Business Travelers Unite

[NightOfPassion2]

Is anyone traveling internationally these days?

Havent since 2016 - China and Croatia....all my jobs of late have been more just west coast.

 

[AlpineFresco]

I apparently have a business trip, a flight to the office, around a year from now. I don't know how confident I am that it will happen, but... that's what I'm told!

 

[lighterman75]

Covid has shown that in my job, business travel is almost redundant. I could do with a workshop with some people, but we can do 95% of that on a teams call from the comfort of our home sweet ups.
Sad days.

 

[slightcrazed]

I used to chat regularly with the woman who started this thread. She was cool but she disappeared and literally everything she ever posted is gone. I wonder what ever happened to her.

Just me reminiscing...carry on, y’all.

 

[Rainydaythings]

.....

 

[FunLi]

I think about the same thing. Relationship building, networking, and events/conferences can all be done (to some degree) online, and we keep getting better at it.

With the exception of site visits, i'm not sure there will be enough ROI in business travel as it was before.

I agree but I also think there’s just something extra that’s added when you meet with a client, colleague or whatever it is in person that you don’t get virtually.

Anywho, hotels seem to be alive and well here in RVA.

 

[Rainydaythings]

.....

 

[ef_oh_ex]

i absolutely agree, but unfortunately I don't think there's enough real data to prove that ROI when they see the incredible amount of money they can save without any real drop in client engagement/satisfaction.

When I traveled, the focus was more on problem resolution by a reputable facilitator to avoid the impact of human resources issues at manufacturing facilities (often pro-actively, but sometimes after conflicts arose). Budgeting was certainly involved (no blank checks issued - lol), but ROI was not an issue when compared to a possibly major disruption in the supply chain.

 

[Rainydaythings]

.....

 

[Nasium]

Totes. That’s why I mentioned site visits (general) as the exception. There will be some but I assume business travel will be down by a large percentage in other areas even after we get vaccines, etc.

I noticed a change in the average business traveler started after 2008, started noticing fewer and fewer suits in business/first class. More and more hard hats, work boots and hi-vis clothes. It was slowly swinging back to the suits the last few years. I think we’ll see if go back to the 2008-12 demographics, maybe permanently.

It makes sense, the hands on people still have to travel.

 

[spanishstud]

I’ll be heading to Nashville Tennessee in a few weeks. Would appreciate some suggestions for places to check out, hopefully they are open.

 

[Yesplzzz00]

Staying in a hotel this week. Not many in the hotel. At least it was quite

 

[StrngHnds_2RuleU]

Hotels are open

Been traveling a bit lately. Going to SC tomorrow for Monday meetings. Will be a boring night but if any ladies are looking to chat, my kik is Corey.Roadking2015
Have faith, travel will return even if not as often as before.

 

[lighterman75]

I agree but I also think there’s just something extra that’s added when you meet with a client, colleague or whatever it is in person that you don’t get virtually.

Anywho, hotels seem to be alive and well here in RVA.

Gain so much more from 2or3 days face to face with a colleague, than you ever can on zoom or teams calls or emails. The body language, the tone of voice to go with facial expression, means you get to know that person a lot better. I miss those days.

 

[FunLi]

Gain so much more from 2or3 days face to face with a colleague, than you ever can on zoom or teams calls or emails. The body language, the tone of voice to go with facial expression, means you get to know that person a lot better. I miss those days.

Exactly. Even though you won’t see a numerical ROI right away, it’s the long run that counts.

 

[Nasium]

Hitting road tomorrow for rest of the week. Driving not flying, here is dilemma, bars restaurants are carry out only, and I don’t do fast food. Do I just load a cooler with food and beverages? Take chances with carry out? Combination?

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

 

[Tomduncan1008]

Orlando bound

Traveling to Orlando. Thank goodness Florida restaurants are fine in.

 

[KyleR215]

staying outside of dulles.

first business trip in months

 

[Gamine67]

Hitting road tomorrow for rest of the week. Driving not flying, here is dilemma, bars restaurants are carry out only, and I don’t do fast food. Do I just load a cooler with food and beverages? Take chances with carry out? Combination?

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

You “don’t do fast food” but you eat in bars? (Only judging, just a little)

Even in the “before times” if I’m on-the-road I graze out of supermarkets for pre-made salads and smoothies.

 

[Nasium]

You “don’t do fast food” but you eat in bars? (Only judging, just a little)

Even in the “before times” if I’m on-the-road I graze out of supermarkets for pre-made salads and smoothies.

Believe it or not you can find decent relatively healthy meals in bars, most places I’m going would be considered bar/restaurants. Not greasy bar burgers and fries. But I do understand where you’re coming from. I say bar because when eating solo I usually sit at bar so can watch TV and flirt with bartenders and waitresses easier.

Leaning towards supermarket/cooler route.

 

[FunLi]

Hitting road tomorrow for rest of the week. Driving not flying, here is dilemma, bars restaurants are carry out only, and I don’t do fast food. Do I just load a cooler with food and beverages? Take chances with carry out? Combination?

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

I do a little of everything. I’ll pack some things, grab a bite as carry out a night or two, etc. When bars and restaurants were carry out only on my trips earlier this year it wasn’t bad, just a long wait. Still the same way for some places as more people are opting for carry out even when they are open for dining in.

 

[Nasium]

I do a little of everything. I’ll pack some things, grab a bite as carry out a night or two, etc. When bars and restaurants were carry out only on my trips earlier this year it wasn’t bad, just a long wait. Still the same way for some places as more people are opting for carry out even when they are open for dining in.

Good point on the wait, I’ll do 1st night from things I pack then check with the locals and see how things are with restaurants. Might not be bad as lots of wrinkles were ironed out 1st time things shutdown, hopefully operating smoother now.

Thankfully cold enough here cooler in trunk won’t even need ice!

 

[NEOhio1972]

Hi travelers!!!! Back in a hotel for me tonight....many people out there?

 

[Yesplzzz00]

Just a few vehicles in the hotel parking lot. All quite inside

 

[Muhndoggie]

Oh how I wish the good old days of hotel shenanigans were still in effect. Wouldn’t mind finding somebody after a few drinks in the mood to slip into our rooms and get down and dirty.