Introducing the latest myCWT product and service enhancements
Building on our digital, omnichannel myCWT platform, our new products and services will simplify travel management for you and your employees – anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
Note: Featured services may not be available in your country at this time. Please reach out to your CWT representative for more details.
Hear from Chief Product Officer, Erica Antony as she shares the key product highlights of 2024, along with the key areas driving innovation.
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2040: Baseline, Boom or Bust
As we enter an era of rapid transformation and unprecedented challenges, it is essential for travel managers, meeting & event planners, and corporate decision-makers to look ahead and frame our current strategic thinking with a clear vision of the future. Business travel and meetings and events (M&E) are poised for significant change over the next decade and a half, driven by a complex interplay of sustainability goals, technological advancements, evolving work models, and geopolitical dynamics.
In this paper to mark the 10th anniversary of our Global Business Travel Forecast, we explore, for the first time, a long-term vision of the future and potential trajectories through three distinct scenarios, each offering insights into how these forces should affect policy-making, budgeting and priorities. By examining these scenarios, we can better understand the diverse possibilities that lie ahead and the strategic imperatives required to thrive in each potential future.
Based on trajectory data analysis and interviews with industry leaders, behaviorists and climate tech founders, this forward-looking approach enables us to anticipate changes, strengthen our strategies, and make informed decisions that align long-term objectives. It is through this lens of foresight and adaptability that we can build resilience, seize opportunities, and navigate the complexities of the future.
We invite you to reflect on the insights presented, and consider how your organization can prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together we can ensure that travel and meetings remain catalysts for growth, scalability and sustainable practices.
- Scenario development is both an art and a science
- Megatrends Shaping the Future of Business Travel, Meetings and Events
- Sustainability goals the new crux of corporate policy
- Technology Revolutionizes Travel Management
- Modern work models spark new travel patterns
- Changing demographics open doors to new opportunities
- Three Scenarios: Base case, boom and bust
- Future-proofing strategies
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CWT GBTA Global business travel forecast 2025
When it comes to pricing, global business travel has finally reached an enduring, higher baseline. Prices will continue to rise in 2025, but only moderately, so expect a period of normalized growth.
However, this pricing environment, one of marginal gains and price regularity, is fragile. Global leisure travel has now realized a lot of its pent-up demand, while corporate travel has been resurgent, with 2024 edging at preCovid levels.
There are many factors at play, whether its volatile oil prices, labor costs and constraints, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical factors. As this elevated baseline edges upwards, albeit marginally, travel budgets will come under increased scrutiny, especially as travel patterns and attitudes change.
It’s why business travel can’t be viewed in a silo, and the true value to an organization must be fully realized. This forecast can help with those calculations.
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Capitalize on emerging technologies in corporate travel
Technological advancements are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. How will emerging innovations like Generative AI, blockchain, and self-sovereign identity (SSI) transform corporate travel?
BTN and CWT probed global CEOs, travel managers, industry consultants and tech experts on the promises, questions, and expectations these innovations raise and how they are set to reshape traveler experience, cost control and service delivery in corporate travel and events.
Download and discover
- The technologies that will have the greatest impact on corporate travel in the next 2-5 years
- How these emerging technologies are poised to control costs, enhance service and security, and boost efficiency
- The critical challenges, opportunities, risks and roadblocks each innovation raises
- What travel managers, buyers and experts anticipate from these innovations
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9 steps to master the science of venue sourcing
The rules of site selection are changing, and event planners and sourcing specialists need to adapt to ensure venues meet the client brief while juggling a host of related requirements such as accessibility – how easy is it to get to and is it suitable inside and out for people with additional needs? What are the sustainability credentials? Is food and beverage sustainably sourced? What AV and tech is available? What are the contractual terms and where does the client stand in the case of any force majeure cancellation? And that’s before any branding, attendee engagement, speakers or entertainment have even crossed the event planner’s mind.
CWT Meetings & Events’ Stephen Lusher is an expert when it comes to sourcing the right venue for client events. Here, he shares a list of skills venue sourcing specialists like him have developed to meet the evolving needs of clients and their events.
- Innovative venues
The trend started some years ago. Many companies decided to move away from hotel meeting rooms and began looking for originality and alternatives to hotel chains. Therefore, our venue sourcing specialists are widening their search to include the new breed of venues. Our teams keep abreast of latest openings, unique and trending venues and up and coming destinations. - Environment and sustainability are hot topics
Sustainability now plays a key role when tasked to find the perfect venue. In-house recycling, energy-efficient systems, or even compostable toilets – venues have a whole range of sustainable elements. Our specialists now need to enquire about environmental policies and credentials to fulfill the briefs we receive from our clients. - Know your client
Now more than ever, it is important to build a stronger working relationship with meeting requestors and understand the bigger picture of the client and the company culture. - The phone call
Calling the client instead of emailing to acknowledge a new request and qualifying over a phone call says a lot more and builds a bond. It is also a more effective channel to exchange ideas and manage expectations. - Owning the meeting request
Understanding the brief in full is fundamental. What is the client’s main aim of the meeting? What is the audience (profiles and demographic)? Knowing the attendees will help find a venue that best fits expectations and that provides memorable takeaway moments and cultural resonance. - Offering a consultative approach
Offering a consultative approach instead of an “order taker” view. Often clients provide a basic brief and suggest a venue / chain based on their understanding or past experiences. Team members should be consultative and provide additional viable alternative options and be confident in their reasoning. - Subject matter experts
CWT Meetings & Events has introduced subject matter experts (SMEs) to its Venue Sourcing & Contracting Solutions (VSCS) team. These SMEs are the go-to resource on various topics including destinations, sustainability, new openings, unique venues, negotiations and contracting. A specialist is better suited to respond to their area of expertise. - Ongoing education
Collaboration with suppliers and the Supplier Management Team provides practical and ongoing training. These include fam (familiarisation) trips, site inspections and industry events. Knowledge is then shared by the attendees across all of the venue sourcing teams. - Negotiation & contracting skills
Conducting meaningful conversations with suppliers to help settle differences by reaching a compromise that satisfies our clients and leads to best savings and cost avoidance. Our specialists are part of the open dialogue with our preferred suppliers.
If you’d like to put our expertise to the test for sourcing the right venue for your next event, get in touch!
Image credits: Adobe Stock
- Innovative venues
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CWT partners with Booking.com for Business to provide expanded content and 24/7 servicing
Today global business travel and meetings specialist CWT announces that it has committed to a new partnership with Booking.com for Business to support an expanded offering for small business customers. This will include discounted business travel rates, access to membership rewards from a variety of third-party loyalty programs, and 24/7 travel agent support, all provided by CWT.
Powered by travel and expense technology company Serko, the Booking.com for Business platform will combine Booking.com accommodation options with additional hotel, flight and car rental content provided by CWT, as well as multilingual customer service. Companies will be able to save time and money with discounted business travel rates across flights, accommodation, and rental cars via the Booking.com for Business platform, with no booking or servicing fees, all while better managing changes and traveler safety across all trips. Access to CWT travel consultants will be provided in multiple languages to assist with trip management and disruption.
Joshua Wood, Director of Booking.com for Business said: “We understand everyone has different travel preferences. For some it’s important to maximize status and loyalty points when they travel, while others are more focused on finding the best deal for their trips. And when disruption happens, everybody values the ability to contact an agent any time of day or night to get support. With this partnership, Booking.com for Business customers will have all of this in one place, along with the tools to manage cost and duty of care with travel expert support wherever they are in the world 24/7.”
“We are excited to partner with like-minded online travel global leaders, Serko and Booking.com for Business. Collectively we share a vision about making business travel frictionless for both travelers and travel managers alike,” said Brian Mogler, EVP and Chief Partnership Officer at CWT.
Serko’s CEO, Darin Grafton, welcomed the addition of CWT content and servicing to the Booking.com for Business offering, adding: “This is an exciting move, bringing two of our partners together through our Zeno technology platform to give business travelers a connected trip experience with all the business booking features, rates and service they want at no cost.”
The expanded Booking.com for Business offering made possible through the new partnership with CWT is expected to go live in the second quarter of 2023.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
About Booking.com for Business
Launched in 2015, Booking.com for Business has grown to become one of the world’s largest online booking tools for small to midsize companies. Part of Booking.com, Booking.com for Business’ mission is to help companies thrive in a world of changing business travel needs. Booking.com for Business offers enterprise-grade travel management software at no cost, as well as one of the widest selections of travel options in the world, including flights, accommodations and rental cars, all at highly competitive rates. Booking.com for Business is available in 7 languages (English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish and Dutch), and hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses trust the platform for their business travel needs globally.About Serko
Serko is a leader in travel and expense management for the business travel market. Zeno is Serko’s next generation travel management application, using intelligent technology, predictive workflows, and a global travel marketplace to transform business travel across the entire journey. Listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange (Ticker: SKO), Serko is headquartered in New Zealand, with offices across Australia, China, and the United States. -
Altair Global extends longstanding partnership with CWT
CWT today announced that Altair Global, a leader in global mobility services and corporate relocation, has extended its contract for global corporate travel management services. CWT has supported this preeminent provider of talent mobility experiences since 2003, in its endeavor to deliver a smart, safe, seamless travel program and experience for its customers and team members.
“Alongside our customer teams, Altair Global works tightly with CWT to deliver unparalleled travel experiences for its employees, aligned keenly to the exacting standards of mobility experiences it delivers to its customers and clients globally,” said CWT’s Enterprise Customer Vice President, Denise Harman. “Altair Global is a hugely ambitious growth organization, and we are thrilled to continue to evolve, adapt, and successfully build upon our longstanding and valued partnership with them.”
“CWT’s product innovations, deep knowledge of mobility travel, strong sustainability solutions, along with service excellence and flexible business models are some of the reasons why we entrust CWT with our global travel program,” said Ryan T. Agee, Vice President of Open Innovation, Altair Global. “CWT has consistently supported us with strong tech solutions, deep travel expertise, and effective cost management solutions, while ensuring our traveling customers and team members are well supported and cared for. We look forward to this next chapter in our longstanding and trusted partnership with CWT.”
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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Third time’s a charm: How CWT Meetings & Events Spain planned a winning creative event for client Schwarzkopf
In today’s competitive consumer environment, live events have become mission critical for brands seeking to command attention. 60% of leaders surveyed by event software company Bizzabo say that events are the most important marketing channel for achieving business goals, while research firm Verified Market Research expects the global events industry to generate an eye-watering $2.194 trillion by 2028 — an upswing from the $887 billion the market commanded in 2020.
To add to the challenge, if there’s one thing harder than finding a hair-tie in your handbag it’s planning a competitive event for a global haircare brand in a saturated market. By 2027, global ecommerce sales for health and beauty are predicted to reach almost $450 billion (Statista).
CWT Meetings & Events was approached by Henkel, Schwarzkopf’s parent company to plan and execute an immersive 3-day event aimed at building relationships with 600+ hairdressers in Spain and promoting online sales of Schwarzkopf products. The event had already been postponed twice due to the pandemic (the original was planned in 2019).
“Expectations were high,” says Operations Manager Natalia Bruno, “we had to make use of innovative new concepts while renegotiating supplier contracts following two postponements.”
The team booked Asia Gardens Hotel & Spa, Alicante for exclusive use.
Here’s how to make a similar event a success.
Theme-building exercise
In the initial creative planning stages bring together the right group and avoid setting limits, even if an idea seems impossible to execute. You can narrow the focus at a later stage.
You’ve heard of team building. It takes a united one to weave a brand’s desired theme through the entirety of an event. To meet a “futuristic” brief with a digital focus, CWT Meetings & Events’ Spain team negotiated a full buy-out of the hotel allowing them to brand its spaces. The restaurant was transformed into a fully-operational hair salon using Schwarzkopf products.
Synchronized swimmers, floating dancers suspended in bubbles, a futurist violinist and LED fittings filled the space. The team worked with Lumentium table mapping and multiple Michelin-starred chef Ramon Freixa to deliver a dining experience combining technology, video installation and top-notch food. The devil was in the detail. A sushi station was designed to represent the ocean and burgers were fire-branded to order with the client’s logo.
Tech talk
Creative use of technology can connect and inform attendees while adding an immersive, entertaining element.
There are so many ways good use of tech can help to enable a memorable, creative event and capture market research. Building on the tagline “one way to the future,” an app was created for the event with QR codes granting access to workshops and lunches. Each attendee had in their app profile flight tickets, hotel confirmation, and agenda information for the main talk and workshops.
A walking, talking robot was programmed to assist with event-related queries, survey and educate guests on new Schwarzkopf looks, trends and products. The robot was even able to dance and mingle, much to the delight of guests, appearing in several selfies.
Content-rich
Engage your attendees from the outset, using channels and mediums that they’re familiar with, teasing them with event content.
Pre-event, CWT Meetings & Events Spain launched a social media marketing campaign engaging key influencers on Instagram and Tik Tok. A roster of industry speakers spoke on topics such as the future of the metaverse for the hairdressing industry.
Plan B, C and D
Stress can throw you off-course. Communicate with your team frequently, be a sounding board and help anticipate and solve issues as they arise.
“We created one concept when the event was confirmed, a second pre-pandemic following a change of venue and theme by the client, and a third after the pandemic changed our lives and prompted a change of focus,” says Bruno, “the most challenging aspect was managing a full buy-out of the hotel and dealing with last-minute changes.”
Schwarzkopf collated feedback and saw an increase in online sales and post-event engagement, proving that with the right team, clever use of tech and agility in the face of cancellations and changes, it’s possible to pull off a world-class creative event with aplomb
CWT Meetings & Events can help you plan your next creative event.
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TK Elevator signs new global partnership with CWT
CWT today announced that is has been selected to provide global corporate travel management services to TK Elevator, one of the world’s leading elevator companies.
The new partnership begins April 2023, following a competitive request for proposal (RFP). CWT’s appointment comes from having successfully demonstrated expansive global expertise, supply breadth, robust cost optimization capabilities, advanced data & analytics reporting as well as a digital-first approach to delivering a better experience to travelers.
CWT will provide strategic services to TK Elevator to help support its business travel programme:
- Travel booking management and fulfilment through client online platform
- CWT hotel content in multi-channel
- Global client management
“We are delighted that the strength of our offering has been recognized by TK Elevator. We continuously invest in technology and solutions that allow us to maximise the value of our customer’s business travel spend, whilst achieving a seamless and safe travel experience for their employees”, said CWT’s EVP & Chief Customer Officer, Nick Vournakis.
“Getting the highest quality and best value for our travel spend is critical. We look forward to CWT delivering on that ask and more, by creating a corporate travel experience for TK Elevator that reflects the environment of innovation, creativity and diversity in which we operate around the world,” said Mirko Lange, Head of Global Strategic Sourcing and Programs at TK Elevator.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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CWT Meetings & Events launches carbon calculator to help reduce customers’ carbon footprint
CWT today launches a new meetings and events (M&E) carbon footprint calculator. Combining travel, hotel stays, meeting space and food & beverage carbon consumption information for corporate events, it provides detailed environmental impact insights to both CWT event planners and clients alike, enabling more sustainable choices for global events aimed at audiences of 200 up to 50,000.
The CWT M&E carbon calculator analyzes and reports on individual and collective delegate carbon emission and waste data for the entire event lifecycle, from planning to completion. It maps emission data against each individual customer’s own carbon benchmarks for current and future events. The calculator’s easy to navigate reporting signposts specific event elements where more optimal sustainable solutions could and should be sought – be that event destination, transportation, accommodation and venues, food and beverage, material, and/or waste management.
This latest service in CWT’s suite of sustainable travel products designed to help reduce customers’ impact on the planet, is supported by award-winning carbon intelligence platform, Thrust Carbon with whom CWT launched flight, hotel and car hire point of sale carbon indicators last year. As the first major global TMC to activate meeting and event emissions data with Thrust Carbon, this M&E carbon calculator launch follows an intensive six-month pilot program, whereby CWT extensively tested the tool on its own and select customer events, culminating in a robust, accurate and secure tool with ease of use at the heart of its formula, ready to integrate with future API connections.
“This year, in-person meetings have outstripped virtual and hybrid events by ten to one. With nearly all of our M&E customers and prospects citing ambitious long term corporate sustainability goals for their organizations – whether they run ongoing strategic meetings management programs or individual large-scale events – we are helping them realize their carbon-emissions reduction strategies,” said Ian Cummings, Global Head at CWT Meetings & Events. “CWT’s M&E carbon calculator enables organizations to operationalize a transparent and measurable solution to connect their people and stakeholders in the most environmentally frugal way.”
“Working with CWT on the development of this events calculator has been critical to the shaping of its scalable architecture and robustness,” said Kit Aspen, Founder & Director of Thrust Carbon. “CWT was laser-focused in wanting a carbon calculator that solved for the industry’s shortfall of having carbon measures purely for individual traveler impacts but not for events or vice versa. The M&E carbon calculator means that CWT has one of the industry’s most comprehensive tools to measure individual traveler and event carbon footprints.”
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
Thrust Carbon has a vision of a world where our actions don’t have to cost the earth. As the leading carbon intelligence platform in travel, they report, reduce, and remove emissions. Their IATA & BTN award-winning products are easy to integrate, deliver market leading accuracy, and total transparency across $52bn of travel spend. For Thrust Carbon press enquiries, please contact ed.hopkins@darkgreenpr.com / +44 7940 968 704
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A Embraer amplia a parceria com a CWT
A CWT anunciou hoje que a Embraer estendeu seu contrato para serviços de gestão de viagens corporativas até 2025. A CWT apoia a gigante aeroespacial do Brasil desde 2017, em seu esforço para construir um programa de viagens de negócios inteligente, moderno, seguro e sustentável.
Entre as razões para optar por estender a parceria, a Embraer destacou a estrutura de taxas simplificada e transparente da CWT, sua experiência na construção e gestão de programas de viagens globais consolidados, seus dados em tempo real e recursos de relatórios e a flexibilidade de sua plataforma myCWT. A Embraer também utiliza a solução de otimização de preços da CWT, que ajuda os viajantes a obter as melhores tarifas aéreas e de hotel disponíveis, mesmo depois de terem feito a reserva, gerando maior economia para os programas de viagens corporativas.
“A Embraer é um ótimo exemplo da tremenda inovação e crescimento que vem da América Latina, e estamos honrados em tê-los entre nossos clientes”, disse Tammy Morgan, Vice-presidente de gestão de mercado global, da CWT. “Estou extremamente orgulhosa do trabalho que nossas equipes desenvolveram nos últimos cinco anos para apoiar a Embraer na construção do melhor programa de viagens da categoria. Estou confiante de que alcançaremos mais sucesso juntos nesta próxima fase de nossa parceria, e gostaria de agradecer à Embraer por continuar depositando sua confiança em nós.”
“Embora as viagens de negócios sejam um fator-chave para o crescimento e expansão contínuos da Embraer, estamos comprometidos em fazer isso de maneira sustentável, priorizando a segurança e o bem-estar de nosso pessoal e apoiando nosso desempenho de negócios”, disse Erica Withaar, Supervisora de viagens e despesas da Embraer. “A CWT demonstrou que tem a tecnologia e experiência certas não apenas para nos ajudar a gerenciar custos, mas também para garantir que nossos funcionários sejam bem atendidos, especialmente quando suas viagens são interrompidas.”
Versión en Español
English version
A CWT é especialista global em viagens de negócios e reuniões. Empresas e governos confiam em nós para manter seus funcionários conectados, em qualquer lugar, a qualquer hora, de qualquer maneira. Em seis continentes, fornecemos a seus funcionários tecnologia inovadora e uma experiência de viagem eficiente, segura e sustentável, apoiada por nossas três promessas principais: simplificar as viagens corporativas, fazer conexões para ampliar possibilidades e avançar juntos.
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Embraer amplía su asociación con CWT
CWT anunció hoy que Embraer ha extendido su contrato de servicios de gestión de viajes corporativos hasta 2025. CWT ha apoyado al gigante aeroespacial en Brasil desde 2017, en su esfuerzo por construir un programa de viajes de negocios inteligente, moderno, seguro y sostenible.
Entre las razones por las que decidió prolongar la asociación, Embraer destacó la estructura de tarifas simplificada y transparente de CWT, su experiencia en la creación y gestión de programas de viajes globales consolidados, sus capacidades de datos e informes en tiempo real y la flexibilidad de su plataforma myCWT. Embraer también utiliza la solución de optimización de precios de CWT, que ayuda a los viajeros a obtener las mejores tarifas aéreas y hoteleras disponibles, incluso después de haber reservado, lo que supone un mayor ahorro para los programas de viajes corporativos.
“Embraer es un brillante ejemplo de la tremenda innovación y crecimiento de América Latina, y es un honor para nosotros contar con ellos entre nuestros clientes”, afirmó Tammy Morgan, Vicepresidente de Gestión Global de Mercados de CWT. “Estoy extremadamente orgullosa del trabajo que nuestros equipos han realizado durante los últimos cinco años para apoyar a Embraer en la creación del mejor programa de viajes de su clase. Estoy segura de que seguiremos cosechando éxitos juntos en esta nueva etapa de nuestra asociación, y me gustaría dar las gracias a Embraer por seguir confiando en nosotros”.
“Si bien los viajes de negocios son un factor clave para el crecimiento y la expansión continuos de Embraer, estamos comprometidos a hacerlo de una manera sostenible, dando prioridad a la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestra gente, y apoyando el rendimiento de nuestro negocio”, afirmó Erica Withaar, Supervisora de viajes y gastos de Embraer. “CWT ha demostrado que cuenta con la tecnología y la experiencia adecuadas no solo para ayudarnos a administrar los costos, sino también para garantizar que nuestros empleados estén bien atendidos, especialmente cuando sus viajes se ven interrumpidos”.
Versão em Português
English version
CWT es un especialista mundial en viajes de negocios y reuniones. Empresas y gobiernos confían en nosotros para mantener a sus empleados conectados en cualquier momento y lugar. En seis continentes, proporcionamos a sus empleados tecnología innovadora y una experiencia de viaje eficiente, segura y sostenible, respaldada por nuestras tres promesas fundamentales: para simplificar los viajes de empresa, conectar para desbloquear posibilidades y avanzar, juntos.
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Embraer extends partnership with CWT
CWT today announced that Embraer has extended its contract for corporate travel management services through 2025. CWT has supported the aerospace giant in Brazil since 2017, in its endeavor to build a smart, modern, safe, and sustainable business travel program.
Among the reasons for electing to extend the partnership, Embraer highlighted CWT’s simplified and transparent fee structure, its expertise in building and managing consolidated, global travel programs, its real-time data and reporting capabilities, and the flexibility of its myCWT platform. Embraer also uses CWT’s price optimization solution, which helps travelers get the best airfares and hotel rates available—even after they have booked—yielding greater savings for corporate travel programs.
“Embraer is a shining example of the tremendous innovation and growth coming out of Latina America, and we are honored to count them among our customers”, said Tammy Morgan, Vice President, Global Market Management, CWT. “I’m extremely proud of the work our teams have put in over the past five years to support Embraer in building a best-in-class travel program. I’m confident we will achieve further success together in this next phase of our partnership, and I’d like to thank Embraer for continuing to place their trust in us.”
“While business travel is a key enabler of Embraer’s continued growth and expansion, we are committed to doing so in a way that is sustainable, prioritizes the safety and well-being of our people, and supports our business performance”, said Erica Withaar, Travel & Expenses Supervisor for Embraer. “CWT has demonstrated that it has the right technology and expertise to not only help us manage costs but ensure that our employees are well taken care of, especially when their trips are disrupted.”
Versión en Español
Versão em Português
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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It’s time business travel embraced “train-bragging”
Are you a “train-bragger”? If you travel regularly for business, you may already be one – and if you are a corporate travel manager, you will certainly want more of your colleagues to be one, according to Liz Emmott, Global Distribution Director at Trainline Partner Solutions.
Train-bragging is a concept we have been promoting at Trainline recently, as part of our ongoing sustainability campaign, I Came by Train. A more positive notion than simply forcing behavioral change through flight-shaming, the idea behind train-bragging is that rail should be seen as something that is worn as a badge of honor, and that travellers should take pride in using the train.
We’re looking to support a real and growing appetite for sustainable travel. Earlier this year, a Trainline survey of British business travellers found two-thirds were concerned about their own personal carbon footprint of business-related travel in 2022, 72% wanted to make more of their trips using lower-carbon modes of travel this year and 78% said sustainability would be an important consideration for them when deciding on their business travel needs this year.
There are also a range of policy levers that UK and European governments are pulling to encourage more sustainable travel, from France’s much-discussed ban on domestic flights when a rail alternative exists, to the increased obligations on businesses in many countries to monitor and report on the carbon footprint of their operations.
Rail travel is also changing, with the growing liberalisation of Europe’s rail industry seeing new operators entering the market to compete with incumbent carriers on both price and quality. Seven of the ten busiest routes in Europe now have competition between carriers.
The longest-standing competition has existed on the Rome-Milan route, which over a decade saw the average price for rail travellers reduce by 40%, rail double its modal share on the route to 75%, and conversely aviation’s modal share fall from 50% to less than 20%. Now other routes are poised to see similar benefits – Barcelona-Madrid for example has been transformed in the past 18 months and now has four different carriers competing, each developing a competitive offer geared towards their own target market.
Plus rail travel offers business travellers wider benefits beyond reducing their carbon footprint. Research we undertook last autumn found more than eight out of ten UK business travellers said maintaining productivity during their journey is important to them. Here rail has a natural advantage over both driving and flying, even if the door-to-door journey isn’t always quicker.
Most work is impossible to combine with safe driving, while the stop-start nature of air travel doesn’t lend itself to dedicated working time. More reliable access to WiFi, a more comfortable physical environment for work, and less waiting around were among the top reasons cited by survey respondents for travelling by rail instead of by road or air.
All this explains why we are keen to make it simple for business travellers to compare their rail options and buy tickets, whatever journey they are making across Europe. We’ve partnered with CWT, and other players in the business travel market, to streamline and integrate business travel by rail and remove another barrier preventing business travellers from choosing the train.
Because the train-braggers are arriving soon, at a platform near you, and we want to support them.
Image credits: Adobe Stock
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CWT announces leadership changes
Judy Hendrick to retire as CFO with Jim Shepherd named her successor and John Pelant named EVP, Chief Experience & Technology Officer.
CWT, the global business travel and meetings specialist, today announced three leadership changes, effective April 1, 2023.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Judy Hendrick will be retiring as of July 1, 2023, at which point Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance Jim Shepherd will become CWT’s Executive Vice President (EVP) & Chief Financial Officer. In the interim, effective April 1, 2023, Jim will be appointed CWT’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer and will transition with Judy, who will stay on as EVP and CFO until her retirement.
Chief Technology Officer, John Pelant has been named EVP, Chief Experience & Technology Officer, effective April 1, 2023, with responsibility for a new function that combines Traveler Experience and Product & Technology. Derek Sharp, current EVP & Chief Traveler Experience Officer, will be leaving the company to pursue new career opportunities, as will Belinda Hindmarsh, EVP & Chief Growth Officer, whereby her responsibilities will be integrated into other functions.
“Business travel is rapidly changing, and we need to adapt our operations and business model to ensure we continue to win, retain and service clients successfully. These changes create a realigned executive leadership team structure that better supports our strategic priorities, and underscores CWT’s ability to develop outstanding talent with the right skills to transform our organization,” commented Patrick Andersen, President & Chief Executive Officer of CWT.
“Given our technology-centric operations, John is uniquely qualified to lead both the technology innovation efforts and the travel experience for our customers. Jim has an incredibly strong background, bringing more than 20 years of experience in finance, strategy, operational excellence, and delivering stakeholder value for large companies. Jim and John’s leadership will be critical to scaling our business, driving long-term profitability and value creation. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Jim and John, and the rest of the Executive Leadership Team, as the Company enters its next chapter.”
Patrick Andersen concluded, “On behalf of the Board, we thank Judy, Derek, and Belinda. We are grateful to Judy for her expertise in partnering with our investors and our Board of Directors as we continue to position CWT for future success; Derek for his great leadership in Meetings & Events, RoomIt and then Traveler Experience; and Belinda for her stellar contributions leading Global Sales Effectiveness, Global Market Management & Market Development, RoomIt, China, and then the Growth Organization.”
About John Pelant: John Pelant joined CWT in 1991 and has held various leadership positions, with both global and Americas remits, most recently leading the Product and Technology organization as Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer. He is responsible for delivering on the company’s strategy for our external and internal product capabilities servicing our customers. John is also a board member for the Orphaned Starfish Foundation, a member of the Defenders Circle at Thorn, and leads the CWT Responsible Business program in the Americas. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
About Jim Shepherd: Jim Shepherd joined CWT in 2022 as Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance. He serves as a member of CWT’s Finance Leadership Team and is responsible for the delivery of analysis, decision support, and leadership of Financial Planning and Analysis as well as the Finance business partnerships to the global operating functions of CWT. Jim brings more than 20 years senior leadership experience in the areas of finance, strategy, and operational excellence, delivering shareholder value and strategic impact for Fortune 500 companies. He joined CWT via Medtronic, where he served as the Vice President of Strategy and Transformation for Global Operations and Supply Chain. Jim holds a Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science from Miami University (OH).
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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Is this small Finnish city the ideal blueprint for a sustainable future?
Finland is officially the happiest place to live in the world. That’s according to the World Happiness Report, which has seen the Nordic country top the list for a sixth year in a row. The report cited nature and community as two of the biggest reasons that keep Finns smiling.
One of Finland’s cities that certainly incorporates both is Lahti. Known as the land of 1,000 lakes (it actually has 188,000), Lahti is located 1-hour drive from the Finnish capital Helsinki and is a pioneering city in environmental sustainability.
Winner of the European Green Capital Award in 2021, Lahti has many examples of its sustainable credentials and initiatives that drive behavioral change. It’s the first city in the world to pilot personal carbon trading – an app collects residents’ travel data then rewards them for making sustainable choices to reduce their carbon footprint. By choosing sustainable modes of transport the user earns virtual Euros that can be exchanged in local shops, bars and restaurants. It’s an important part of the wider goal of Lahti becoming a carbon neutral city by 2025.
All the city’s 120,000 residents live within 300 meters of green urban spaces and even its ice hockey team, Lahti Pelicans, are carbon-free – no air travel for away games and they utilize green energy at the stadium.
In its submission for the European Green Capital award, Lahti said the environmental success of the city wouldn’t have been possible without the passion and collaboration from the local community.
A team effort
It’s collaboration and desire from multiple groups that’s needed to continue delivering environmental change within business travel.
A study in late-2021 from rail technology operator Trainline Partner Solutions, found 66% of employees expect their employer to make sustainable travel options available. 7 in 10 employees (71%) stated businesses that do not offer sustainable business travel set a ‘bad example for future generations’, with one in five 16–24-year-olds saying they’d consider leaving their existing employer because of their business travel policy. The study also showed that 73% of employees would like employers to provide clear information about the impact of ‘required’ business travel.
If companies still fail to act and introduce sustainable policies and ways to measure carbon emissions, then maybe governments will start baring their teeth and drive change like the French government at the end of 2022. France received permission by the European Commission to ban domestic flights where there is an alternative train service of less than two and a half hours.
A battle is still ongoing in the Netherlands where the Dutch government tried to ban all domestic flights between Amsterdam and Brussels (a key business travel route), but it’s currently upheld by EU regulation. In response they announced plans to cut back the number of flights at Schiphol Amsterdam airport as part of a policy aimed at reducing noise and air pollution.
A sustainable future requires less talk and more action. If we want to see positive change within our industry, then we must keep innovating and keep business travel at the forefront of driving environmental initiatives (and it will help keep us as happy as our Finnish friends).
MyCWT users in the UK can now book train journeys on myCWT web and mobile. And with the addition of carbon footprint indicators and emission estimates for train in myCWT, travelers are now able to make sustainable choices across all travel accommodations (flight, hotel, car and train) at the point of sale.
Image credits: Adobe Stock