Connections with BCD Travel

Send us a text message! It's the final episode of season 3, and that means Chad and Miriam talk with BCD’s CEO Stephan Baars and CCO Mike Janssen. Nothing is off the table as the group digs into how 2025 has gone, market volatility, mergers, technology, innovation, what clients and the industry can expect from BCD in 2026 (and beyond), and a heartfelt message to colleagues and clients at the...

Send us a text message! One of our most anticipated episode of the year is here! Chad and Miriam sit down with Jorge Cruz, EVP, Global Sales & Marketing, for a wide-ranging conversation about where the travel industry stands today and where it's heading next. Jorge walks through how 2025 unfolded from his vantage point, breaking down the trends that shaped BCD and the broader market. He s...

Send us a text message! Virtual payments aren’t just a finance tool anymore - they’re redefining how we manage business travel. On this episode, Chad and Miriam sit down with BCD’s VP of Payment, Neil Fyfe, and Conferma’s Chief Product Officer, Stuart Davenport, to unpack why virtual payment is becoming one of the most important innovations in travel today. From enhanced security and spend transpa...

Send us a text message! Technology alone doesn’t define great service — people do. But when innovation meets expertise, that’s when real transformation (and a little bit of magic) happens. On this episode of Connections with BCD Travel , hosts Chad Lemon and Miriam Moscovici sit down with Tanya Green, SVP, Operations, and Rodney Plattner, VP, Operations, to explore how advancements in operational...

Send us a text message! Hotels aren’t just places to sleep anymore - they’re becoming ecosystems designed to support how we work, connect, and travel. On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with IHG's Mel Bell to explore how the hotel landscape is evolving for business traveler today. From the role of technology and AI to the growing influence of younger travelers on amenities like communal...

Send us a text message! Ever wonder why your hotel program just isn’t working for you or your travelers? You spend time and money every year souring your program, so you should be seeing returns, right?  Not so fast.  Before heading in your annual hotel sourcing this year, take a step back and assess if you’re truly set up for success. On this episode, Chad and Miriam are joined Advito’s Global Ho...

Send us a text message! We’re surrounded by more data than ever, but how do we turn mountains of data into manageable insights? In this episode, Chad and Miriam talk with April Bridgeman, Managing Director of BCD’s consulting arm, Advito, to explore how AI is changing the data game for travel managers. April shares the latest trends her team is seeing, plus practical ways AI can uncover fresh, act...

Send us a text message! We’re at the halfway point of 2025. And on this podcast that can only mean one thing: Rossana Martin is back to connect with Chad and Miriam about the state of our industry!   As usual, Rossana takes us "around the world" to discuss industry insights, giving special attention to air and hotel rates in each global region and how rates might change throughout the re...

Send us a text message! On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Delta Air Lines' Christopher Crowder-Bromley, General Manager, B2B Marketing. While Delta is celebrating their 100th anniversary, they're also doubling down on their investment into business travel programs. Christopher details three major solutions specifically built for business travel, shares Delta's 'why&...

Send us a text message! It seems as though every year there are some new buzz words in the world of business travel. On this episode, Chad and Miriam explore one of 2025’s buzz words: ROI, or return on investment. The duo is joined by Matt Patterson, Senior Director with BCD’s consulting arm Advito, and Matt highlights that ROI is more than just obvious savings. For example, investing in a compreh...

Send us a text message! Want to boost traveler engagement while driving program adoption? You’re not alone! On this episode, Chad and Miriam are joined by Hannah Kahn and Melia McFarland from BCD's travel commerce product team to talk all things messaging. It’s no surprise that travel managers everywhere are looking for tools that improve the traveler experience, boost compliance, and keep th...

Send us a text message! While International Women's Day might have been March 8 this year, it's always the right time to celebrate women. On this episode, host Miriam Moscovici is joined by guest host Sydney Kessler, and the pair connect with three of BCD's leaders who have all taken different paths to success. Leslie West, global SVP, Shelley Fletcher-Bryant, VP with BCD's con...

Send us a text message! Disaster can strike anywhere, at any time, and to anyone—so is your travel program prepared? Are your travelers informed of their options if disaster ever affects them? In this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with three leaders from BCD’s Global Crisis Management team to discuss this crucial topic. Jorge Mesa, Sr. Director, Christine Connolly, Sr. Program Manager, and Lise...

Send us a text message! Did you know that there are over 35,000 different visa and entry requirement configurations across the world? And those requirements change all the time! How can travel programs, travel managers, and travelers themselves keep up to date for seamless entry? Well, that's what Chad and Miriam discuss on this episode of Connections with G3 Global Services COO, Charlie Cobb...

Send us a text message! On this episode, Chad and Miriam are once again joined by Alissa Merlino, Sr. Director, Global Solutions Engineering. Alissa covers the how and why behind taking your technology temperature check. She offers practical advice on how to truly know what's important to your travelers, your travel program, and your C-suite. Alissa also digs into weighing the importance of w...

Send us a text message! Chad and Miriam are back for season 3 of the Connections podcast. On this episode, the duo discuss the upcoming season and what travel managers can expect to hear after subscribing. They’re also joined by Kjarsten Philipsen, SVP, Program Management, Jorge Cruz, EVP, Global Sales and Marketing, April Bridgeman, SVP, Advito, and Thad Slaton, SVP, Global Marketing. This quick...

Send us a text message! As we close out 2024, our final season 2 episode connects Chad and Miriam with BCD's CEO, Stephan Baars, and CCO, Mike Janssen. Through the many laughs and fun stories on this episode, Stephan and Mike talk about the business travel industry as a whole, where BCD will be making investments, and what to expect from in 2025. This episode also includes personal messages t...

Send us a text message! Rossana Martin is back to connect with Chad and Miriam about the state of our industry and this is one episode you don't want to miss!  As usual, Rossana takes us "around the world" to discuss industry insights, giving special attention to air and hotel rates in each global region and how rates might change in 2025. If you have a global travel program, or sim...

Send us a text message! Self-care isn’t always easy. Especially when your travel program doesn’t prioritize traveler wellbeing. On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Amélie Losanes, one of Advito’s expert managing consultants, about the importance of traveler wellness and the steps companies can take to push wellness forward. Plus, she shares some top tips on how travelers can take control...

Send us a text message! Connections Success Stories showcase how our clients use BCD technology to optimize their travel programs. These quick stories highlight what BCD has done for clients, and what we could potentially do for yours.   On this episode, Chad connects with Gabby Davis, multi-national program manager, and the pair discuss how a global company faced issues with budget-busting air bo...

Send us a text message! Alissa Merlino, Sr. Director, Global Solutions Engineering, joins Miriam and Chad on this episode for a conversation around spend management - from a slightly different angle. Alissa constantly has conversations with travel managers, travel buyers, and spend management vendors and sometimes those conversations lead to debunking misconceptions. On this episode, Alissa shares...

Send us a text message! Connections Success Stories showcase how our clients use BCD technology to optimize their travel programs. These quick stories highlight what BCD has done for clients, and what we could potentially do for yours.     On this episode, Chad connects with Tara Volpintesta, global program manager who works closely with this success story’s account. Tara shares how fully engaging...

Send us a text message! It seems like you can’t go a day in business travel without hearing the term NDC - why are we still talking about it? On this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Thane Jackson, SVP, global distribution strategy. Thane shares his perspective on why the NDC conversation should have just stayed in the background, how NDC is shaping business travel, and advice for travel mana...

Send us a text message! Most of us assume that air leakage (or off-program/ off-channel bookings) are a thing of the past, right? We have new technologies and innovations that have solved the issue. Well, in this episode, Chad and Miriam connect with Olivier Benoit, Senior VP with BCD's consulting arm Advito and what Olivier shares might surprise you. Listen in as the trio talks about why air...

Send us a text message! Rossana Martin is back to connect with Chad and Miriam about the state of our industry and this is one episode you don't want to miss!  Rossana takes us "around the world" to discuss industry insights, giving special attention to air and hotel rates in each global region, as well as what she's hearing about A.I. and advice for travelers.  If you have a g...