John Caldwell, president of Caldwell Associates, a well-respected travel industry veteran and legal counsel, hits the nail on the head in his recent Forum article for Business Travel News
(BTNonline, July 27). A new look needs to be taken at the future of the travel industry and the associations that best educate and support our companies for managing travel. Corporate managers need to make good decisions about their time away from the office and the information they can bring back from education and networking.
Companies and suppliers incur significant costs, not to mention that volunteer efforts that are necessary to make associations impactful and operate in a cost-effective manner. John Caldwell points to a number of issues of expenses (high-cost speakers, parties, large support staffs, etc.) that need to be examined as being cost-justified for the benefit returned to the membership. Have our suppliers taken a deeper look at their annual investments in associations and made the best strategic decisions in how to partner and build their customer relationships?
As an original member of the Association Of Corporate Travel Executives, I recall 20 years ago when our board discussed cost issues with the dedicated suppliers in our membership that had an equal voice. The suppliers were deeply concerned about supporting two associations' trade shows and the high cost of doing so. ACTE made the right partnership decision to discontinue its trade show and eliminated significant cost for our suppliers and still was able to provide networking opportunities that resulted in meaningful long-term business relationships.
Thanks, John. There is a better way, and I trust in the association leadership, membership and sponsors to make the most prudent business decisions in this difficult economic environment.