CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 18, 2006—GetThere(R), the world’s leading online corporate travel reservation technology, announced an agreement with HelmsBriscoe to offer meeting site selection and RFP services to corporations using the GetThere booking engine. HelmsBriscoe provides site selection services to more than 8,000 corporate, association and government clients that plan off-site meetings and conferences. GetThere’s booking engine, used by 62 percent of the Fortune 200, accounted for $6.3 billion in corporate travel in 2005.
The companies announced their service integration at the National Business Travel Association convention in Chicago. NBTA attendees can explore the cost-saving efficiencies HelmsBriscoe brings to meeting planning at GetThere’s booth (number 1644). HelmsBriscoe’s services are free for GetThere DirectMeetings users.
HelmsBriscoe has more than 750 associates in 31 countries, each with established relationships in their local hotel community. Corporate travel managers and planners access these services simply by creating a meeting in GetThere’s DirectMeetings module. HelmsBriscoe takes it from there, sending RFPs to candidate hotels and preparing easy-to-read grids with information gleaned from RFP responses. Once the corporation selects a property, HelmsBriscoe assists with contract execution and follow-up, saving planners significant time by handling the numerous administrative tasks associated with events both large and small. An acknowledged industry leader, HelmsBriscoe is on pace to handle more than 20,000 programs this year.
“GetThere relentlessly promotes the fact that there are tremendous corporate travel dollars to be saved via more efficient meeting planning, and we’re pleased to be part of that message,” said Greg Malark, executive vice president of HelmsBriscoe. “In today’s global economy, multi-national firms embracing online booking with GetThere represent a perfect match for us as we expand our reach in Asia, Europe and Latin America.”
“The number of GetThere clients actively implementing meeting management automation and policy grows on a monthly basis,” said Beverly Heinritz, general manager of GetThere. “HelmsBriscoe’s services are truly complementary. They give travel managers the benefit of local event expertise, along with the leverage that responding hotels must be competitive in rates and service to continue gaining referrals from the HelmsBriscoe associate. It’s like having an extended staff member working at any meeting location.”
Online meeting registrations via GetThere technology grew by 63 percent in 2005.
About GetThere
GetThere is the leading global online corporate reservation technology, surpassing $6.3 billion in gross travel bookings in 2005. An established innovator in the global travel arena, GetThere enables global corporations and government agencies to provide a convenient way for employees to book travel and plan meetings online while significantly reducing costs. GetThere’s advanced technology works with all major global distribution systems (GDS) and all travel management companies. More than 3,000 corporations, including a majority of Fortune 200 companies that have online booking sites, use GetThere. More information is available at www.getthere.com.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
About HelmsBriscoe
HelmsBriscoe provides site selection services to corporate, association and government clients that plan off-site meetings and conferences. HelmsBriscoe associates research hotels and other meeting venues that match their clients’ criteria, negotiate rates and concessions, and facilitate the contracting process. Founded in 1992, HelmsBriscoe today serves 8,000 clients with more than 750 associates in 31 countries. HelmsBriscoe combines a highly experienced global distribution with innovative technology to provide clients with the best site selection service in the meeting industry.
HelmsBriscoe’s services feature unique proprietary tools, such as InSite, its “experience database” of 36,000 hotels; and rate histories from Express, its proprietary electronic RFP tool. For more information, visit www.HelmsBriscoe.com.
CONTACT: VOLLMER
Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790
marykate@vollmerpr.com
or
GetThere
Michael Brophy, 214-356-4326
michael.brophy@getthere.com
or
Helms Briscoe
Kristy McCloud, 480-718-1124
kmmcloud@helmsbriscoe.com
SOURCE: GetThere
