Over the coming weeks BBT will be catching up with some of the winners from the 2014 Business Travel Awards to highlight their stories and find out how the win has affected their business.
In this first instalment Carlson Wagonlit Travel's Nigel Turner, director of programme management & business development, UK & Ireland and Sandy Moring, senior director of market strategy, business services & sustainability, UK & Ireland, reflects on CWT's double win in 2014
Winner’s story: Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Why did you decide to enter the 2014 Business Travel Awards?
NT: CWT had a lot to celebrate last year, and plenty of great progress and innovation to talk about in our entry.
It was also a year of firsts for the company, and as we had enjoyed success at the Business Travel Awards in the past, we wanted to ensure that we were part of this highly valued industry event.
What did winning the award for Best Travel Management Company (more than 200m UK sales) mean to your team/company?
NT: Winning Best TMC was the perfect start to 2014. We ended 2013 on a high with some new business and customer products, and being crowned Best TMC carried this excitement through into the New Year. It was the perfect acknowledgement to our teams’ hard work and dedication.
What did winning the award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Programme mean to your team/ company?
SM: We were absolutely delighted. As a TMC up against airlines developing aviation biofuel, and other fantastic entries we knew the competition was very tough. Having been shortlisted in previous years and achieving Highly Commended/Runner Up status, we were extremely pleased to be the winner.
Has winning the award had any positive benefits for your company – both internally and externally? If so what have those benefits been?
SM: It has reaffirmed both internally and externally, that we are following the right path and a leader in the travel management industry. It has encouraged us to pursue further improvements and innovations which are benefiting our clients.
What's in the pipeline for Carlson Wagonlit Travel for 2015?
NT: We are launching a hotel booking facility on our app CWT to Go. We have several new clients coming on board, and we will be bringing improvements to help our corporate customers and their travellers gain even more value from their travel budgets.
What did you enjoy most about the awards evening? (Apart from winning of course)
SM: The chance to relax and network with clients and colleagues old and new, and celebrate our successes as a team alongside some of our valued clients and suppliers.
Why should organisations and teams enter the awards?
SM: It gives a chance to demonstrate leadership and gain recognition from industry peers. It also develops a true sense of pride within teams, not only knowing they are the best, but having an independent panel and the industry recognise them as such.
And why should they attend the ceremony?
NT: To enjoy the best night out of the year in our fantastic industry.
What the Judges said:
Best Travel Management Company (more than £200 million UK annual sales)
The judges said Carlson Wagonlit was raising the bar in demonstrating the value that travel can bring to a corporate's objectives. And they liked CWT’s ability to tailor solutions, not only for global organisations but for smaller clients too.
Best Corporate Social Responsibility Programme
The judges said Carlson Wagonlit’s CSR programme is leading the competition into new territory, and setting a new benchmark, challenging others to follow.
How to enter the 2015 Business Travel Awards
The deadline for awards entries is Monday September 8. To view categories and criteria visit www.businesstravelawrds.com. For the latest updates on the event, follow the Business Travel Awards on Twitter at @BBTAwards