Abroad on a budget

Mike Furlong, Clark Pest Control audio/visual director, demonstrates how the company keeps in touch with over 20 branches all over California and its office in Reno, Nev. It saves on travel expenses. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

Abroad on a budget

When travel is a necessity, Lodi businesses are finding cheaper routes

By Marc Lutz
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Thursday, October 23, 2008 6:15 AM PDT

Comments (No comments posted.)

During the summer, many Lodians opted to forego traveling during their vacations, staying near home to relax. But for some, travel is a necessary evil. Indeed, going to and fro means their livelihood.

As the rising cost of, well, just about everything has affected most budgets, business travelers are finding ways of cutting down on the expense of airfare, lodgings and even meals. And they're doing it by finding deals, using air miles and other discounts or by employing video technology.

For most business travelers, going places isn't a term synonymous with advancement within a company. More aptly, they can be away from home several weeks out of the year, so planning ahead is a smart business strategy.

Booking trips in advance is part of normal operating procedure for companies like F&M Bank in Lodi.

"I fly economy, always. I never fly business or first class," said Kent Steinwert, president and CEO of F&M. He went on to say that there are a number of other ways the company saves on travel expenditures. "We rent only the most economical cars, and we use coupons from airlines and other (discounts)."

And though Steinwert said they've recently noticed the cost of airlines and hotels coming down, they still negotiate to get the best deals possible. A company credit card is used so that frequent flier miles can be put toward discounted rates on future company trips.

F&M doesn't use an outside service, like a travel agent, so that they can avoid added fees. Plus, the bank flies exclusively with Southwest Airlines, Steinwert said. A visit to the airline's Web site shows an average round-trip fare from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. will cost at least $380 if booked more than 21 days in advance.

How to travel for less

1. Book airfare more than 21 days in advance.
2. If it's cheaper to drive, take the car.
3. With hotels, get a group rate, or barter with a hotel for cheaper rates. Most places want your business and want to book rooms. The price they show isn't always set in stone.
4. Travel during the off-season (less demand, less cost).
5. When attending conventions, try to stay in the host hotel (where the convention is held) or one within walking distance.
6. Keep meals modest by dining at chain restaurants or local mom and pop diners.
7. Use air miles to gain further discounts or get bumped up to first class.
— News-Sentinel staff

"Southwest is more reliable and timely, and they have great service," Steinwert said.

In fact, Southwest is one of the only companies that won't ding ticket holders with cancellation fees or penalties if travel dates have to be changed, according to Judy Bader, the owner of B&J Travel in Lodi.

"Corporate is different from leisure. They need to have more flexibility ... they are trying to make the most of their time," Bader said. "There is risk. If they cancel, if they even look at their ticket cross-eyed, they get hit with a penalty (from most airlines)." She also said that most corporate and business customers are seeking more modest lodgings to keep costs down.

A great deal of business travel is also for training purposes or for company-wide meetings. Bader stated that many companies are beginning to use Internet training software (Webinars — think seminars on the Web) to cut down on travel costs.

One such company that takes advantage of technology to keep costs under control is Clark Pest Control. In their newly built corporate headquarters in Lodi, the company included two different video conferencing rooms. They've also included 37 training videos on their intranet, allowing employees at any of their 21 branch offices to be trained without coming to corporate. And it's in use about three to four times a month, according to the company's owner, Terry Clark.

With their video conferencing software, they can plan company meetings without worrying about travel times and other costly delays.

"Obviously, it's a lot cheaper to link up than to hop on Southwest," Clark said. However, when travel is necessary for the pest control company, rather than spend the money on individual tickets, Clark uses their private company jet. Since the company is building a hangar and installing a 12,000 gallon fuel tank at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, they will be able to save on gas costs. Whereas air travelers usually pay upwards of $5 per gallon of gas, Clark will be able to spend roughly $2 per gallon.

When it comes to bringing others to Lodi, Nancy Beckman, the president and CEO of Visit Lodi!, sometimes has to leave town. But when Beckman and staff must attend conferences and trade shows, they plan well in advance, comparing the cost of driving to airfare or whether a hotel is close enough to a convention so that walking can negate the use of a rental car.

Beckman says that she will look for local diners or chain restaurants to cut down on meal costs rather than pay $20 for a hotel breakfast.

"We compare prices, we look at schedules and book early. We get into host hotels at a group rate. My staff is very conscientious on costs," Beckman said. As, too, are the conference organizers. Beckman stated that many tourism shows and conventions are held in the off-season, so that they'll be "going to Detroit in the dead of winter or Arizona in the dead of summer, because ... it's cheaper."

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes