Gant Travel Management

08/28/2024

Labor Day weekend is (almost) here!

Many in the travel industry consider this period to be the “unofficial end” of the busy summer season… which means – it’s about to get even busier on the roads and in the skies.

Experts reported overall domestic travel levels in the US will be approximately 9% higher than they were last year.
https://zurl.co/XOcL

Plus, more than 17 million travelers are expected to pass through airport security checkpoints from August 29 until September 4.
https://zurl.co/KwcG

will be around all weekend to help you with any obstacles or disruptions that may present themselves (Gant-booked reservations, of course).

See how else we can support your traveling team here:
https://zurl.co/IthH

08/23/2024

Waiting for an opportunity to catch in action again?

If so, we have some good news…
The wait is almost over!

There’s a few appearances coming up on our fall calendars –

First up:
Our SVP of Strategic Partnerships, Chad Seybold, is one of the featured speakers at the Domo Connections Tour in Chicago, IL, on September 9th! If you want to learn about how our partnership with Domo allows us to keep improving our array of reporting/analytics offerings (or just want to ‘chop it up’ with Chad), register NOW!
bit.ly/4fPrnb8

And then:
Our very own Jim Conner and Luke Schulta will be representing Gant at CallMiner from October 7-9 in Dallas, TX! Don’t miss the chance to see them participate in a LIVE panel discussion about how we use conversation insights to ensure employee well-being on the last day of the conference. More details below.
bit.ly/473rsnB

The countdown to both of these AWESOME events is officially ON… ⌛

We’re ready to see you there!

08/13/2024

We don’t mean to boast, but…
HUGE congratulations are in order – FOR OURSELVES!

*drum roll, please?*

has officially ranked at number 2,125 on this year’s list!

(Yes, you read that right… we made the TOP HALF OF THE LIST – the one honoring the fastest-growing independent companies in the US!)

We’ve been working extremely hard towards our goal of be(coming) the best travel management company (TMC) on the planet for a while now. And to be recognized on such a scale is a testament of that hard work and dedication from ALL of our team members.

But… this is just the beginning…
We’re only going to keep growing, innovating, and (as Inc. 5000 says) building the future!

Check out the full 2024 list at the link below:
https://zurl.co/F1o1

08/06/2024

Ever since the official (and let’s just call it… abrupt) roll out of New Distribution Capability (NDC) fares in early 2023, there’s been an onslaught of updates…

And more updates…
And more updates…
And of course, MORE UPDATES…

Which have made it increasingly difficult to keep up in this ever-changing business travel landscape.

No matter how overwhelming it might be, knows just how important it is to stay in the loop on topics like this. Especially when NDC could provide significant cost savings for your organization.

That’s why we’re committed to helping you and keep you informed on the latest developments as they become available – including everything from airline updates, to industry updates, to our own internal updates.

As part of this commitment, we’ve compiled all the pertinent changes you should be aware of in our newest blog post. And trust us – you’re going to want to see this.

Read it now at the link below:
https://zurl.co/a8KI

Good question. You might’ve noticed from recent headlines there’s been a TON of updates surrounding NDC fares lately.

07/26/2024

It’s officially official…
The business travel industry is stronger than ever! 👀

(We don’t mean to sound like ‘know-it-alls’ or anything, but of course, we knew that already).

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) predicted that 2024 will be a record-breaking year for business travel spend. New data shows companies are going to spend more on business travel by the end of this year than they did in pre-pandemic times.

If these estimations come true (and surely they will), business travel spend is expected to recover to approximately 103% of 2019 levels.

But… Don’t call it a comeback…
Business travel was always here to stay!

See the rest of the data here:
https://zurl.co/muvS

Citing a resilient economy and increasing if scattershot demand, the Global Business Travel Association projects 2024 global business travel spending to exceed 2019 figures, the association announced Monday. Inflation-adjusted figures, however, remain short of 2019 levels.

07/23/2024

We’re sure you’ve heard about the recent global Microsoft outage by now…

But, just in case you haven’t, here’s a quick recap –
A mass IT outage impacting Microsoft cloud services occurred in the early morning of July 19, 2024. Caused by a glitch during a routine software update, major airlines, medical facilities, police departments, and other businesses were left without a means to properly communicate and complete regular workflows.
https://zurl.co/RtLq

Though the glitch has since been fixed, there’s still some lingering issues for multiple industries. Particularly for US airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines.

Thousands of flights got delayed or cancelled due to the unexpected communications troubles during the outage. Of course, this resulted in turmoil across the travel industry that has yet to be fully resolved (despite the best efforts of everyone involved).

At Gant, our systems weren’t directly affected, but we’ve been closely monitoring the situation. Per usual, we maintained an extremely low average call hold-time (under four minutes to be exact), while most travelers waited at least a few hours if directly contacting the airlines. We’ve also ensured the necessary travel waivers are being provided to our clients when available.

Supporting you (and your team) is always our top priority – especially in times like these.

Curious what else can do to help you better handle travel changes/challenges as they present themselves?
Learn more here: https://zurl.co/DmpE

07/10/2024

Considering how abrupt the official introduction of New Distribution Capability (NDC) fares was in early 2023, most of us have likely been overwhelmed at one point or another as we tried to navigate this (pretty complex) offering…

Now that it’s been close to a year and a half since the initial commotion began, we think it’s safe to say that airlines, GDSs, and travel management companies (TMCs) - like us - are getting to a much better place with NDC across the board.

In fact – just announced that we’ve added another connection to our growing list of NDC-compatible airlines within our in-house online booking tool (OBT), TripCircuit.

Which means… our clients can book NDC fares provided by American Airlines, United Airlines, and (newly added) Air Canada online!

We also have the capabilities to offer NDC content from nearly a dozen other airlines when booking through a full-service Gant agent, including Avianca Airlines, FinnAir, Iberia Airways, LOT - Polish Airways, Qatar Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Plus, Lufthansa Airlines and British Airways are set to join our lineup soon.

And…
AND…
We’re definitely not stopping there!

More on this NDC update at the link below:
https://zurl.co/jy54

Gant Travel announced the integration of Air Canada New Distribution Capability (NDC) content into its TripCircuit online booking tool.

07/04/2024

wishes you a fun and festive holiday!

Stay safe (and cool) out there 🙌🎆🧨🔥

06/28/2024

Not to toot our own horn, but…

keeps getting better…
and better…
and BETTER!

*Which is the goal, after all – to be(come) the best TMC on the planet.
And we think our new innovations are helping us do just that…*

ICYMI: We officially launched our new “15-minute implementation” process to completely transform the onboarding experience! Our new clients will now be able to access/utilize their online booking tool (OBT) of choice within 15 MINUTES of completing the required travel program details.

We’re extremely proud to be able to offer companies the opportunity to start harnessing the benefits of a managed travel program quicker than ever before!

More details?
Check out the full press release at the link below:
https://zurl.co/eEm0

Gant Travel Turbo Charges Onboarding With '15-Minute Implementation' Process Press Release • Jun 25, 2024 BLOOMINGTON, Ind., June 25, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Gant Travel, a leader in the travel management industry, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative “15-minute implementation” proc...

06/26/2024

It’s time to *humbly* roll out the red carpet (if we do say so ourselves)…
Because…

We made THE LIST – again!

is officially ranked number 30 on the 2024 Travel Weekly .

And it’s only up from here.
(Considering we held onto the same ranking as last year, that proves we’re NOT planning on slowing down anytime soon… or ever).

HUGE thank you to Travel Weekly for the recognition!
https://zurl.co/jcrB

06/20/2024

Still waiting to renew your passport?

If yes, we have some good news…

The U.S. State Department (DOS) officially relaunched their online passport renewal portal!
https://zurl.co/oBaI

That means… You might be able to complete the entire renewal process from the comfort of your own home (or office, or on the go, or pretty much anywhere you have internet access)…

Applicants must be at least 25 years old, hold a current/expired passport with a 10-year validity period, and not require any changes to their name, gender, or date of birth on their new documentation to be eligible to use the service.

More information about the online renewal process is available here:
https://zurl.co/fDiC

The State Department, which manages the distribution of passports, announced a new beta test of an online passport renewal program.

06/18/2024

Those of us in business travel can all agree on one thing:
We’ve got to be willing to embrace change…

(Especially when it comes to business travel tech).

At Gant, we live and breathe this constant, fast-paced change. We’re always looking for ways to keep providing a better experience for you (and all your travelers). Same goes for our partners.

As a result, you’ve likely noticed - or will very soon - that how your company’s Online Booking Tool (OBT) of choice works/looks/feels may seem entirely new to you…

That’s because of some major User Interface / User Experience (UI/UX) developments happening across the industry right now.

Wondering how these developments will impact your travel program?
Check out our latest blog post for more info:
https://zurl.co/w0rX

The travel industry is more tech-centric than ever before. You might be noticing some major differences in your online booking experience as User Interface / User Experience (UI/UX) developments continue.

06/16/2024

Today we celebrate all father figures – you deserve it! 👔 🎉

hopes you’re having a relaxing day with your loved ones.

06/07/2024

What’s better than a good photo-op?!
(If you ask us… not much).

ICYMI: Our operations team was in attendance at this week – June 3rd - 6th!

Per usual, it was an action-packed event that allowed us to collaborate with other leaders in the (CX) world… AND gain valuable access to the latest tools, technology, and techniques that will continue to drive our business to even greater heights.

When it’s all said and done, we always leave conferences feeling empowered to keep providing our customers with their last best experience.

Hoping to catch us at their next event?
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3XdajF1

06/07/2024

Gant Travel Management Travel is continuing to set the bar high in terms of agent performance and .

From automated QA to -powered contact summarization, hear how the company is using CallMiner to streamline call center operations and gain a holistic view of the customer.
https://learning.callminer.com/c/customer-video-gant-automates-qa?x=CFl8z6&lx=amFxJO

06/05/2024

We’ve got another important announcement to make!
(Before you say it…we know… there’s been a lot of them lately).

This time – it’s because itself is continuing to grow… and change…

You might’ve heard from today’s headlines:
We’ve officially appointed a new Chief Operating Officer (COO)!

Victor (Vic) Pynn is the latest to join our team 🎉
With an impressive career spanning over 25 years in the travel and technology industries, he brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision that will be invaluable to our organization.

Congratulations, Vic 👏 We’re so excited to have you!

Read more about this change and what’s in store for our company here:
https://bit.ly/4cawK2b

Gant Travel Appoints New Chief Operating Officer (COO) Press Release • Jun 5, 2024 07:00 EDT BLOOMINGTON, Ind., June 5, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Effective June 3, 2024, Victor (Vic) Pynn has joined Gant Travel Management as our new Chief Operating Officer. With an impressive career spanning over 25 y...

05/30/2024

If you travel for work (or manage a travel program), chances are you’ve become familiar with New Distribution Capability (NDC) fares over the last year or so – and it’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it?

While the introduction of NDC content by American Airlines in April 2023 may have initially been overwhelming, we want to thank them for acknowledging the challenges we’ve faced…

In a recent statement, CEO Robert Isom expressed “regret” for the rapid rollout of NDC fares within their direct booking channels. But here’s the good news: American Airlines is listening and evolving.

They’re now committed to meeting customers where they are, including through traditional platforms like Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), which many travel management companies (TMCs) - like - rely on to fulfill bookings.

That’s a HUGE WIN for all of us in business travel 👏

Read more about American Airlines’ positive steps forward here:
https://zurl.co/RhLX

CEO Robert Isom said Wednesday that going forward the airline must do more to enhance and promote NDC modern retailing instead of removing content from the GDSs.

05/27/2024

Today, we remember and honor the heroes who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their selfless acts of courage and valor will never be forgotten.

05/23/2024

has a BIG announcement to make!

As we continue to , we’ve recently made another addition to our partnerships/services…

That is…
*drum roll, please?*...

SAFETOGO travel notifications!

Starting early next week, we’re going to be sending out proactive notifications to all of our clients whose trips may be impacted by common travel obstacles.

These will cover everything from… Weather-related events ☑️ to natural disasters ☑️ to public safety concerns ☑️ – and more!

Curious what else we’re doing to support you (and all your travelers)?
Learn more here: https://zurl.co/h3OA

05/14/2024

Memorial Day weekend is known to be HUGE for the travel industry…

However, experts are reporting that upcoming demand levels will be far from status-quo.

In fact – AAA Travel just predicted travel numbers in the U.S. should reach higher than they’ve been in almost two decades!
https://zurl.co/AhyU

Now’s the time for you (and your travelers) to get prepared. Forecast says: crowded airports, packed highways, (and of course… higher prices) are on the way.

Learn about how can help you in our ever-growing industry:
https://zurl.co/4L02

05/12/2024

To all the mother figures out there – THANK YOU for all you do!

You are truly appreciated, today and every day. 💐🫶

05/08/2024

Have you heard?

The air travel game is about to undergo some pretty major changes…

Effective October 28, 2024, new Department of Transportation (DOT) policies will require U.S. based airlines to provide full automatic refunds to travelers who experience a “significant flight change” within the airline’s control.

But, that’s not all… Not even close…

Check out our latest blog post for the rest of the details on this rule (and a few others coming soon):
https://zurl.co/BvwB

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will soon enforce new refund and fee policies for airlines that better protect consumers.

05/03/2024

May is upon us!

And if you’re familiar with the travel industry at all, you likely know what that means…

The busy summer season is right around the corner!

Many consider Memorial Day weekend to be the ‘unofficial kick-off’ of heightened travel demand that should last over the next few months.

As always, is here to support you and your travelling team – no matter how busy it gets on the roads and in the skies.

See how at the link below:
https://zurl.co/m492

04/12/2024

You know what they say…
"April showers bring May flowers!" ☔ 🌷

They also bring weather-related travel disruptions.

If you're a frequent business traveler, we're sure you have some rainy-season horror stories.

Of course… can’t predict what Mother Nature has in store (can anyone?...), but we can help your team face the unknown changes/challenges of the future with confidence.

See how at the link below:
https://zurl.co/q1ZW

03/19/2024

IN. THE. BUILDING.

If you’re not at with us… you should be 😉

Be sure to stop by booth 504 – we’re here until March 21 (that’s Thursday, btw)!

03/12/2024

March is known to be a BIG month for the travel industry.
It’s also known for various St. Patrick’s Day events.

But that’s not all we celebrate this month…

March is also !
And in case you missed it – the end of last week (March 8th to be exact) was International Women’s Day.

This year we have some extra special celebrating to do here at Gant.
As part of this year’s celebrations, our partners at Talkdesk are spotlighting ...

And…
Our very own Stephanie Parker made the list!
https://bit.ly/4asWhTt

Here’s some of her nomination:
“(Stephanie’s) work helps set her team up for success so they can, in turn, be the best group possible to create a strong customer experience.”

Congratulations, Stephanie 👏
We are so grateful you’re a part of ! Thank you for everything you do!

And thank you to all the other amazing, dedicated women who help us strive for our goal of be(com)ing the best TMC on the planet.

03/07/2024

The countdown to is officially on!

Getting ready to head to Vegas soon?

So is !
Stay tuned for more details…

We hope to see you there March 19 - 21!
https://zurl.co/7LMu

02/27/2024

Travel demand keeps going up… and up…

And most of us can guess what that means:
So are travel prices.

(You can see the data in Business Travel News's new article here: https://zurl.co/GSxA).

You’re going to need a friend in the industry who knows how to keep your travel program ready for fluctuations like these – which happen ALL. THE. TIME.

Not that we’re magicians who can control travel costs or anything, but automatically gives our clients access to exclusive discounts from a wide range of partners/vendors/suppliers on day one. Plus, we can negotiate additional discounts on your behalf.

Learn more about how we’ll help you at the link below:
https://zurl.co/vXRv

02/08/2024

For all of us who travel for work (or manage a travel program), there’s been one convoluted culprit behind an influx of process updates, questions, and quite frankly… a little bit of chaos.

That is: New Distribution Capability.
Or, since the travel industry loves a good acronym, NDC.

It’s been almost a year since many of the major airlines made headlines and began offering these new ticket packages and continuous pricing models – solely available outside traditional GDS/EDIFACT channels. And smaller airlines have been quick to follow suit.

But most of us are still finding our way with NDC… and some remain unsure on what’s included (and what’s not) with an NDC ticket.

NDC is here to stay, though.
Which means NDC fares are just another way we all need to to keep up with this fast-paced, tech-centric era.

What does adding NDC to your program for 2024 look like?

Check out our latest post:
https://zurl.co/5if4

A new, tech-centric era of corporate travel has arrived and it includes booking NDC fares for business travel.

01/26/2024

It’s time for another announcement!

Our partnership with Lufthansa City Center International (LCCI) is growing (already)...

Chad Seybold, Gant’s SVP of Strategic Partnerships, was selected to serve as the North American representative on the LCCI advisory board over the next few years. 👏

Congratulations, Chad!