Focusing on social networking in the business travel space

Published: 22 Feb 2008

Sabre Travel Network is to launch the first Enterprise 2.0 Community Platform developed specifically with travelers in mind, called cubeless.

American Express Business Travel and Sabre are working to partner on the initial launch of cubeless, which is scheduled for mid-2008.

According to Sabre, the cubeless platform is designed specifically for facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise throughout a corporation's most valuable knowledge base: its employees.

The focus will be on corporate travelers, offering cubeless as a new module from Sabre's GetThere corporate booking solution and a long-time partner of American Express Business Travel.

"cubeless allows you to connect and benefit from the collective experience and expertise of your fellow travelers or colleagues," said Tom Klein, executive vice president for Sabre Holdings and group president of the Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions businesses.

"For those folks that the road is as much their office as where their desk is, getting information they know they can trust is just invaluable," he said.

cubeless facilitates this collaboration so the road warrior business traveler can quickly, easily, and even automatically, get advice from people within their company that do what they do, have the same travel policies, and have been in the same locations providing their best resource for getting input about their trip.

"It can be anything from finding out about services to help support their business trip in a location others have been to, to what nearby restaurants are opened all night for a quick bite to verifying that a hotel they want to stay in has dependable, fast wireless internet access and a gym that is open early in the morning," said Klein.

Sabre launched its own, employee community of cubeless in 2007. Born out of the work from Sabre Travel Studios, employees have used the power of the connected community to build their knowledge, find a certain skill set for a work team, and check out travel information such as the best mode of airport transport to the local office or just simply which hotel has the best location or service for an upcoming trip.

Comments

You must be logged in to post comments.

Viaje said on 22 Feb 08:

This looks like a worthwhile service and I will give it a try. GetThere and AmEx Business Travel are both great services and this partnership seems logical.

Now, perhaps I'm just in a grumpy mood, but I have a question. What's with the lower case "cubeless"? Is there some marketing secret that the lack of capitalization on a proper noun will increase sales?

Is "cubeless" in lower case suppose to look trendy? Well, it's not. Instead, it looks so 1999.

Did the marketing and branding folks all graduate from the e. e. cummings school of poetry? (This question won't make much sense to those people who don't care about poetry -- and that means more than 99% of the world.)

I'm taking bets that within a year that it will be "Cubeless" with a capital C.

Upcoming Conferences, Events & Reports


EyeforTravel Research & Reports

01/07/08

Latest data & analysis for the worlds online travel markets - NEW European Online Travel Report 2008, India, China, Russia...

Travel Distribution and Sales China 2008

Beijing, 24 - 25th September 2008

Create a distribution and online sales strategy to capitalise on the maturing Chinese online consumer. Grow your post Olympic market share.

Online Travel Market Russia 2008

Moscow, 24-25 September 2008

This conference will bring together developments in Russia and from the international markets to examine how hotels, airlines, tour operators and travel agents can maximise profits in this expanding market using new technologies and methodologies.

Travel Distribution Summit North America

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas 1-2 October 2008

America's annual meeting place for hundreds of senior travel marketing, distribution and technology professionals. The highlight being the Travel Distribution Executive Conference which attracts the crème de la crème of the travel industry.

Ancillary Revenue in Travel USA 2008

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas 1-2 October 2008

Our new event is guaranteed to show you how to add substantial profits directly to your bottom line. Learn directly from hotels and airlines who have sucessfully developed Ancillary Revenue programs.

Revenue Management and Pricing in Travel USA 2008

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas 1-2 October 2008

Senior travel executives involved in pricing and revenue management convene for an annual update on the latest RM techniques. This event grew dramatically last year.

Social Media Strategies in Travel Europe 2008 (Part of the Sales & Marketing in Travel Europe Summit)

Munich, 14 - 15 October

Social Media and user-generated content are revolutionising online marketing, opening up exciting new ways to raise brand awareness and adhere to customer expectations. Attend this inaugural event for the European region and find out how real travel companies are implementing and managing Social Media and Web 2.0 features. The event will be held as part of the Sales & Marketing in Travel Europe Summit held annually in Berlin.

Online Sales & Marketing in Travel Europe 2008 (Part of the Sales & Marketing in Travel Summit Europe)

Munich, 14 - 15 October

Europe's annual event for travel marketers returns for a 7th year to provide you with key insight into the latest best practices to market and sell your travel product to the dynamic European market. Twinned with our inaugural 'Social Media Strategies in Travel Europe' conference the event is guaranteed to give you the real-world advice and the competitive edge you need to boost sales in Europe's increasingly crowded online marketplace.

Travel Distribution Japan 2008

Tokyo, Conrad Hotel, 29-30 October

The global trend in online travel is now hitting Japan in a big way. The internet is re-defining the way your customers research and book travel, and creating a whole host of critical business issues, challenges and hurdles to overcome. This conference is an opportunity for you to explore best practices to help you distribute your travel product in Japan and gain the contacts you need to succeed!

Mobile Technology in Travel@WTM 2008

11th November 2008, World Travel Market, ExCel, London

Mobile is a force you can no longer ignore. This groundbreaking event cuts through the hype and presents you with proven strategies to make money, engage customers and foster loyalty form this innovative channel. Hear from top travel and mobile companies on how to take a first-mover advantage. You know mobile is causing a stir - it's time to do something about it!

The Travel Leadership Forum@WTM 2008

12th November, World Travel Market, ExCel, London

The Travel Leadership Forum: Evolution of Online Travel brings together the online travel leaders from around the world to discuss the changing face of online travel. Only the most senior and innovative executives are being handpicked to share their expertise during keynote presentation, topical discussion and thought provoking debates. The Forum is the essential meeting place for executives within the online travel space - don't miss out on this unique opportunity to join the travel elite!

Online Content and Conversion Strategies@WTM 2008

13th November, World Travel Market, ExCel, London

Online Content and Conversion Strategies is a conference designed with a single purpose: to show you how to drive conversions using compelling online content. With so many options to improve your site and engage your customer the task can often seem daunting. That's why we have brought together the top performing web experts to show you what information, media and functionality will turn a looker into a booker.

Travel Distribution Central Eastern Europe 2008

19-20 November, Angelo Hotel, Prague

A unique conference for leading travel distribution, marketing and pricing executives to discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in this highly fragmented yet rapidly growing travel market.

Travel Distribution Summit India 2008

26-27 November 2008

The annual meeting place for India's online travel industry. The Indian online travel market is reaching a critical point in its evolution. Whilst the opportunities are huge, challenges and obstacles to growth must not be under-estimated. Attend this event to formulate the partnerships and strategies you need to succeed in India

Revenue Maximisation for the Travel Industry

26-27 November, Taj Lands End, Mombai, India

A 2 day conference looking at Revenue Management, a proven management strategy that ensures you manage yield and price and so substantially increase your profitability and Ancillary revenue a proven strategy to increase your profits. One LCC has generated an estimated US$334 million in 2007 through the sale on non flight product:

Revenue Management & Pricing in Travel Europe 2008

Munich, 2-3 December

In a period of economic uncertainty it has never been more important to re-visit your revenue and pricing strategies. Hear from top travel companies on how they plan to optimise revenue during this tricky period. This unique annual conference attracts Europe's leading revenue and pricing in travel experts and provides you with the key insight you need to benchmark your strategy and stay ahead of your competitors. Visit the conference website to find out how you can be a part of it!

Travel Distribution Iberian Peninsula

2-3 December, Barcelona

The Travel Distribution Iberian Peninsula comprises of the best in Online marketing, Travel Distribution, Web 2.0, Destination Marketing, Ancillary Revenue and the most important factors that are transforming Spain and Portugal into one of the most lucrative in Europe and the World (held in Spanish and English).

Hotel Revenue Management & Pricing Middle East

15-16th December 2008, Abu Dhabi

Cutting edge revenue and pricing techniques to maximise Middle Eastern hotel profit margins

Travel Distribution Summit Europe

19-20 May 2009

The event helps attendees sell more, reduce distribution costs, form lucrative distribution partnerships, price your product right and keep your customers happy.... key goals of any successful travel company!That why 1500+ decision makers attend each year making this the world's biggest event for online travel executive and heads of pricng and distribution.