Coach vs. Bus: What's the Difference Between Them?
If you’re in the process of planning a long-distance group trip, it will be worth your while to consider the difference between public buses and coach buses for your unique purpose and needs. In this article, we look at the brief history and evolution of buses, coaches, and what is a carriage vs. coach. Read more
What is a Coach Bus And How Many Seats Does it Have?
Despite the increasing variations in coach buses and their interior designs, most will be able to seat between 36 and 60 passengers. This will be largely dependent on the comfort and luxury levels offered as well as on-board amenities to facilitate smoother travel. Read more
History of Public Bus Transportation
Bus manufacturing around the world has become standardized with the same bus designs appearing in most countries. As part of the public transportation network, buses play a huge role in transporting people who do not or cannot own a vehicle. The American Public Transport Association estimated that in 2019, Americans took 9.9 billion trips on public transportation translating into 34 million trips every weekday. Read more
Group Traveling in Chicago by Bus vs. Flying
With our globalized world that is characterized by shrinking borders, we can go to practically any point locally or internationally that we desire. There is much to offer in the modes of transportation in Chicago available, with flights by airplane being viewed as the most convenient ones. However, before you press “Confirm” on your screen when buying your next plane ticket, think again. There are several reasons why group traveling by bus is better than flying.Read more
Safe Group Travel Tips During Covid-19
Most people associate traveling with excitement, unforgettable experiences and mind-opening encounters. However, traveling with a group can become a risky endeavor when it comes to health and safety, especially in times of a global pandemic like Covid-19. Read more
Key differences between a driver and a chauffeur service - insights from Chicago
Most people have probably used a bus charter service at least once. It might have been a ride from the airport to the hotel or maybe tour transportation with charter buses. That trip would not be possible without the person behind the wheel driving from point A to point B. Essentially those are the professionals representing the face of every transportation company and the ones passengers interact with the most. They can be either regular drivers or professional chauffeurs. And in this article, we will explain why and how this is different. Read more
How to choose airport transportation for your next business trip?
You are flying to Chicago for a business trip? An important part of this is planning and booking your airport transportation. In this article, we are going to help you with this task by providing some useful insight that will come in handy while you are browsing for airport transportation services. Read more
How to organize a successful hybrid event conference in Chicago?
After the pandemic hit us everything related to event planning changed. From corporate transportation to choosing the right venue for your conference. Hybrid events are the most common form of organizing events today. In this article, we are going to give you some important tips and tricks related to the successful planning and preparation for such a conference in Chicago.
Choose a hotel with a good internet connection
Hybrid events mean live streaming, people that will be watching and expecting a steady and flawless connection. On the other hand, you have people present in the venue that will use the Wi-Fi as well. This means that you need a steady and reliable internet connection. There are several ways to handle this:
- separate Wi-Fi network for the visitors;
- cable internet that is connected to the computer that handles the live streaming;
- prior tests of the connection before the event with as many connected devices as possible.
Having this is the core thing for the hybrid event. You can’t rely on Wi-Fi alone. If you do so and don’t prepare accordingly, it will be a disaster.
Organize the transport for your guests
In a hybrid event, you are still likely to have a lot of people and speakers present on the spot. Some of them will be coming to Chicago, so there is a need to prepare for all of them. Corporate travel is still a common thing and people prefer to do business face to face. If you can’t handle reservations and arrange charter transport for them, you can at least prepare a welcome guide for the city that should include:
- Agenda of the event;
- Potential hotels you recommend;
- Information on the latest Covid-19 updates and measures;
- Guidelines on how to get to the venue;
- Some information about the tourist sites;
- Information on good restaurants and bars.
This is a nice touch that will make your event stand out and people will appreciate such a gesture.
Help the ones planning corporate travel
A nice thing you can do is help the people that visit to plan accordingly their free time in Chicago and help them with any questions they might have. For example, if they want to go shopping, give them a list of the best stores. If they want to explore local sights, you can even plan a short guided tour for them. If you know the time of the arrival of the different guests, you can even suggest for them to travel together. All of this may seem like an extra effort but it will pay out in the end.
Make sure to have all the presentations and test the whole event
Before the event ask all of the people that are going to present to give you a copy of their presentations. The day before the event you should get them together online for a test of their connection, camera, microphone and check out if they can hear and see everything. Insists that everyone stick with the time that is provided for them. If they have a 20-minute slot for presenting, there is no way to have a presentation with 50 slides and time for Q&A.
Get feedback and send the materials after the event
It is very important to have feedback forms sent to all participants after the event is over. In this way, you will know what you did good and what went wrong. This will give you important insights into your conference and how you can do better next time. You should also send to all participants a link with the presentations, a summary of the event, a video, and if it is possible - a list of contacts with the participants.
Remember, something will likely go wrong. That is okay. Just handle it in the best way possible and continue your conference with a smile.
How to plan for the last business travels at the end of 2021?
The holidays are almost upon us. However, if you are reading this, you have one more business trip ahead of you. We know that you can’t wait to get home for Christmas to your family and friends. And we are here to help you with some advice on how to plan the last business trip at the end of 2021 in a way that will be enjoyable for you and you will manage to get the work done in a great way. Here we go!
Agenda of the business travel
First of all, check the agenda you have ahead of you. If you can influence the agenda and it seems too spread out, try to make some changes and fit everything in one or two days. In most cases, such trips are planned in a way to have some free time and there is some room to move meetings around. Probably everyone will be happy to get home earlier. Discuss such changes with the organizers and try to push them through. You can even try to remove some items from the agenda. It is common for the last day to finish around noon and a formal goodbye dinner to be planned for the evening. If you have an afternoon flight, just skip that thing and go home.
Christmas shopping
Try to save some time and do the Christmas shopping while you are away on corporate travel. In this way, you can buy some interesting gifts for everyone and get back home like Santa Claus. Usually, you can find Christmas markets with a lot of interesting small stores that sell crafts and souvenirs. While exploring the city, you can combine this with buying presents for your loved ones. A beautiful scarf for the wife? Or maybe a hat for your husband? Let your imagination run wild and dedicate your free time to shopping!
Hire corporate transportation
One thing you can do to make everything easier for you is just to hire corporate transportation. You will have a driver that can take you and your colleagues around the city. You don’t have to worry about driving in the winter conditions and the busy traffic and where to park. A professional driver will help you save time and be calm about security and safety. And on the other hand - if there is a business lunch, you can have one or two glasses of wine with a clear conscience. And nobody has to be in the role of the designated driver.
Become a present for the family
This one only works if you are coming home for Christmas or the day before. You will need to have an accomplice in the family. Tell everyone but him/her that you won’t be able to make it in time. The truth is, you will be home. Buy one huge cardboard box and decorate it as a present. Have it with you and once you are on the front door, get inside or have it over you. You can call your “partner in crime” to help you. Then ring the bell and get him/her to take the family to the door. Once everyone is there jump out of the box - it will be the perfect surprise for them!
Business travel around the holidays is something that nobody likes. It is not good for you, for your family, and in most cases - for the company, but it has to be done. Make the best of it for you - stay in a good hotel, hire corporate transportation to get around, and enjoy nice meals. Just be sure to get back in time for that amazing family Christmas dinner.
Planning to visit a conference in Chicago? Here is what you need to know!
Attending a conference in Chicago can be quite an adventure. You have to plan everything - from the hotel to corporate transportation and your free time. And it must all be in line with the agenda of the event. In this article, we are going to cover several important things you need to know before taking the plane to the “Windy City”.
Planning the business travel to Chicago before you take off
In today’s business world, most people plan while they are on the go. They schedule meetings during their stay at the airport, prepare for their presentations the evening before, and even try to have meetings while someone is giving a presentation. This is not the best way to manage your business trip. We like to make the most out of it. And this is why we plan - booking the hotel, arranging meetings with people that we can close deals, plan time for networking and arrange corporate transportation services in Chicago. Everything from the most complex, to the smallest and most simple detail that can be cleared out ahead is being done. In that way, we can be focused and get the most out of the business trip.
Be prepared for networking
Networking is probably the most important part of any conference. You can do it during the coffee breaks, lunchtime, on the cocktail after the event, and even in the evening at the bar. To make an impact in that way, you must be prepared. It is a little outdated approach, but still, nothing can replace the business card. Make sure you have enough from them to give around. If the participation list is available, check who will be attending and who are the speakers.
You can approach them even before the conference and give them a heads up that you would like to meet with them. In that way, you have already made contact and can go straight to business. Another good piece of advice is to update your LinkedIn profile. A lot of people use that as a backup for business cards. Once they meet, they exchange connections in the social network.
And remember - be presentable and look sharp!
Choose the most relevant topics from the agenda to listen to
When you visit a conference that is several days long, there are some panels on the agenda that are not relevant to you. Plan and look for the ones that have real added value for you. In some cases, there are event panels that are being held at the same time and are overlapping. Consider if it wouldn’t be more beneficial to you to organize a meeting with a potential client or another attendee of the conference. Plan your schedule in the best way for you.
Leave some time for exploration of Chicago
Arrange your trip in a way that will leave you some time to explore the beautiful city of Chicago. Despite the time you have and your location, there are a lot of fascinating things you can visit and activities to explore. Keep that in mind when you are buying the plane tickets and picking the time for your flight. We suggest that you spend at least one day exploring the city. Most people plan in a way that lets them stay the weekend. In that way, they are not worried about work and have some time to enjoy themselves.
Be prepared to have at least one wild night
There is a party after any decent conference. It starts during dinner, then continues with cocktails and finishes at some bar or disco. When the work is over, the participants have a good time drinking and dancing. You can add this to your possibilities for networking or just party up. However, it is good to be prepared that you are going to have at least one night when you are going to go to bed early. And maybe not very sober. Of course, it all depends on your preferences. Most people like to rest and be fresh for their trip. For the ones that stay, it usually is a night to remember.
As you see, visiting a conference in Chicago can be less stressful to prepare for and a lot more enjoyable if you take some to prepare and plan. You can achieve a lot of good results in a professional manner and then manage to relax and have a good time once the job is done.