It’s now March and we’re in at the peak of travel season for franchisees, franchisors and supplier partners. Annual franchisee conventions, franchise expos, IFA events, and in-person discovery days will find many of us in and out of LAS, ATL, PHX, ORD and more!
Business travel changed drastically after 9/11, when travelers went from being convenience-focused to navigating new security rules. It’s changed again since the pandemic and lockdowns of 2020-2022, but with nuanced shifts that many travelers have not yet experienced.
I recently spoke with six of the most well-traveled franchise pros I know to gather the latest tips on business travel. Our group included Abby Fogel of Unleashed Brands, Diane Phibbs of Franchise Update Media, Ali Kraus of Benetrends, John Keene of Serviceminder, Kristen Pechacek of MassageLuxe and Michael Hyam of National Event Management.
These folks have booked a combined half-million air miles in the past year and shared some advice to make your next trip just a bit easier.
1. Make a plan. Don’t just use the conference agenda but map out who you want to see and where you want to spend your limited time.
2. Have your small talk ready. Practice your elevator pitch. And remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them.
3. Avoid Monday mornings at all airports.
4. Fly as early as possible in the day (outside of Mondays). Earlier flights are less likely to be late or cancelled.
5. Invest in Clear and TSA Precheck. For a relatively low fee, you can save hours each week by avoiding airport lines! Note: Canadians, check out Nexus.
6. Use packing cubes. You can fit far more in a carry-on.
7. Speaking of which: Go with carry-ons and backpacks if at all possible and skip checking a bag.
8. Wear comfortable shoes in the airport and the convention centers.
9. Find a local travel buddy. Sharing expenses and experiences can be cost-effective and fun!
10. Wear black. It travels well, it needs less ironing and it looks cool.
~ Jack Monson
Jack Monson is the host of the Social Geek Radio Network, home of the number one podcasts in Franchising including The Franchise News Podcast and The Facebook Franchise Podcast. Monson is also the Chief Revenue Officer at Social Joey and has been working with franchisees and small businesses in social media marketing for 13 years. For more information, visit socialgeekradio.com, or email jack@socialgeekradio.com.