RoomIt

Amazon Picks BCD Travel, Keeps CWT’s RoomIt For Lodging

Amazon is moving to BCD Travel from CWT, although the latter will continue to provide lodging services to the retailing giant. “We want to thank CWT for their partnership and work,” wrote Hillary Dallas, Amazon director of global travel and events, in a Wednesday email confirming the development. “As part of our regular course of…

Tripbam Asks, Where Did All The Hotel Chainwide Discounts Go?

The biggest knock on any discount program buyers secure with hotel properties and chains is that travelers can’t access preferred rates. That wastes the negotiating effort and eliminates some expected savings. According to Tripbam, for many enterprise clients, that’s been the case this year for chainwide deals. The reasons aren’t clear.  Due to localized hotel…

Never Universal, Dynamic Hotel Discounts Lose Appeal In Seller’s Market

That they see the lodging sector as a seller’s market right now means many corporate travel buyers are waiting until later than usual to start rate negotiations for the coming year. It also means the dynamic discount model hotels began pushing well before the pandemic — which then served as a component of the dual-rate…

CWT Promotes CFO McKinney Frymire To Replace Ekert As CEO

CWT on May 1 will hand the reins to Michelle McKinney Frymire, CFO of the travel management company since 2019. She’ll replace CEO Kurt Ekert, who will become a senior advisor. A press official said the transition, announced on Tuesday, was not unexpected and followed an organizational restructuring last fall. At that time, CWT elevated…

CWT Chief Executive Ekert Expects More ‘Big Brother’ Travel Management (Audio)

Liability risks will force some companies to use strict pre-trip approval and booking channel policies for the foreseeable future, according to CWT president and CEO Kurt Ekert. “This is not leisure travel, where the consumer is making a decision for their individual pleasure,” said Ekert last week during a Teleconference. “If you’re asking somebody to…

Op Ed: Derek Sharp On The Annual Hotel RFP’s Diminished Role

Complicated in the best of times, hotel sourcing is particularly tricky right now. Derek Sharp, SVP and COO for CWT’s RoomIt, makes the case for ongoing program maintenance and closer relationships with key providers. It’s the end of 2020 and that means more than just a nip in the air and aspirations for a happier…

CWT’s Ekert: Demand Is Tricky But Investment Priorities Must Include Innovation

Like all travel management companies, CWT has had a grueling year. It’s expecting more of the same until there’s a vaccine or an appreciable return to the office. This makes strategic planning challenging. Complicating matters is that not many corporate clients are good at predicting what they need during “normal” times. How do you ready…

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