Solving the Travel Tech Puzzle: Making Smarter Technology Decisions for Your Travel Program
For growing organizations, choosing the right travel technology can sometimes feel like trying to solve an escape room.
With countless booking tools, platforms, integrations and emerging solutions available, the challenge isn’t simply finding technology—it’s determining which technology truly fits your organization, your travelers and where your business is headed.
At the 2026 GBTA Convention in Chicago, members of the BCD Travel Midmarket team tackled this challenge during an interactive education session, “The SME Escape Room: Solving Travel Tech Decisions That Work.”
The session brought together Melinda Kirkham, Vice President of Corporate Sales at Adelman Travel; Jeff Ochaita, Vice President of Sales & Customer Success at GetGoing; Shauna Reker, Vice President of Sales at Acendas Travel; and Logan Smith, Director of Program Management at World Travel Service to explore how organizations can cut through the noise and make more strategic travel technology decisions.
Start With Your Business—Not the Technology
One of the most important considerations when evaluating travel technology is understanding what your organization actually needs.
Before comparing features and platforms, travel leaders should consider their company’s goals, traveler expectations, program complexity, internal resources and plans for future growth.
The best technology isn’t necessarily the solution with the longest list of features. It’s the solution that aligns with your organization and makes travel easier to manage.
Platform, OBT or Hybrid Approach?
Organizations today have more choices than ever when structuring a managed travel program.
A traditional online booking tool may meet the needs of some organizations, while others may benefit from a more connected platform that brings together travel, expense and program management. In other situations, a hybrid approach may make the most sense.
The key is understanding how each option impacts the complete travel experience—from booking and traveler adoption to integrations, service, reporting and ongoing program management.
Look Beyond the Booking Experience
Travel technology decisions shouldn’t be made based on the booking interface alone.
Organizations should evaluate the complete ecosystem surrounding the technology, including:
- Integration requirements and complexity
- Traveler experience and adoption
- Travel policy and compliance
- Expense management
- Reporting and visibility
- Service and traveler support
- Implementation requirements
- Scalability as the organization grows
Technology should simplify a travel program—not introduce unnecessary complexity.
The Human Element Still Matters
Technology continues to transform business travel, but service and support remain critical components of a successful travel program.
When evaluating solutions, organizations should consider not only what the technology can do, but also who will be there to support their travelers and help manage the program when needs change or challenges arise.
At Adelman Travel, we believe the strongest travel programs combine intuitive technology, industry expertise and high-touch service—giving organizations the flexibility to build a program that works today while preparing for what’s next.
Watch the GBTA Education Session
Couldn’t join us in Chicago—or want to revisit the conversation?
Watch the full recording of “The SME Escape Room: Solving Travel Tech Decisions That Work” and hear the discussion on how growing organizations can approach travel technology decisions with greater clarity and confidence.
Watch the GBTA Education Session →(opens in new tab)
Is Your Travel Technology Built for What’s Next?
As your organization grows, your travel program should be able to grow with it.
Whether you’re evaluating your current online booking tool, exploring a more integrated travel and expense platform, or simply trying to understand what options are available, Adelman Travel can help you evaluate the right combination of technology, service and support for your organization.
Ready to explore what’s next for your travel program? Contact Adelman Travel to start the conversation.