeting services? 

As the job description below validates, it appears that one company is hiring a “Commodity Manager” to develop and execute the Mobility Services (Travel/Events/Meetings) commodity strategy.

What is your opinion?  May we use the word “commodity” when referring to travel and meeting procurement?

-----------------------------

http://www.comparecarrentals.co.uk/news/182827639.html

http://www.allbusiness.com/management/3497381-1.html

Commodity Management Specialist, Mobility Services (Travel/Events/Meetings) Job Details Job Description

In this position, the Commodity Management Specialist will be part of a 20 person team and report to the Director of Mobility Services.  The mission for the Commodity Management Specialist is to successfully develop/execute the Mobility Services (Travel/Events/Meetings) commodity strategy and fostering a proactive environment that promotes cross-functional support with respective business units while driving cost productivity across the company.

Responsibilities:
Commodity Management:
-Accurately communicates strategies to ensure proper implementation with the sectors, divisions and locations by collaborating with regional hubs.
-Performs the functions of international market analysis, demand analysis, global demand pooling, supplier selection, and negotiation of price, terms and conditions, to maximize contribution to operating profit and business objectives.
- Completes supplier analysis in order to acquire the best suppliers and to guarantee an optimum supply chain; assists in the coordination of the annual supplier evaluation process and executes formal supplier development plans.
- Maintains regular contact with internal/external interface partners to recognize developments and exert influence accordingly.
- Completes complex reports of defined information and figures to make results transparent and controls purchasing activities on a results-oriented basis.
- Identifies and resolves complex challenges and applies problem-solving skills in order to deal with most situations.  

Debi Scholar, GLP, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT, Six Sigma Green Belt

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

Debi has the following designations:

·     Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

·     Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

·     Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

·     NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

·     Six Sigma Green Belt

·     Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

Debi was selected as:

·     Meetings Management  Mover and Shaker by Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine (2010)

·     Top 20 Changemaker who influenced the meetings management industry by Corporate Meetings and Incentives (2008)

·     Best Meeting Practitioner by Business Travel News (2007)

Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar  and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

Optimizing the TMC-Corporate Relationship

Recently, I was interviewed by Travel Market Report on the relationship between the travel management company and its clients.

Below and in the attached link, I share my views on the key factors in optimizing this relationship.

Involve Your TMC in Policy

My advice to corporations on when to bring their travel management companies into the picture when creating corporate travel policy is “It's never too soon!”

An organization will benefit by involving a travel management company early in the process to help the organization identify opportunities to save costs, gain efficiencies and improve service. Because the travel management company (TMC) produces reports on the organization's travel behaviors, the TMC is in the best position to offer protocol and procedural support in the early stages of an organization's policy development.

Please continue reading this article at:  http://www.travelmarketreport.com/content/publiccontent.aspx?pageid=870&LP=1&articleID=3361 

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

 

Debi has the following designations:

· Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

· Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

· Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

· NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

· Six Sigma Green Belt

· Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

 

Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar  and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

 

The information contained in this Web site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. This information does not represent the opinions of any other party other than the author.  The links to other publicly available Web sites are provided as a convenience; we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information provided.

Virtual meetings join thoughts while travel joins hands; integration of both embodies the best results

With millions of travel and meeting dollars at stake, and procurement principles posted on cubicle partitions, corporate clients are rapidly demanding request for proposals (“RFP”) for travel and meeting services rather than the simpler method of renegotiating current supplier contracts. As advertised through supplier claims, new travel and meeting services brings about new RFP questions and requirements.

 

After creating a new global RFP for travel and meeting services this week and enhancing it in one long 16-hour day (that felt like two 8-hour days squished together, much like my butt after sitting and typing for that many hours), I’ve added a few virtual meeting support questions to the RFP.

 

Virtual meetings join thoughts while travel joins hands; integration of both embodies the best results.  Yet, without the right support, a virtual meeting feels like you’re in a flock of mute geese stuck in a rectangular, two-dimensional sludge. 

 

In your opinion, what types of probing virtual meeting questions should go into an RFP for travel and/or meeting services?  Many of my clients are not asking for IT technical or functionality support, but rather, the virtual meeting end user support.

 

Below are the questions that I’ve developed thus far for a travel management company, meeting management company or meeting planning company to respond to in a request for proposal.  Please share your thoughts or ideas.

 

NOTE: While this particular RFP does not require the technical or functional considerations, feel free to add those types of questions too. If you would like to respond privately, please contact me at debi@debischolar.com.  Thanks!

 

Recommending/Offering Virtual Meetings from the TMC, MMC, or MPC perspective

1. Provide the services and processes that you offer for virtual meetings and events.

2. Describe how your company can encourage use of virtual meetings and events to pre-empt travel or meetings. Provide examples of how you have put this process in place for other clients.

3. List your preferred virtual meeting and event technology suppliers if you are recommending those suppliers be used for this client.

4. Provide information on the process used by agents or the online booking tool to recommend/offer virtual meetings as an alternative to travel. 

5. Is there a script for the travel agent or meeting sourcer/planner to use to recommend or offer virtual meetings as a complement or replacement to travel/meetings? 

6. Describe the skillsets that are necessary to support virtual meetings*

 

*Note to my readers…I have created a virtual meeting and event role/task responsibility listing that I will be sharing with you soon; it is an excerpt from a book that I’m writing. If you need it immediately, contact me. 

 

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

 

Debi has the following designations:

· Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

· Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

· Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

· NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

· Six Sigma Green Belt

· Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

Tranquility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

Thousands of damp, hurried travelers undressed through security and rushed through Terminal B in the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, only to find that all flights were delayed at the end of this work week. With patience short and rudeness high, we were herded from gate to gate as the blue and white screen shouted “Cancelled” or “Delayed” due to the heavy rains throughout the East.  The scattered Delta Sky Clubs were filled to capacity and declined even the privileged guests while all of the airport restaurants were standing room only.  Hurdling over travelers without chairs, I bumped into young troops wearing Army fatigues who cheered when their flight was delayed as if onlookers should decipher a hidden message.   As common as this scene is to frequent travelers, it usually ruins a Friday night.

 

While trying to decide between beer or ice cream, I stumbled upon my own private cloud in Concourse B, next to Gate B15 while waiting for my flight. Like a tranquil haven, a small business called Minute Suites welcomed me into their silent sanctuary.  Minute Suites offer private, 7 ft. by 8 ft. rooms that can be used to nap, relax, or work. In less than a minute, the friendly staff sold me a one-hour timeslot. Once inside my private suite, with self-controlled temperature adjustments, I cozied into a comfortable daybed for an energizing nap with a real pillow and comforter (both freshly cleaned).  With the door closed, the chaos of Terminal B ceased.  My short powernap was enhanced by their NAP26 audio that uses binaurual beats to train the brain to relax and to awaken without the risk of grogginess.  After about 30 minutes, I gradually awoke to a gentle hush and envisioned a secluded beach and gentle waves.  I finally sat up, turned up the dimmed lights and checked my flight status using Minute Suite’s high speed Internet access and computer. Even the message stating that my flight had been delayed another two hours didn’t bother me now. With a renewed energy after a nap and some total silence, I gave the remote control a spin through the hundreds of satellite TV stations to find some news. While airline clubs offer comfortable seating, business services and snacks, they don’t provide private beds, pillows, TVs and silence that are sometimes desperately needed. 

 

Designed by physicians and healthcare professionals, Minute Suites offer a secure, dark and quite environment to encourage napping and the use of binaural beat audio technology as a sleep aid for travelers.  The Atlanta facility, opened in November 2009, is the first of its kind in the United States. Similar private spaces are available in international airports.  At $30 for the first hour, it was worth every dollar after experiencing a busy week, a long day and numerous flight delays. For those who want a private, small meeting facility, Minute Suites provides additional chairs that can be added to the suite.

 

When my hour at Minute Suites ended, I reentered the swarm of smelly, frustrated travelers with a renewed vigor as if I had changed into army fatigues and was off to conquer my path back to Newark.

 

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

 

Debi has the following designations:

· Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

· Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

· Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

· NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

· Six Sigma Green Belt

· Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

 

Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar  and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

The information contained in this Web site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. This information does not represent the opinions of any other party other than the author.  The links to other publicly available Web sites are provided as a convenience; we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information provided.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Travel and Meetings

How do you measure your travel and meetings Corporate Social Responsibility ("CSR") program?   What are your CSR priorities?

CSR is a business approach to create long-term shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental and social developments according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

The three CSR dimensions, Economic, Environment and Social, include numerous criteria to manage and measure as shown below:

CSR Dimension	Criteria
Economic	· Codes of Conduct/Compliance/Corruption & Bribery · Corporate Governance · Risk & Crisis Management and other industry-specific criteria
Environment	Environmental Reporting which may include: · Greenhouse Gas Emissions ("GHG") · Energy Consumption · Water use · Waste · and other industry-specific criteria
Social	· Corporate Citizenship/Philanthropy · Labor Practice Indicators · Human Capital Development · Social Reporting · Talent Attraction and Retention · and other industry-specific criteria

Using a maturity model approach and scorecard, I help companies create a travel and meetings baseline so that organizations can measure the current status and begin improvements.  In addition to the above criteria, a strategic plan with tactical objectives provides the foundational roadmap for organizations.  

Today, three speakers will be sharing leading practices on CSR in meetings and events as part of the StarCite-sponsored webinar in Virtual Meeting World at 2:00 pm EST.  I will be sharing the maturity model and leading practices on how to best manage this important initiative in your organization.  If you are interested in participating, navigate to www.virtualmeetingworld.com. 

 

If you want more information or help with your CSR program, contact me.

Debi Scholar, GLP, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

Debi has the following designations:

· Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)

· Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

· Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

· NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)

· Six Sigma Green Belt

· Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)

Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar  and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

How much is your time worth?

Years ago, when I worked at Westinghouse Furniture Systems, our conference rooms had a "meeting cost" calculator on the wall.  In theory, if average salaries were input into the system, the calculator would display the cost of each meeting.  While it did not really gain momentum, I often wonder if we recognize the value of time. 

 

Fast forward to today, and I am currently sitting in JFK terminal.  My flight, originally scheduled for 9:30 p.m., was delayed by 9 hours.   Why couldn't they put me on another flight? Why weren't there more options? What should I do with these extra hours?   In fact, how much is our time worth?   If only I had the Westinghouse meeting room calculator now.

 

I chose a low cost carrier; the cost of my ticket was 45% less than my favorite carrier's ticket price.  Yet, the discount airline has less capacity and options for my destination.  Not only must I consider the extra 9 hours in the airport, but also, I must weigh the lost opportunity of not being in my destination on time.  What did I miss? What could I have accomplished?   Should I have considered the higher priced ticket with a carrier that has more flight options?

 

Granted, this scenario is not unique to low cost carriers.  In addition, some discount airlines are better than the traditional airlines.   According to a  Wall Street Journal article, "The Transportation Department estimates that budget airlines now account for 40% of the domestic market, up from 22% in 2001." 

 

Do we know how many flights, and the type of service, that the budget airlines offer?  How much is your time worth?  Maybe that Westinghouse meeting room calculator wasn't such a bad idea after all.

 

Read the Wall Street Journal article titled, "Airline Industry Sees Pain Extending Beyond the Recession"

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125047202485835613.html

 

 Debi Scholar, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT

 

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

 

Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar  and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

TPA: Travel Promotion Act 2009

I was talking to a client on Monday afternoon and he explained how difficult it is for him and his company to ask international colleagues to come to the U.S. when conducting business meetings and sharing skill sets. 

Thankfully, today, we're one step closer to overcoming some of these hurdles.  The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the Travel Promotion Act legislation.  My client and I hope that the Act continues to gain steam...

I've posted the ENTIRE Act below...however, in short, the Act:

a) provides useful information to foreign travelers (see below for exact verbiage)
b) will identify, counter and correct misperceptions regarding U.S. entry policies (see below)
c) will maximize the economic and diplomatic benefits of travel to the U.S. by promotion (see below)
d) will ensure that international travel benefits all States and DC, including areas not traditionally visited by international travelers (see below)
e) to give priority to the Corporation's efforts with respect to countries and populations most likely to travel to the US (see below)

Debi Scholar, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT

Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...

Follow me on Twitter ...http://twitter.com/debi001 and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar

 

S.1023

Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (Introduced in Senate) http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c111:2:./temp/~mdbsnmVhk7:e1083:

---

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Travel Promotion Act of 2009'.

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. The Corporation for Travel Promotion .

Sec. 3. Accountability measures.

Sec. 4. Matching public and private funding.

Sec. 5. Travel promotion fund fees.

Sec. 6. Assessment authority.

Sec. 7. Office of Travel Promotion .

Sec. 8. Research program.

SEC. 2. THE CORPORATION FOR TRAVEL PROMOTION .

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- The Corporation for Travel Promotion is established as a nonprofit corporation. The Corporation shall not be an agency or establishment of the United States Government. The Corporation shall be subject to the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act (D.C. Code, section 29-1001 et seq.), to the extent that such provisions are consistent with this section, and shall have the powers conferred upon a nonprofit corporation by that Act to carry out its purposes and activities.

(b) Board of Directors-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Corporation shall have a board of directors of 11 members with knowledge of international travel promotion and marketing, broadly representing various regions of the United States, who are United States citizens. Members of the board shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce (after consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State), as follows:

(A) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the hotel accommodations sector;

(B) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the restaurant sector;

(C) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the small business or retail sector or in associations representing that sector;

(D) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the advertising sector;

(E) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the attractions or recreations sector;

(F) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience as officials of a city convention and visitors' bureau;

(G) 2 shall have appropriate expertise and experience as officials of a State tourism office;

(H) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the passenger air sector;

(I) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in immigration law and policy, including visa requirements and United States entry procedures; and

(J) 1 shall have appropriate expertise in the intercity passenger railroad business.

(2) INCORPORATION- The members of the initial board of directors shall serve as incorporators and shall take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act (D.C. Code, section 29-1001 et seq.).

(3) TERM OF OFFICE- The term of office of each member of the board appointed by the Secretary shall be 3 years, except that, of the members first appointed--

(A) 3 shall be appointed for terms of 1 year;

(B) 4 shall be appointed for terms of 2 years; and

(C) 4 shall be appointed for terms of 3 years.

(4) REMOVAL FOR CAUSE- The Secretary of Commerce may remove any member of the board for good cause.

(5) VACANCIES- Any vacancy in the board shall not affect its power, but shall be filled in the manner required by this section. Any member whose term has expired may serve until the member's successor has taken office, or until the end of the calendar year in which the member's term has expired, whichever is earlier. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which that member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of the predecessor's term. No member of the board shall be eligible to serve more than 2 consecutive full 3-year terms.

(6) ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN- Members of the board shall annually elect one of the members to be Chairman and elect 1 or 2 of the members as Vice Chairman or Vice Chairmen.

(7) STATUS AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES- Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no member of the board may be considered to be a Federal employee of the United States by virtue of his or her service as a member of the board.

(8) COMPENSATION; EXPENSES- No member shall receive any compensation from the Federal government for serving on the Board. Each member of the Board shall be paid actual travel expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when away from his or her usual place of residence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

(c) Officers and Employees-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Corporation shall have a President, and such other officers as may be named and appointed by the board for terms and at rates of compensation fixed by the board. No individual other than a citizen of the United States may be an officer of the Corporation. The Corporation may hire and fix the compensation of such employees as may be necessary to carry out its purposes. No officer or employee of the Corporation may receive any salary or other compensation (except for compensation for services on boards of directors of other organizations that do not receive funds from the Corporation, on committees of such boards, and in similar activities for such organizations) from any sources other than the Corporation for services rendered during the period of his or her employment by the Corporation. Service by any officer on boards of directors of other organizations, on committees of such boards, and in similar activities for such organizations shall be subject to annual advance approval by the board and subject to the provisions of the Corporation's Statement of Ethical Conduct. All officers and employees shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

(2) NONPOLITICAL NATURE OF APPOINTMENT- No political test or qualification shall be used in selecting, appointing, promoting, or taking other personnel actions with respect to officers, agents, or employees of the Corporation.

(d) Nonprofit and Nonpolitical Nature of Corporation-

(1) STOCK- The Corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of stock, or to declare or pay any dividends.

(2) PROFIT- No part of the income or assets of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any director, officer, employee, or any other individual except as salary or reasonable compensation for services.

(3) POLITICS- The Corporation may not contribute to or otherwise support any political party or candidate for elective public office.

(4) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LOBBYING ACTIVITIES- It is the sense of Congress that the Corporation should not engage in lobbying activities (as defined in section 3(7) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (5 U.S.C. 1602(7)).

(e) Duties and Powers-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Corporation shall develop and execute a plan--

(A) to provide useful information to foreign tourists, business people, students, scholars, scientists, and others interested in travelling to the United States, including the distribution of material provided by the Federal government concerning entry requirements, required documentation, fees, processes, and information concerning declared public health emergencies, to prospective travelers, travel agents, tour operators, meeting planners, foreign governments, travel media and other international stakeholders;

(B) to identify, counter, and correct misperceptions regarding United States entry policies around the world;

(C) to maximize the economic and diplomatic benefits of travel to the United States by promoting the United States of America to world travelers through the use of, but not limited to, all forms of advertising, outreach to trade shows, and other appropriate promotional activities;

(D) to ensure that international travel benefits all States and the District of Columbia and to identify opportunities and strategies to promote tourism to rural and urban areas equally, including areas not traditionally visited by international travelers; and

(E) to give priority to the Corporation's efforts with respect to countries and populations most likely to travel to the United States.

(2) SPECIFIC POWERS- In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the Corporation may--

(A) obtain grants from and make contracts with individuals and private companies, State, and Federal agencies, organizations, and institutions;

(B) hire or accept the voluntary services of consultants, experts, advisory boards, and panels to aid the Corporation in carrying out its purposes; and

(C) take such other actions as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes set forth in this section.

(3) PUBLIC OUTREACH AND INFORMATION- The Corporation shall develop and maintain a publicly accessible website.

(f) OPEN MEETINGS- Meetings of the board of directors of the Corporation, including any committee of the board, shall be open to the public. The board may, by majority vote, close any such meeting only for the time necessary to preserve the confidentiality of commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, to discuss personnel matters, or to discuss legal matters affecting the Corporation, including pending or potential litigation.

(g) MAJOR CAMPAIGNS- The board may not authorize the Corporation to obligate or expend more than $25,000,000 on any advertising campaign, promotion , or related effort unless--

(1) the obligation or expenditure is approved by an affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the members of the board present at the meeting;

(2) at least 6 members of the board are present at the meeting at which it is approved; and

(3) each member of the board has been given at least 3 days advance notice of the meeting at which the vote is to be taken and the matters to be voted upon at that meeting.

(h) Fiscal Accountability.

(1) FISCAL YEAR- The Corporation shall establish as its fiscal year the 12-month period beginning on October 1.

(2) BUDGET- The Corporation shall adopt a budget for each fiscal year.

(3) ANNUAL AUDITS- The Corporation shall engage an independent accounting firm to conduct an annual financial audit of the Corporation's operations and shall publish the results of the audit. The Comptroller General of the United States may review any audit of a financial statement conducted under this subsection by an independent accounting firm and may audit the Corporation's operations at the discretion of the Comptroller General. The Comptroller General shall have full and complete access to the books and records of the Corporation.

(4) PROGRAM AUDITS- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act , the Comptroller General shall conduct a review of the programmatic activities of the Corporation for Travel Promotion . This report shall be provided to appropriate congressional committees.

SEC. 3. ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.

(a) OBJECTIVES- The Board shall establish annual objectives for the Corporation for each fiscal year subject to approval by the Secretary of Commerce (after consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State). The Corporation shall establish a marketing plan for each fiscal year not less than 60 days before the beginning of that year and provide a copy of the plan, and any revisions thereof, to the Secretary.

(b) BUDGET- The board shall transmit a copy of the Corporation's budget for the forthcoming fiscal year to the Secretary not less than 60 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, together with an explanation of any expenditure provided for by the budget in excess of $5,000,000 for the fiscal year. The Corporation shall make a copy of the budget and the explanation available to the public and shall provide public access to the budget and explanation on the Corporation's website.

(c) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Corporation shall submit an annual report for the preceding fiscal year to the Secretary of Commerce for transmittal to the Congress on or before the 15th day of May of each year. The report shall include--

(1) a comprehensive and detailed report of the Corporation's operations, activities, financial condition, and accomplishments under this Act ;

(2) a comprehensive and detailed inventory of amounts obligated or expended by the Corporation during the preceding fiscal year;

(3) a detailed description of each in-kind contribution, its fair market value, the individual or organization responsible for contributing, its specific use, and a justification for its use within the context of the Corporation's mission;

(4) an objective and quantifiable measurement of its progress, on an objective-by-objective basis, in meeting the objectives established by the board;

(5) an explanation of the reason for any failure to achieve an objective established by the board and any revisions or alterations to the Corporation's objectives under subsection (a);

(6) a comprehensive and detailed report of the Corporation's operations and activities to promote tourism in rural and urban areas; and

(7) such recommendations as the Corporation deems appropriate.

SEC. 4. MATCHING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF TRAVEL PROMOTION FUND- There is hereby established in the Treasury a fund which shall be known as the Travel Promotion Fund.

(b) Funding-

(1) START-UP EXPENSES- For the period beginning on October 1, 2009, and ending on December 31, 2009, the Secretary of the Treasury shall make available to the Corporation such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $10,000,000, from amounts deposited in the general fund of the Treasury from fees under section 217(h)(3)(B)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(h)(3)(B)(i)(I)) to cover the Corporation's initial expenses and activities under this Act .

(2) Fiscal year 2010 and subsequent years- For the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on September 30, 2010, and for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014, from amounts deposited in the general fund of the Treasury during the preceding fiscal year from fees under section 217(h)(3)(B)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(h)(3)(B)(i)(I)), the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer not more than $100,000,000 to the Fund, which shall be made available to the Corporation, subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, to carry out its functions under this Act . Transfers shall be made at least quarterly on the basis of estimates by the Secretary of the Treasury of the amounts required to be transferred in accordance with subsection (c), and proper adjustments shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess or less than the amounts required to be transferred.

(c) Matching Requirement-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Treasury shall make available to the Corporation at least quarterly from amounts available in the Fund for the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on September 30, 2010, and for each of fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, an amount equal to the amount received from non-Federal sources by the Corporation. The amount made available to the Corporation under this paragraph for the period ending on September 30, 2010, and for each of those fiscal years, may not exceed $100,000,000.

(2) GOODS AND SERVICES- For the purpose of determining the amount received from non-Federal sources by the Corporation, other than money--

(A) the fair market value of goods and services (including advertising) contributed to the Corporation for use under this Act may be included in the determination; but

(B) the fair market value of such goods and services may not account for more than 80 percent of the matching requirement under paragraph (1) for the Corporation in any fiscal year.

(3) RIGHT OF REFUSAL- The Corporation may decline to accept any contribution in-kind that it determines to be inappropriate, not useful, or commercially worthless.

(4) LIMITATION- The Corporation may not obligate or expend funds in excess of the total amount received by the Corporation for a fiscal year from Federal and non-Federal sources.

(d) Carryforward-

(1) FEDERAL FUNDS- Amounts transferred to the Fund under subsection (b)(2) shall remain available until expended.

(2) MATCHING FUNDS- Any amount received by the Corporation from non-Federal sources in fiscal year 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014 that cannot be used to meet the matching requirement under subsection (c)(1) for the fiscal year in which amount was collected may be carried forward and treated as having been received in the succeeding fiscal year for purposes of meeting the matching requirement of subsection (c)(1) in such succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 5. TRAVEL PROMOTION FUND FEES.

Section 217(h)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(h)(3)(B)) is amended to read as follows:

`(B) Fees-

`(i) IN GENERAL- No later than September 30, 2009, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a fee for the use of the System and begin assessment and collection of that fee. The initial fee shall be the sum of--

`(I) $10 per travel authorization; and

`(II) an amount that will at least ensure recovery of the full costs of providing and administering the System, as determined by the Secretary.

`(ii) DISPOSITION OF AMOUNTS COLLECTED- Amounts collected under clause (i)(I) shall be credited to the Travel Promotion Fund established by section 4 of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. Amounts collected under clause (i)(II) shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury and made available to pay the costs incurred to administer the System.

`(iii) SUNSET OF TRAVEL PROMOTION FUND FEE- The Secretary may not collect the fee authorized by clause (i)(I) for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 2014.'.

SEC. 6. ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY.

(a) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Corporation may impose an annual assessment on United States members of the international travel and tourism industry (other than those described in section 2(b)(1)(C) or (H)) represented on the Board in proportion to their share of the aggregate international travel and tourism revenue of the industry.

---