GetThere has formed a European customer advisory board (CAB).  The think-tank comprises 10 European customers and meets quarterly to help spearhead the system’s focus on addressing evolving regional needs.
Board members include travel managers and buyers from BSkyB, General Electric and KPMG, among others.  The group is led by GetThere director of account management and strategic partnerships, Brannon Winn.

“Strategic direction from our customers is crucial to our planning and product development,” Winn said. “If there’s a business travel trend brewing anywhere in Europe, members of this group will know about it and keep us in the picture.  We can then adapt or adopt quickly, and all our customers benefit.”

Board members also provide feedback on GetThere’s content and functionality.  Winn uses the information from each meeting to help shape GetThere’s European product development schedule.

In return for keeping GetThere ahead of the game, members hear from subject experts on topical issues such as e-fulfillment and deregulation. 

GetThere has used the CAB concept successfully in North America and other regions.  Winn said he was applying in Europe lessons drawn from the concept elsewhere.
——-