The State of Corporate Travel and Expense 2022 22 SKIFT + TRIPACTIONS of CTDMs expect their off ices to go fully remote after the pandemic. The majority, 66 percent and 63 percent, respectively, anticipate returning to the office at least some of the time. How does your company plan to handle remote work after the pandemic? Fully remote (no company office) Partially remote (some days in the office, some at home) Office only (full workweek in the office) Fully remote (no company office) Partially remote (some days in the office, some at home) Office only (full workweek in the office) Business Travelers Corporate Travel Decision Makers The pandemic has similarly triggered a wave of breathless speculation and outright declarations f rom industry pundits, technology providers, and the media on how remote work will interrupt and forever transform meetings and corporate travel. But all the absolute talk about “the new normal” does not align with what those in the industry are experiencing. For example, a research-backed report f rom Dallas- based global event producer Freeman finds strong interest and “ an accelerated return ” to in-person events. The study found that most (85 percent) of the respondents called live events “irreplaceable because of their ability to drive commerce and networking that creates partnerships and innovation.” Additionally, 78 percent of attendees and 80 percent of exhibitors expect to attend in-person events in fall 2021; by winter, those numbers rise to 94 percent and 95 percent, respectively. The Freeman feedback conforms with Skift’s and TripActions’ f indings that most respondents still recognize the advantages of meeting in person over the phone or video screen. Well-versed in the value of face-to-face engagement, 73 percent of business travelers strongly or somewhat agreed that meeting in person is more effective than meeting virtually. Agree or disagree: “When it comes to getting things done, meeting in person is more effective than meeting virtually.” Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Business Travelers Looking ahead, business travelers (61 percent) and program managers (62 percent) equally believe that remote work may impact both the f requency (61 and 62 percent, respectively) and the purpose (both at 58 percent) of business trips. 19% 14% 15% 23% 66% 66% 18% 35% 38% 2% 7%