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Hotels aren’t just places to sleep anymore - they’re becoming ecosystems designed to support how we work, connect, and travel. On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with IHG's Mel Bell to explore how the hotel landscape is evolving for business traveler today. From the role of technology and AI to the growing influence of younger travelers on amenities like communal workspaces, Mel shares how hotel brands are adapting to meet shifting expectations. She also offers practical tips for travel managers on strengthening conversations with hotel partners. It’s a fast-paced look at the future of hospitality and what it means for managed travel.

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Ever wonder why your hotel program just isn’t working for you or your travelers? You spend time and money every year souring your program, so you should be seeing returns, right? 

Not so fast. 

Before heading in your annual hotel sourcing this year, take a step back and assess if you’re truly set up for success. On this episode, Chad and Miriam are joined Advito’s Global Hotel Practice Lead, Jennifer Nicholas, to discuss what you need to do before you start sourcing.

 From getting your policy in good shape, to diving into your data to determine where you need to make changes, it’s important to not just do what you’ve always done – but really focus on where you can drive value.

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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We’re surrounded by more data than ever, but how do we turn mountains of data into manageable insights? In this episode, Chad and Miriam talk with April Bridgeman, Managing Director of BCD’s consulting arm, Advito, to explore how AI is changing the data game for travel managers.

April shares the latest trends her team is seeing, plus practical ways AI can uncover fresh, actionable insights from the data most travel programs already have. From overcoming policy hurdles and security concerns to navigating the basics of prompting, she offers smart, sustainable tips for getting started without feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re ready to work with your data instead of feeling buried by it, this one’s for you.

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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We’re at the halfway point of 2025. And on this podcast that can only mean one thing: Rossana Martin is back to connect with Chad and Miriam about the state of our industry! 

 As usual, Rossana takes us "around the world" to discuss industry insights, giving special attention to air and hotel rates in each global region and how rates might change throughout the rest of 2025. Rossana all gives tips on what questions travel managers should be asking about AI and their travel program. 

 If you have a global travel program or simply want to know what's going on in the world of business travel, this episode is a must listen! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Delta Air Lines' Christopher Crowder-Bromley, General Manager, B2B Marketing. While Delta is celebrating their 100th anniversary, they're also doubling down on their investment into business travel programs. Christopher details three major solutions specifically built for business travel, shares Delta's 'why' when it comes to business travel, and is challenged to list all the exciting enhancements that are setting Delta apart in the business travel world. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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It seems as though every year there are some new buzz words in the world of business travel. On this episode, Chad and Miriam explore one of 2025’s buzz words: ROI, or return on investment. The duo is joined by Matt Patterson, Senior Director with BCD’s consulting arm Advito, and Matt highlights that ROI is more than just obvious savings. For example, investing in a comprehensive travel risk management program might lead to favorable insurance premiums. Tune in and learn how your travel program can achieve more bang with its buck! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Want to boost traveler engagement while driving program adoption? You’re not alone! On this episode, Chad and Miriam are joined by Hannah Kahn and Melia McFarland from BCD's travel commerce product team to talk all things messaging. It’s no surprise that travel managers everywhere are looking for tools that improve the traveler experience, boost compliance, and keep their employees connected. Hannah and Melia give expert insight into why delivering the right message, at the right time, through the right channel can make all the difference to business travelers. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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While International Women's Day might have been March 8 this year, it's always the right time to celebrate women. On this episode, host Miriam Moscovici is joined by guest host Sydney Kessler, and the pair connect with three of BCD's leaders who have all taken different paths to success. Leslie West, global SVP, Shelley Fletcher-Bryant, VP with BCD's consulting arm Advito, and Silvia Negri, Sr. Director with BCD's Latin American program management team, all share their views on the work that still needs to be done. The trio also have a moment of vulnerability and discuss what advice they would give to their younger selves. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Disaster can strike anywhere, at any time, and to anyone—so is your travel program prepared? Are your travelers informed of their options if disaster ever affects them? In this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with three leaders from BCD’s Global Crisis Management team to discuss this crucial topic. Jorge Mesa, Sr. Director, Christine Connolly, Sr. Program Manager, and Lise Levesque, Sr. Program Manager, all share their insights and suggestions on how to build the best travel risk management program. Their biggest tip? Host a Traveler Security Program Assessment. The trio also highlights common gaps and offers their advice to travel managers.

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Did you know that there are over 35,000 different visa and entry requirement configurations across the world? And those requirements change all the time! How can travel programs, travel managers, and travelers themselves keep up to date for seamless entry? Well, that's what Chad and Miriam discuss on this episode of Connections with G3 Global Services COO, Charlie Cobb. G3 has spent decades navigating the complexities of entry requirements and developing deep relationships with consulates globally. If you're a global traveler or travel manager, this episode is for you! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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On this episode, Chad and Miriam are once again joined by Alissa Merlino, Sr. Director, Global Solutions Engineering. Alissa covers the how and why behind taking your technology temperature check. She offers practical advice on how to truly know what's important to your travelers, your travel program, and your C-suite. Alissa also digs into weighing the importance of what's new and exciting versus what's trusted and true. This is a can't miss episode before we dive into our technology-focused season on Connections. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Chad and Miriam are back for season 3 of the Connections podcast. On this episode, the duo discuss the upcoming season and what travel managers can expect to hear after subscribing. They’re also joined by Kjarsten Philipsen, SVP, Program Management, Jorge Cruz, EVP, Global Sales and Marketing, April Bridgeman, SVP, Advito, and Thad Slaton, SVP, Global Marketing. This quick episode is coupled with our first topic of the season, already published and ready for listening! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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As we close out 2024, our final season 2 episode connects Chad and Miriam with BCD's CEO, Stephan Baars, and CCO, Mike Janssen. Through the many laughs and fun stories on this episode, Stephan and Mike talk about the business travel industry as a whole, where BCD will be making investments, and what to expect from in 2025. This episode also includes personal messages to BCD colleagues, partners, customers and more from both Stephan and Mike ... as well as an update on Mike's love of avocado toast. 

Stay plugged into BCD social media channels for the announcement of our season 3 launch date. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Rossana Martin is back to connect with Chad and Miriam about the state of our industry and this is one episode you don't want to miss! 

As usual, Rossana takes us "around the world" to discuss industry insights, giving special attention to air and hotel rates in each global region and how rates might change in 2025.

If you have a global travel program, or simply want to know what's going on in the world of business travel, this episode is a must listen! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Self-care isn’t always easy. Especially when your travel program doesn’t prioritize traveler wellbeing. On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Amélie Losanes, one of Advito’s expert managing consultants, about the importance of traveler wellness and the steps companies can take to push wellness forward. Plus, she shares some top tips on how travelers can take control of their own wellness when on the road.

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Connections Success Stories showcase how our clients use BCD technology to optimize their travel programs. These quick stories highlight what BCD has done for clients, and what we could potentially do for yours.  

On this episode, Chad connects with Gabby Davis, multi-national program manager, and the pair discuss how a global company faced issues with budget-busting air bookings and how BCD's team of experts were able to use our data and analytics solution to make quick changes that resulted in program savings within one quarter. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Alissa Merlino, Sr. Director, Global Solutions Engineering, joins Miriam and Chad on this episode for a conversation around spend management - from a slightly different angle. Alissa constantly has conversations with travel managers, travel buyers, and spend management vendors and sometimes those conversations lead to debunking misconceptions. On this episode, Alissa shares some of the more popular misconceptions around T&E spend management and what her take is on the truth. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Connections Success Stories showcase how our clients use BCD technology to optimize their travel programs. These quick stories highlight what BCD has done for clients, and what we could potentially do for yours.  

 On this episode, Chad connects with Tara Volpintesta, global program manager who works closely with this success story’s account. Tara shares how fully engaging every part of BCD's network enabled this company to save nearly $4 million dollars U.S. within a few months. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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It seems like you can’t go a day in business travel without hearing the term NDC - why are we still talking about it? On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Thane Jackson, SVP, global distribution strategy. Thane shares his perspective on why the NDC conversation should have just stayed in the background, how NDC is shaping business travel, and advice for travel managers to ensure their programs are optimized for the best content. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Most of us assume that air leakage (or off-program/ off-channel bookings) are a thing of the past, right? We have new technologies and innovations that have solved the issue. Well, in this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Olivier Benoit, Senior VP with BCD's consulting arm Advito and what Olivier shares might surprise you. Listen in as the trio talks about why air leakage is becoming an issue again and what programs can (and should) do to course correct. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Rossana Martin is back to connect with Chad and Miriam about the state of our industry and this is one episode you don't want to miss! 

Rossana takes us "around the world" to discuss industry insights, giving special attention to air and hotel rates in each global region, as well as what she's hearing about A.I. and advice for travelers. 

If you have a global travel program, or simply want to know what's going on in the world of business travel, this episode is a must listen! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Happy Pride month! On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Patrick Pickens, V.P. of global sales and Christine Connolley, Sr. Manager, global crisis management, and the quad discuss the realities of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community in business travel. Christine details her views from a risk management perspective, and Patrick discusses his insights as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and as someone who talks with global travel managers daily. This important episode even sheds light on how to increase safety for your colleagues as an ally. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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On this episode, we’re celebrating Earth Day as Chad and Miriam connect with Jerome Cochet, Co-founder and CEO at our BCD marketplace partner goodcarbon. Jerome explains how we can’t solve the climate crisis until we address the nature crisis, why travel programs should focus on high-quality, nature-based projects to help meet their sustainability goals, and how viewpoints around science-based emissions reduction targets are changing. Tune in to learn more fun facts and tell us how your company will be celebrating Earth Day this year! 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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Travel managers are busy. They need answers to questions and data insights when they want them, and those answers need to be custom built and flexible. But travel data is not known for being fast, or flexible. In fact, digesting travel data often results in lengthy wait periods and hours of sorting and pivot tables. Sound familiar?

On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Kate Shirley, Product Director with BCD's Travel Data Insights team about how we're changing the data game and giving travel managers answers to their questions in an instant. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/

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What's the difference in neurodiversity and a neurodivergent person? On this episode, Chad and Miriam explore that topic and what programs need to know about their neurodivergent traveler population. Joining the conversation are Yvette Bryant, SVP of DE&I at BCD Travel as well as Robert Shen and Sandra Kaspar from United Airlines. Both Robert and Sandra serve on United's DE&I board and discuss what the airline and the travel industry as a whole are doing to ensure that neurodivergent travel is enjoyable and inclusive for all. 

Learn more by visiting https://www.bcdtravel.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcd-travel/