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Posted Oct 3, 2008
Re: GUEST: Consultant O'Neil-Dunne On Air Taxes, Fees And The GDS Model
"I realize that Timothy O'Neil-Dunne meant no disrespect but the only time I have heard the below phrase, it was meant as a damaging and racially insensitive phrase and therefore I am surprised and disappointed it was used in this otherwise interesting commentary:
'However, this is a real tar baby of a problem.' "
O'Neil-Dunne replies: "In my guest article, I used an expression that could be misconstrued as insensitive. I apologize unreservedly should anyone take offense at the use of language."
Posted Oct 2, 2008
To help green-conscious travelers rank hotel properties that claim to be environmentally friendly, a new Web site launched by Whole Travel--a company that encourages ecotourism--provides users with a chart that can determine how much of an impact individual properties have on the environment. The site is focused on tourism rather than business travel, but it's not hard to imagine such a site for any type of property.
Posted Oct 1, 2008
Click "Patrick Grady recording" below to listen to or right-click to download the MP3 file recording of Rearden Commerce's Patrick Grady. He is introduced by Dave Hilfman of Continental Airlines and questioned by ProMedia.travel's Jay Campbell using queries submitted by readers of The Beat.
Patrick Grady recording
Follow along using this PDF: Patrick Grady questions
Rearden Commerce founder, chairman and CEO Patrick Grady
Posted Sept 29, 2008
BCD Travel launched a series of podcasts based on its Insight on Corporate Travel publication and hosted by free podcast hosting company PodBean.com. The broadcasts also are on iTunes.
They start out with a commercial for BCD and its publication, but eventually (about one minute in) offer a variety of BCD's and Advito's comments on industry issues. The questions sound canned--coming from a radio voice which is presented as belonging to an interviewer who isn't identified--but the answers are more natural, though obviously prepared.
Posted Sept 29, 2008
Nothing has fired up our readers more than politics, and the heat came from all sides. Two readers even left the kitchen, but we'll keep cooking. Here are two responses ...
Re: FEATURE: McCain, Obama And The Issues
"I had hoped this series would be unbiased; however, clearly The Beat is Republican. Repeatedly quoting Mike Boyd, a respected consultant but obviously a Republican, is slanted. And his personal attacks on Obama are insulting ('crackpots' and 'yums yums'). Very disappointing."
~ Debbie Everts, Delta Air Lines
Re: The Beat Readers Favor Obama
"After that article, please remove me from your list."
~ Delta Air Lines account manager
"It's hard to believe that most readers think somebody who has little experience with anything but campaigning would have a clue as to how to make any of those campaign promises become reality. Unless, of course, these folks are prepared to open up their wallets to cover the costs of 'change.' "
~ TMC manager
Posted Sept 28, 2008
Re: 5Q With Robert Crandall
Almost by reflex, when Bob Crandall utters something for publication, I question its validity and his honesty. This report is far more eloquent and far less nasty than his usual observations. I think he deserves a good audience, particularly on surface transportation. I think that he missed an important point: surface transportation should be convenient to airports.
In several cities surface transportation is well-connected to air travel: ATL, PHL, EWR, BOS(?), STL, ORD, MDW. But usage is very modest. Airport employees make up the bulk of ridership. That's stupid!
~ Rolfe Shellenberger
Posted Sept 26, 2008
Apologize for the slight delay in posting my observations about Day Two of The Beat Live conference in Cleveland this week.
I would like to say that this conference was really unlike the bulk of the conferences I've attended in this industry over the last decade. I told Jay Campbell that I thought that the candor shown by everyone (audience and speakers alike) was truly astounding in a public forum, but that perhaps it is because The Beat writes such honest observations of this industry to begin with. So perhaps there is no fear in telling the truth. That's the way it seemed anyway!
Day two of the conference focused on innovation, both in pricing and in functionality.
Posted Sept 26, 2008
Source: The Beat Sept. 2008 Reader Poll
Posted Sept 26, 2008
At this week's inaugural edition of The Beat Live in Cleveland, attendees got a healthy (or, at least, large) dose of politics as The Beat's Jay Campbell presented results of The Beat's Election '08 Reader Poll and consultant Tom Wilkinson took the audience through a rundown of the two presidential candidates' positions on issues related to business travel. Linked below, the presentations built upon The Beat's recent three-part series on McCain, Obama And The Issues.
"The News," presented by Jay Campbell (PDF)
"The Views," presented by Tom Wilkinson (PDF)
Posted Sept 24, 2008
The Beat's readers named Continental Airlines their most admired airline and also 2008 Supplier Of The Year, ProMedia.travel announced today here during The Beat Live.
Polled between Sept. 2 and Sept. 13, readers of The Beat were asked which company in each of six supplier segments they "most admire for its policies, management style and service for business clients." Those who voted for their own company were disqualified.
Other winners included:
• American Express for most admired payment system
• Hertz for most admired car rental company
• Marriott International for most admired hotel company
• Concur as most admired technology provider
• Carlson Wagonlit Travel as the most admired travel management company
(from left) The Beat founder Jay Campbell, Continental Airlines SVP of sales Dave Hilfman and ProMedia.travel CEO Tim Reid
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