Business Traveler, July/August 2020

J U LY A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m 5 WE L C O M E L ets face it Travel has taken a beating in the past six months Not just a little slump but a full on global rout in every sector in practically every country in the world As governments closed borders and companies withdrew from the marketplace travel numbers in March and April collapsed and whatever recovery we have seen in the intervening weeks has been slow and arduous Meaning before we can set sail on a new course for the travel industry well first have to raise the ship off the ocean floor So in the midst of all this why would we be asking you our readers to participate in our 2020 Business Traveler readers survey Since 1988 this has been one of the largest and longest running independent polls of frequent business travelers in the industry The top vote getters in this survey have been recognized for excellence in their respective categories in our annual Best in Business Travel Awards published in December Now this is more than an attempt to hang on to a long standing custom in the face of unprecedented upheaval For over 30 years your participation in our survey has been regarded among travel providers as a key bellwether of their standing in the industry This survey is your opportunity to have a voice in recognizing the companies that have provided you with exceptional service in the last 12 months both before the COVID 19 pandemic struck and subsequently as its unfolded It may sound counterintuitive to evaluate the performance of an industry thats been so whipsawed and contorted by forces beyond its control But in fact theres no better time for providers of travel services to shine than in the midst of a challenge and no more appropriate way for you the business traveler to cast your vote of confidence in the future of travel So please look for you invitation and take time to participate in our annual Business Traveler survey Because now more than ever the travel industry needs to hear your voice Dan Booth Editorial Director Business Traveler North America is published ten times a year at our address as above The magazine is independent of commercial interest The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions Unsolicited manuscripts will not be accepted for publication All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part of the text photographs or illustrations without permission is prohibited Managing Director Jerry Ruud 973 985 7756 JRuud@ btgratefulmedia com Group Publisher Jerry Allison 973 839 6200 JAllison@ businesstravelerusa com Publisher Tiffany Raif 212 729 0197 TRaif@ btgratefulmedia com Editorial Director Dan Booth 336 766 1961 DBooth@ btgratefulmedia com Senior Editor Lark Gould LGould@ btgratefulmedia com Communications Director Karin Murphy KMurphy@ btgratefulmedia com Editor at Large Gretchen Kelly GKelly@ btgratefulmedia com International Editor Ramsey Qubein Assistant Editor Ralf Walters News Media Releases editorial@ btgratefulmedia com Digital Advertising Lauren Wysocki LWysocki@ btgratefulmedia com Advertising Sales 973 839 6200 advertising@ btgratefulmedia com Aram Gesar 646 808 9057 agesar@ airguide us Jim McGinley 818 712 0672 Contributors Michael Alpiner Jerome Greer Chandler Kathryn B Creedy Bob Ecker Chris Hall Fatima Durrani Khan Susan McKee Jenni Reid Caitlin Sakdalan Designer Art Director Michele Cameron MCameron@ btgratefulmedia com Production Marylee DeFerrari mdeferrari@ btgratefulmedia com Subscriptions 973 839 0620 subscriptions@ businesstravelerusa com Grateful Media Group 39 Jinella Court Suite 301 Boonton NJ 07005 973 839 6200 www businesstravelerusa com Keep In Touch Stay Informed sign up for the Business Traveler weekly newsletter at www businesstravelerusa com