It’s no secret that travel was one of the industries hit hardest by COVID-19. Airlines, cruise lines, and hotels suffered as workers were laid off by the thousands and many brands were forced to shut down their operations. Economies depend on travel for a variety of reasons and although the leisure segment has already made its return over the summer, now is when we’re finally seeing business travel start to catch up.
With that said, Fishies have traveled near and far over the past few months to meet with clients and attend various conferences across the country. So, what are a few things we’re seeing as we ease back into the swing of business trips?
Hybrid meetings, of course.
Whether it’s a client immersion or industry convention, we’re noticing some type of virtual component present during these occasions. For example, the Scenthound team recently participated in a three-day immersion where they attended two of those days virtually. On the third day, they met the client in-person to scope out their locations and get a firsthand look at the services they offer. Similarly, our teams have been videoing in to give presentations at various client conferences, which we would have normally flown in for.
The convenience offered by this hybrid format is pretty unbeatable. Not only is it more cost effective by not having to pay for flight and lodging costs, but it’s also more efficient when you subtract the time spent travelling. Some other major factors to also consider include government restrictions placed on cities, states, and countries that can more easily be accommodated by incorporating some sort of virtual component.
Looking ahead, the shift to hybrid meetings will remain for quite some time. Traveler confidence varies depending on current events, as shown by the continued uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant, which is why a slow but steady return to in-person attendance is expected. This hybrid model still caters to those vital face-to-face connections associated with these events, while also extending the reach of content to those participating virtually. With that said, as much as we may enjoy the convenience offered by technology and virtual events, nothing beats the opportunity to meet and network with clients in person.
