Feb 03
Ashley ChalmersTips for Meeting Planners air travel, best travel practices, identity theft, meeting industry, travel
Think like a spy. 
This was the advice given to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of MPI at a seminar conducted by John Sileo during the January monthly meeting.
John’s background in identity protection came the hard way. His identity was stolen from his business and used to embezzle almost a half-million dollars from his clients.
While the thief (his best friend and business partner) covered his crimes using Sileo’s identity, John and his business were held legally and financially responsible for the felonies committed.
Identity theft is one of America’s fastest growing crimes and a top concern among all Americans.
And to bring it “closer to home,” it turns out that the meetings industry is perhaps the most vulnerable target when it comes to this type of offense. Given our propensity to travel often and with visible technology (i.e. Smart phones, laptops, Blackberries, etc.) while spending large amounts of time in airports, hotels and restaurants – we need to learn to protect ourselves from identity thieves, hackers and cyber spies.
Some of the most aggressive thieves are maids and restaurant workers needing new identities to bring family/friends to our country illegally. Some of the ways to fight back are simple:
- If you have to leave your computer in your hotel room, forgo having your room cleaned that day. Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door to discourage entry.
- If you have to pay by credit card in a restaurant, try to keep the card in sight after you hand it over to the waiter – or take it to the cashier yourself. Better yet…pay cash!
- Do not use unsecured wireless outlets such as Starbucks or airport/hotel “free” internet service in the public domain. These areas are often stalked by “sniffers” who can eavesdrop on unprotected connections.
- Verify your credit card billings on a frequent basis and respond promptly to Account Alerts.
Beyond travel, it is also important to cultivate personal discretion. We need to develop a “Privacy Reflex” that will help us to detect and avoid fraud. Few of us have ever been trained to respond appropriately when someone requests our sensitive information.
Think of how easily you give your data away on the Internet when someone promises you a free gift. To proactively protect valuable information assets, be very defensive if approached with the following comments!
- Trust me!
- I just need a little more of your information…
Our immediate reaction should be interrogation – gain control of the situation by asking aggressive questions. Make them justify why they need the information instead of trusting that they have your best interests in mind.
For more information on building a foundation of personal protection, go to http://www.ThinkLikeASpy.com.
Oct 08
Ashley ChalmersTips air travel, overseas meetings
What is the best way to keep you (and your attendees) safe if you are holding an upcoming meeting in Europe? With the terror alerts announced earlier this week for Americans traveling to European countries, many of your attendees may have reservations about traveling.
Here is some information to help keep everyone thinking rationally and staying safe:
- Industry experts are not fazed by the alert. Steve Lott, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, told MSNBC that this threat is no different than the hightened alert airlines have been operating under for the past ten years.
- Stay vigilant and keep your eyes open: pay closer attention to public areas that do not have a large amount of formal security.
- Beware of unattended packages and loud noises: and move away quickly if anything unusual begins to occur.
- The New York Times points out that “the vagueness of the alert accurately reflected analysts’ uncertainty about the imminence of an attack and the target of any plot.”
- Allow yourself extra time to travel through airport security. Authorities will be taking extra precautions.
What do you think of the threat? Will you change your travel plans? What precautions will you take? Let us know and we’ll add them to this list!
Aug 03
Ashley ChalmersTips for Meeting Planners air travel, economy, meeting ideas
While some airlines have dropped out of the meetings business, others haven’t. Those that remain – including American, Delta, and Continental – each have special offers.
Become familiar with these group programs, which can save a significant portion of your budget:
American Airlines
Groups of 10 or more traveling to the same destination can take advantage of special discounts. If travel dates are confirmed, the airline can guarantee a fare up to 11 months in advance, block the space, assign seats, and delay ticketing requirements. American also guarantees competitive fares from different geographic originations to one destination.
American Airlines destinations include more than 250 cities in 40 countries where American, American Eagle® and AmericanConnection® fly across the country and around the globe. The airline is also a member of the oneworld® Global Alliance and can arrange group travel discounts to more than 700 destinations in the oneworld network.
Groups can also receive reduced rates for Avis® car rentals. Click here for more information.
Delta Air Lines
Through its Delta Meeting Network®, this airline offers discounts off published fares and competitive Zone Fares for groups of 10 or more on all Delta, KLM/AirFrance and Alitalia “Delta coded flights”, Delta Connection Carriers and “Delta coded” code-share partners AT/OK/UH. Discount rates can be used three days before/after a meeting for events in the United States and Canada and up to seven days before/after a meeting in all other countries.
Discounts can be based on single events or multi-meeting agreements. Delta also awards one free ticket for every 40 tickets purchased. Zone Fares offer flexible rules and make it simple to manage airline costs.
With its unsurpassed global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 369 destinations in 67 countries on six continents. Click here for more information.
Continental Airlines
Continental’s GroupWorks program offers special benefits for groups of 10 or more passengers traveling together. GroupWorks provides a flat rate for the group, priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority baggage service.
Continental’s MeetingWorks program offers special discounts to attendees of conferences, meetings, or events with 20 or more passengers traveling from multiple origins to one destination. MeetingWorks provides percentage discounts off airfares and credits redeemable for travel certificates, upgrades, and more.
Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,600 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries through its 28 member airlines. With more than 40,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.
Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its “World’s Most Admired Companies” airline industry list. For more information, click here.
Jan 12
maureen-pickellTrade Shows air travel, airlines, non-profit, pcma
Your ConventionPlanit.com blogger has had a busy day at the PCMA “Convening Leaders” Annual Meeting!
The day began with the opening general session which could be titled – “A Tale of Two Sisters” presented by Ambassador Nancy Brinker. As a result of her sister’s battle with and loss of her life to breast cancer, the Susan G. Komen Foundation was launched by Nancy to provide grants for research and development to combat this global disease. As the largest grass roots movement of its kind, this collective effort began 30 years ago and depends on “the power of one” to help change the global culture as it relates to breast cancer and the apathy that has grown up around it. As a recent winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Nancy Brinker has fulfilled her promise to her sister, Susan, by diligently empowering activists of all ages and backgrounds to participate in this international health movement.
Next up was The PCMA Masters Series – Airlines and Meetings: A CEO Conversation where the audience was privy to a discussion between Gerard J. Arpey, Chairman, President and CEO, AMR Corp. and American Airlines, and Gary Kelly, Chairman, President and CEO, Southwest Airlines, moderated by Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.
If you think that you have issues with the business model represented by most of the major airlines today, take a look at the unprecedented level of volatility that these CEO’s have dealt with during the past decade and most particularly in the last two years:
- Surge in the price of oil resulting in an ongoing fuel crisis
- 2009 economic downturn
- Growth opportunities restricted by operating costs and security concerns
- Future issues include:
- The need to modernize the Air Traffic Control System
- The necessity to develop commercially viable sustainable fuels
- The development and deployment of new aircraft technology
The good news is that group business is important to both American and Southwest who both have programs targeting the meeting and convention market. During the economic recovery, people will need to do business in places that they’ve never been before – and that will result in increased demand for air travel.
Airlines will continue to be our partners in combating the misguided perceptions regarding meeting and incentive travel.
Dec 08
Ashley ChalmersNews air travel, Continental Airlines, travel tips
Between cold and flu season and swine flu, personal hygeine has become more important than ever. Grocery stores offer antibacterial wipes next to shopping carts, and the most popular hand out on the trade show floor has become travel-sized hand sanitizer.
The CDC’s latest healthy travel campaign urges ill travelers to stay home – but at what cost? Flying while ill to avoid significant cancellation and rescheduling fees certainly seems like a viable option…but what if you are the unlucky passenger stuck next to the passenger coughing and sneezing throughout your flight?
A recent MSNBC article outlines current airline policies on cancelling a reservation due to illness:
- JetBlue, Northwest and Delta – case-by-case basis
- American and US Airways – changes to non-refundable tickets cost $150, plus the difference between the old and new fares
- AirTran Airways – waives cancellation and rescheduling fees for any passenger with a doctor’s note documenting that they have H1N1 (but not seasonal flu or other illnesses)
- Virgin America, Continental and United – ongoing policies to waive change fees for customers who can provide documentation of illness from their doctor
- Southwest – no charge for changing or cancelling flights
How does illness impact your travel plans?
Jul 13
Ashley ChalmersMisc Tidbits, News, Places to Stay air travel, airlines, travel tips, unique activities
Frequent travelers forced to leave their furry friends behind when flying have a new option…
…Pet Airways debuts tomorrow as the U.S.’s first pet-only airline. Pets will travel in the main cabin, not the cargo hold of the planes.
The airline strives to protect the comfort and safety of pets, who are often injured in unsafe cargo conditions. Flights will serves New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles to start, with plans to expand nationwide.
Owners can book online and even track the progress of their pet’s flight at http://www.petairways.com.
Is this a service you will use?
Jun 23
Ashley ChalmersNews, Tips air travel, airlines, carry on luggage, Transportation Security Administration, travel tips
Senator Dan Lipinski has introduced a bill to standardize carry on luggage sizes.
The bill would require the Transportation Security Administration to set up templates on luggage conveyor belts that would block pieces larger than 22 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches.
Larger bags would have to be checked in.
With airlines expected to increase checked baggage fees this summer, would this bill create tension at luggage check points? Or is the bill a way to ensure there is room on board for customer’s overhead bags?
Apr 27
Ashley ChalmersPlaces to Stay, Tips for Meeting Planners air travel, economy, Fairfax, meeting ideas, Tips for Meeting Planners
Fairfax, Virginia has made planning an affordable meeting so easy that you don’t even have to try.
Fairfax is between Dulles International (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) airports, so attendees can comparison shop for the cheapest fares.
There’s plenty to do – one-of-a-kind special event venues are within short driving distance, such as Mt. Vernon, the Barns at Wolf Trap and the Tyson’s Corner Shopping Center, not to mention the majestic sights of nearby Washington, DC.
Visit Fairfax has worked out amazing deals with 20 area hotels to lower costs even further with bonuses like:
-complimentary continental breakfasts
-free guest rooms
-discounted audio-visual
-percentage off your master account
Fairfax is a great alternative for your next meeting. Be sure to check it out!
Mar 25
Ashley ChalmersNews, Places to Stay, Tips for Meeting Planners air travel, overseas meetings, travel tips
New travel regulations are coming in June…
…are YOU prepared?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all citizens carry a valid passport to enter the following countries:
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Jamaica (except for business travel)
Mexico
Montserrat
Netherlands Antilles
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Turks and Caicos
Get details and border travel advice here.
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