About the Course
In this GoldSpring Master Class series, we take a look at the corporate travel program big picture. With global shifts and the constant need today to react to regulatory, market and industry changes today, travel managers can get caught up in the urgent and often tactical day to day of program operations. Here, we’ll take a breath, step back and check in on program foundational design.
Let’s look at strategic alignment with company goals and objectives and how travel managers can set up travel program management accordingly. How do travel managers need to design technology, travel policy, duty of care, DEI and new sustainability initiatives to factor in successfully. We will examine building your category management model and approach to preferred suppliers to satisfy and support your program goals and structure. And what about key infrastructure components like TMC, OBT, mobile, payment and more. Join us!
Class I: A Strategic Foundation: Build Your Company Profile
Monday, February 12th at 11 am CT (Makeup class February 19th at 10 am CT)
In this class, we’ll set the foundation for building a strong, long-term travel program strategy aligned with company culture and business direction. How should you design your program management structure to make it all happen, and will you use technology effectively to support it? How do you construct your travel policy and satisfy duty of care requirements, DEI and new sustainability initiatives? What about stakeholder engagement? All of these factors and how they are approached, stack up to building a strong travel program strategy and plan.
Class II: Supplier Spend: Building Your Category Management Model
Monday, February 19th at 11 am CT (Makeup class February 26th at 10 am CT)
Taking what you want to achieve based on your company profile and travel program foundational elements above, how do you set up your primary supplier categories? We’ll look at each – air, lodging and ground – and what goes into setting it up to meet your unique requirements. We’ll consider how you should approach the business relationships, getting what you need in your markets and from your preferred suppliers, data and reporting, negotiation tactics, and more.
Class III: Taking It To The Next Level: Building Your Supplier Infrastructure
Monday, February 26th at 11 am CT (Makeup class March 4th at 10 am CT)
Let’s look at core operations and setting yourself up for success, starting with your TMC. How do you strategically assess your program and its requirements? What’s your OBT/Mobile strategy and how much does this factor in with your TMC choice? We’ll look at the latest options and how to consider the best fit for expense, card and payment. We’ll close the loop with data and reporting and show you how it feeds back into ongoing strategic planning and practice.
Class IV: Q&A Session
Monday, March 4th at 11 am CT
It's a wrap-up Q&A session, we will compile all questions asked throughout this series as well as open the floor to the audience to ask questions they may have! This is an optional class and is not required to receive certification.
