I used to marvel at how our sales team loved being on the road. We all know that not every trip is as smooth as a Blacklane. I’m not the only one who hops from city to city missing bedtime stories while navigating poor connections and another security queue.

The less-than-glamourous moments get to us all. But then I spent the first half of this year joining our UK and Ireland sales team at conferences, roadshows, events, client pitches, training sessions and even scavenger hunts to bring Blacklane bookers together.

I’ve been inspired and energised by the infectious camaraderie of the business travel industry.

Prior to this year my Blacklane career was a little more operations than sales focused. So while I touched elements of the industry, I had a lot to learn – 2026 is my year of becoming truly embedded in all things corporate travel.

What a whirlwind. My passport already has more stamps than the Race Across the World production team. My wife is worried I’ve forgotten all about our Wiltshire home (of course, the dog is more concerned).

“I’ve been inspired and energised with the infectious camaraderie of the business travel industry”

I have never experienced an industry that is so open minded, diversity-focused and that simply enjoys working with each other so much.

We are by nature a global bunch. Our business relies on other people having that same passion for travelling to new places to meet new faces and feel more connected. And it really shows.

From conferences tackling challenges such as accessibility and neurodiversity in travel, to event programming with everything from drag shows to mentoring programmes for young talent, this is an industry that embraces everyone equally as standard. There are many other sectors that could learn a lot from us.

I’ve also seen the resilience and grit of the corporate travel sector come to life. Conferences addressed the cycle of pressure-points, including extreme weather events, major airport closures, international conflict, and how ever increasing costs of living – and now fuel – are impacting the travel industry.

Despite this unpredictability, the overriding theme was the ‘bounce-back’. The power of the industry to come together, to problem solve and to harness expertise to win both traveller and business leader confidence.

In my role as part of the GBTA’s transportation committee I’m working with industry colleagues to capture these positive trends – and of course the challenges – across our global sector. Please add your thoughts to our research. There is a buyer and supplier survey to ensure all diverse voices are heard. Find the GBTA Transportation Committee on Linkedin for more information.

Thank you for the education and the reminder that working together makes our industry stronger, more resilient and positively more fun. It’s a pleasure to be on this road with you.

blacklane.com