Price volatility is finally moderating, making planning easier for businesses, even as prices rise. Still, on the back of the biggest election year in history (2024), macroeconomic and travel industry supply-demand dynamics will vary dramatically from country to country in 2025. From North America’s steady demand coupled with Trump-administration uncertainty, inflation-driven cost spikes in some Latin American countries, and the Asia-Pacific region’s uneven recovery, CWT Solutions Group Vice Pre...
Dec 05, 2024•28 min
Generative AI, Blockchain and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) are transforming traveler experience and service delivery. How should travel managers prepare their programs to take full advantage and avoid big risks? What's the current state of play and future prospects over the next year and beyond? To launch CWT and BTN Group's industry white paper 'Emerging Technologies in Corporate Travel' Cobb & Hutch Consulting's Karen Hutchings, Microsoft's Steve Clagg, and Travlr ID's Gee Mann and Ian Sp...
Jul 03, 2024•53 min
The production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is gaining critical momentum. As demand for air travel increases worldwide, corporate travel customers must play a leading role in the race to decarbonize aviation. But, it's no mean feat for travel managers looking to balance cost and sustainability, while staying clued-in to developments, CWT's Global Head of ESG Richard Thompson talks to Dan Kreibich, Founder and Chief Product Officer of climate tech company Squake and Susanne Bou...
Jun 07, 2024•29 min
The prices of plane tickets, hotel rooms and ground transportation for business travelers are determined by an array of industry and macro-economic factors like capacity, leisure travel volume, inflation, and fuel charges. This year, is there a new driver in the mix? Over 60 countries have, or will head to the polls in 2024, the biggest global election year in history. CWT's Emma Woodhouse talks to Chris Ely, Research Director of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Shawn DuBravac, ...
May 22, 2024•18 min•Ep. 29
Rachel Lunderborg, Head of Global Process and Technology at CWT Meetings & Events is joined by Kit Aspen, Founder and Director of award-winning carbon intelligence platform Thrust Carbon, and Rachel Munns, Head of Sustainability at World Wise Foods. CWT Meetings & Events this year co-developed a meetings and events carbon calculator with Thrust Carbon, known for powering sustainability behind over $50 billion of travel spend. As CWT Meetings & Events sees its projects more than doubl...
Jul 04, 2023•30 min•Ep. 28
If there’s one job harder than being a clairvoyant at a sceptic’s convention it’s being a futurist in these mightily uncertain times. It’s hard to read an article these days that doesn’t warn us that bots will wipe out entire industries or that the global economy is about to implode. But is there nuance and cause for optimism? CWT's Julian Walker talks to Shawn DuBravac, NY Times bestselling author, futurist, economist and analyst for the GBTA CWT Global Business Travel Forecast about the near-t...
Mar 29, 2023•18 min•Ep. 27
Over the next ten years, we are likely to see change on a scale not witnessed since the Industrial Revolution. From NFT loyalty programs to self-driving cabs, from adaptive travel policies to flying taxi hubs, the era ahead will be both exhilarating and challenging to navigate. We’re on the cusp of massive economic and social disruption that has wide-reaching implications for us all. So how do you discern between what's 'pie in the sky' and what's really going to happen? And with AI-powered auto...
Jan 30, 2023•25 min•Ep. 26
It’s a rare moment when headlines aren’t awash with news of inflation, geopolitical hair-raisers, and the race to combat climate change. If only there was a crystal ball to help companies plan their business travel and events around uncertainty. Internationally-recognized thought leader, NY Times bestselling author, futurist, and top-rated keynote speaker Dr. Shawn DuBravac delivers pragmatic and provocative insights on the trends, technologies, and paradigms transforming the globe. Hot on the h...
Nov 24, 2022•17 min•Ep. 25
CWT Meetings & Events (M&E) is an award-winning global events agency delivering live, virtual and hybrid events for thousands of customers every year ranging from end-to-end productions of some of the world’s largest global conferences to intimate teambuilding events. Kari Wendel, VP strategic and enterprise customers, and global operations is at the helm of the agency’s ‘total meetings management’ approach working with larger customers with centralized meeting strategies, large events &...
Oct 20, 2022•20 min•Ep. 24
Richard Johnson, Global Head of Solutions Group, the consulting arm of global travel management platform CWT is joined by Heinrich Lange, Senior Director Sales Northern Europe, and Head of Global Account Management, EMEA, Lufthansa. Together they unpick the practicalities of accelerating the development and integration of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the collective efforts of the entire aviation industry to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Find out: Why making SAF the crux of fruitful ...
Aug 31, 2022•25 min•Ep. 23
Volatility, complexity and change brought on by the pandemic has been a huge social and economic disrupter for most. It has - and continues to - transform the way in which we interact, consume, work and travel. What influence does this change have on business travelers’ behaviours, needs and expectations? In this episode Christina Scorsis, CWT’s VP Traveler Experience Evolution, opines about her own shifting attitudes, and how companies and organizations can keep pace with the aspirations and ex...
Jun 22, 2022•16 min•Ep. 22
Belinda Hindmarsh, Chief Growth Officer of global travel management platform CWT is joined by Kit Brennan, Co-founder and Director of award-winning carbon intelligence platform Thrust Carbon. Together they have decades of experience in the travel tech space. CWT recently became the first major global TMC to activate point-of-sale emissions data with Thrust Carbon, answering the industry’s call-to-action to reduce our impact on the planet by enabling travelers to make the most eco-friendly decisi...
May 25, 2022•23 min•Ep. 21
Belinda Hindmarsh, Chief Operating Officer of RoomIt by CWT and China, and John Pelant, Chief Technology Officer, CWT are leaders of CWT’s women’s employee resource group. Drawing on decades of combined experience in travel and tech, along with leading a global multinational operating in over 140 countries, they talk about breaking the bias at a critical turning point including: The role of business travel management in progressing equal opportunities. How to build an inclusive culture and inspi...
Mar 08, 2022•18 min•Ep. 20
Michelle McKinney Frymire is no stranger to challenge. The CEO of travel management platform CWT, she was at the helm of making the company financially resolute at one of the toughest times in the history of travel. With $350 million of new equity, including a $100 million investment in technology and innovative products, the platform is entering a pivotal new period. CWT is physically present in over 140 countries and staffed by 12,000 employees ranging in age from 18 to 90. As the company cele...
Jan 31, 2022•18 min•Ep. 19
Human trafficking – the illegal movement of a person into or through a country by force, threat or deception to exploit them - can affect anyone of any age, gender or nationality. In trafficking in persons, criminals are adjusting their business models to a new reality created by the pandemic, especially through the abuse of communications platforms. At the same time, COVID-19 impacts the ability to provide essential services to trafficked persons. Since 1999 CWT and the Carlson Family Foundatio...
Jul 30, 2021•22 min•Ep. 18
The pandemic prompted companies to take a closer look at the environmental impact of business travel. Now, as travel gradually begins to restart, we can expect sustainability to remain a key priority for many organizations. CWT's Richard Johnson, Senior Director, CWT Solutions Group speaks to a panel of experts representing different viewpoints—including airlines, environmental non-profits, TMCs, and travel buyers—to discuss a major point of contention in making corporate travel programs greener...
Jun 11, 2021•46 min•Ep. 17
The biggest global vaccination campaign in history is underway. As countries around the world look to gradually ease restrictions, it is imperative that organizations prepare themselves and equip their employees for a safe return to travel. Raphaël Pasdeloup - Senior VP Global Customer Management, Technology, Media and Telecom at CWT speaks to Brandon Balcom - Senior Director, Innovation, CWT and William Hauptman, MD - Medical Director Assistance, Americas Region, International SOS about: The im...
May 06, 2021•43 min•Ep. 16
2021 is set to be a big year for hybrid meetings and events, with travel restrictions and safety measures expected to remain in place. When done right, combining the best of virtual and in-person events allows you to boost engagement and reach a wider audience. Get ahead of the curve by learning from CWT Meetings & Events' Fredrik Hermelin, as he speaks to industry experts about how to organize impactful hybrid events that deliver results for your business. Visit mycwt.com...
Mar 26, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Where were you this time last year? Twelve months on from the start of a global event we can all remember vividly, it’s natural to wonder what business travel, meetings and events and the world of work will look like this time in 2022. We hand the crystal ball to Michelle McKinney-Frymire, CWT’s CFO and President Strategy & Transformation, and Niklas Andreen, President Traveller Experience and Customer. Visit mycwt.com
Feb 26, 2021•11 min•Ep. 14
At the end of a year that completely altered business travel, meetings & events, and our working lives, who better to reflect on the past and anticipate the future than the editors and journalists at the coalface? Winners of the Business Travel Journalism Awards 2020 talk vaccine hope, slow travel, and cutting commutes for good. Visit mycwt.com
Jan 13, 2021•9 min•Ep. 13
The pandemic has forced businesses to take a closer look at their travel risk policy. What is in place now and what do you need to adapt to make it work for your business and employees? Dr. William Hauptman, M.D., Medical Director Assistance, and Andrew Miller, Director of Partnerships for the Americas Region, both from International SOS, share advice and guidance on why travel managers should reshape their policy to meet the evolving demands of a world challenged by COVID-19. Visit mycwt.com...
Nov 24, 2020•36 min•Ep. 12
Employee wellbeing is back on top of the corporate agenda, so it is vital your travel policy tackles the issues that matter most to your employees and addresses their concerns in this new world. In this episode, On The Fly spoke with Valdís Arnórsdóttir, Director of HR Operations, Marel to explore why travel managers should be working closely with their HR professionals to set new policies and procedures in the COVID-19 era. Visit mycwt.com...
Oct 28, 2020•19 min•Ep. 11
As businesses reconnect and travel restarts, questions remain over how to manage an air program fit for an uncertain and changing world. Join global airlines, Delta and Air France - KLM as they address key issues affecting travel managers, including unused tickets, boosting employee confidence and safety concerns. Visit mycwt.com
Sep 09, 2020•30 min•Ep. 10
Restrictions may have eased but many companies still struggle with building confidence in their traveling employees. Hear from business and travel experts in Asia Pacific on how to get your people ready for the road. A diverse speaker panel talks critical learnings from essential service providers, how considerations have shifted, and how suppliers are adapting their operations to cope with a dynamic situation. Visit mycwt.com
Aug 18, 2020•26 min•Ep. 9
Restrictions may have eased but many companies still struggle with building confidence in their traveling employees. Hear from business and travel experts in Asia Pacific on how to get your people ready for the road. A diverse speaker panel talks critical learnings from essential service providers, how considerations have shifted, and how suppliers are adapting their operations to cope with a dynamic situation. Visit mycwt.com
Aug 18, 2020•20 min•Ep. 8
Business travelers are on the road again but many are wondering what to expect at each stage of their trip. CWT's Julian Walker speaks to Nina Brooks, Director of Security, Facilitation and IT at ACI World, to discuss new measures to boost traveler safety, how employees should prepare for a trip and the steps that airports have made to build traveler confidence. Visit mycwt.com
Aug 06, 2020•26 min•Ep. 7
As travel slowly restarts around the world what will it mean for the employee experience and how should a travel manager prepare? CWT's Julian Walker speaks to Jeremy Prout, Regional Security Manager, and Dr. William Hauptman, MD, Medical Director Assistance, from International SOS. They take a holistic view at getting employees back on the road and provide a roadmap and strategic framework for a return to travel. Learn about: Resuming travel: pre-trip approval, airport screenings, and many othe...
Jun 12, 2020•28 min•Ep. 6
CWT speaks with the International Olympic Committee and 3 PEAKS Leadership about the importance of communication and transparency, why it’s essential to have effective contingency plans and offer up essential advice on dealing with evolving situations and ‘uncontrollable’ events as we've never seen before. Visit mycwt.com
May 19, 2020•28 min•Ep. 5
COVID-19, officially a global pandemic, is first and foremost, a human calamity, and one that has upended business travel like never before. In this episode, we talk with Matt Bradley, a former CIA intelligence officer, who is now with International SOS. We discuss what the leading travel risk services company is advising all clients right now. For those who still need to travel in these unprecedented and unsettling times, find out what you must consider before making that decision. And, while w...
Mar 19, 2020•16 min•Ep. 4
If there's one bane that unites business travelers from Singapore to Switzerland, it's submitting expense reports. Could this tedious chore be on its way out? Dave Holmes, VP for Payments at CWT, talks us through innovations in global payments technology that will make paying for, and accounting for, work trip expenses much more interactive – and much less of a pain. Visit mycwt.com
Feb 19, 2020•17 min•Ep. 3
