July 19, 2017
At the Global Business Travel Association conference in Boston, Business Travel News presented the Best Practitioner award last night to Jennifer Steinke, Manager, Corporate Travel at Dycom Industries, a client of Short's Travel. BTN editor-in-chief Elizabeth West announced the winner, chosen by BTN from nominations submitted by the industry.
Steinke is active in all facets of the travel industry. Her willingness to incorporate new technologies and partner with innovative vendors creates a better experience for her travelers, elevates her company and will drive the industry forward.
Steinke’s current role as Manager, Corporate Travel at Dycom Industries has given her the rare opportunity to implement and create a centralized program from the ground up that includes Dycom corporate headquarters and 40+ subsidiary locations across the country.
When looking to develop the program, Steinke needed to identify partners that help her think out of the box and empower her to create new products and efficiencies. The Dycom travel program has a unique mix of travel expenditures with a heavy emphasis on hotel volume. Steinke has been a driving force in developing a mobile strategy for Dycom and STO (Short's Travel Online) Mobile hotel capability for her travelers.
Steinke's overall focus for the program includes three pillars of success: Safety, Service and Savings. Previously in their decentralized program, the company was at risk should any world or local event affect their travelers.
Her Duty of Care program has quickly integrated a robust communication network to Dycom’s nationwide employees to provide the greatest level of early warning and support during travel disruption. Travel service at Dycom Industries is now a more transparent and coordinated effort due to the revamped Travel Policy implemented by Steinke. She is currently a critical stakeholder in creating a new Duty of Care offering from Short's Travel, expected to launch later this year.
The newly-managed program now generates revenue savings in areas previously unrealized by Dycom Industries. By focusing on hotel spend and creating a managed hotel program, she will offset major costs within Dycom’s Travel and Expense budget.
In addition to leading and managing a world class travel program, Steinke also volunteers her time to various associations and philanthropic efforts. She currently serves on the GBTA Education Board and is a member of Women in Travel’s (WINit) Partnership Liaison Committee. As a WINit committee member, Steinke is tasked with providing administrative and technical support to leadership and manages strategic relationships including the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). She also serves as a mentor in the industry helping shape upcoming travel professionals and the industry as it moves forward. Steinke consistently continues to provide education and insight to industry leaders and colleagues through speaking on multiple industry panels, webinars and educational sessions. She has also authored several white papers and contributes regularly to BTN.
Steinke has moved the travel needle for not only Dycom Industries but the travel industry at large. Her knowledge, experience, and commitment to positive change for her travelers and her community is unsurpassed. Short’s Travel is proud to partner with such an exceptional thought leader and travel professional. More