You've likely been through the drill.  Up at 4 am to catch an early flight.  Hustling through a busy airport to make a connection.  Catch a cab, have a meeting (hopefully a good one) and then reverse the routine to get back home before the clock signals the end of another day.  

That is the downside of business travel. But as Karen Buls, Director of SME Products Marketing and Sales Strategy for American Airlines believes, it's a routine that's not going away any time soon -  even as we adopt technology that connects us with customers and vendors anywhere in the world with the dial of a phone or click of a mouse.

Corporate travel is a huge business in the United States.  Statistics from the US Travel Association puts annual spending at more than $246 billion.  $100 billion of this spend (and 1 million American jobs) are linked directly to meetings and events.  And, in spite of the deep frustrations with air travel (50% of travelers say the system is not likely to improve in the near future according to the US Travel Association) the ability to connect people face-to-face is critical.

Buls quoted results from a recent American Airlines survey.  "The vast majority of small to medium sized business feel like face-to-face contact with customers and suppliers is crucial to their success," she said.  "There's really no replacement for that human contact." In fact, 40% of small to medium sized businesses are planning to increase travel over the next 12 to 18 months as their outlook in the economic recovery improves.

While airlines can only do so much to improve scheduling logistics, security checks, and costs in the wake of rising energy prices, all is not lost when it comes to innovation.  At American Airlines, Buls is leading the effort to make travel easier and more rewarding for small to mid-sized companies that typically don't have a travel program in place.  

For American Airlines, the relationship goes beyond just providing a seat on a flight.  They help companies better manage costs and time with programs that increase scheduling flexibility.  Their flagship program is called 'Business Extra.' Buls describes it as an advantage program for business.  Travel booked through the corporate account earns frequent flyer points for the business and for the employee (a win-win situstion).  Other benefits come with the program as well. More information is available at www.aa.com/business.

Successful businesses are responding to tough economic times by getting out and hustling for business.  Yes, travel takes time and money but considering that every dollar invested in business travel, returns an average $12.50 in increased revenue and $3.80 in new profits (according the the U.S. Travel Association) it's an investment that pays off.