The airline's recent agreements with Amadeus and Travelport signal a turning point in its distribution strategy. This is a big deal for travel management companies.
Southwest has been a thorn in the side of many travel management companies. Now they have a shot at a mutually beneficial relationship with the airline.
The masses of attendees boarding flights and using cars is a big reason why events have such a negative environmental impact. Transportation needs to be a central focus for planners looking for greener events.
Getting rid of plastic straws is nice, but the biggest positive impact will come from cutting back on plane trips and the use of gas-powered cars. At first, these changes may seem overly inconvenient, but that feeling will lessen once attendee expectations start to shift.
A lot of the same issues that plagued conference Wi-Fi 10 years ago are still around today, even as good internet becomes more and more of a necessity.
Travel management startups are targeting employees at small businesses, in the hopes they'll influence management. This strategy is working, and even larger companies are starting to change the way they design their travel policies.