PA network to partner with Advantage
Advantage is aiming to help travel management companies access new business by hosting a series of events and roadshows across the UK with Miss Jones PA, a nationwide networking group for personal assistants.
There will be a minimum of three events this year, the first of which will be held this summer.
As personal assistants often perform the role of travel manager, especially within small to medium-sized businesses, Advantage said there was a perfect opportunity for Miss Jones PA to work with its members, many of whom specialise in the SME market.
Miss Jones PA has 23,000 members, many based in London, although it is planning to expand to the regions. While the majority of suppliers on its site are London-centric, Advantage said it was aiming to broaden its reach.
Global product director Neil Armorgie said: "We are delighted to be working closely with the team from Miss Jones PA and their membership. It makes perfect sense to provide opportunities for interaction between key buyers and our members to work together. The SME sector is our membership sweet spot, mirroring the Miss Jones PA membership.
"Miss Jones has only a few travel partners at the moment, so it makes sense for them to partner with us and interact with our members and suppliers."
Miss Jones PA managing director Lisa Boissel added: "The Advantage Travel Partnership represents over 120 of the top TMCs in the UK and by working closely with them we will create unique opportunities to educate our PA membership and network with leading travel suppliers, we could not be more excited at this extension to our service offering."
Advantage, which is the largest group of TMCs in the UK, accounting for 40% of the market, is also looking to expand the Meetings and Events business it launched last year. It has already taken on a fourth member of staff to help source venues, both in the UK and overseas, and manage events on behalf of its members.
Armorgie said that over the past 12 months it has sourced almost 100 venues for members who didn’t have the resources to handle events themselves. Commission is split between Advantage and the agency . "Members have won new corporate accounts as a result of us launching this business," he added.
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