Welcome back to the Travel Again Advisory Podcast! Season 3 is officially underway, and we're kicking things off with a special episode packed with industry insights and a major announcement: Linda McNairy is joining Travel Again Advisory as the Head of Meetings and Events!
In this episode, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver chat with Linda about her extensive experience and her vision for the future of the meetings and events industry. Linda brings over 25 years of global travel and meetings industry expertise to the team, with key leadership roles at American Express Meetings & Events and StarCite (Cvent). A true change maker, Linda has a passion for bringing people together in meaningful and effective ways, while simultaneously creating transformations in the meetings industry.
Transcript of the Episode:
Hosts:
Mike McCormick
Ed Silver
Special Guest:
Linda McNary (Head of Meetings & Events Practice, Travel Again Advisory)
Introduction
Ed:Welcome to Travel Again Presents, the weekly travel roundup covering the headwinds and tailwinds impacting the business of travel. I’m Ed Silver, here with my co-host, Mike McCormick. Mike, how are you doing?
Mike:I’m great, Ed. Good to see you. We’re kicking off Season 3 of our podcast—welcome to Season 3! This year is shaping up to be exciting with plenty of news to cover, plus a special guest and an announcement to make. There’s so much going on in the world of travel.
Recent Airline Crashes in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia
Ed:Let’s jump into the latest travel news. A couple of plane crashes have occurred over the past few weeks—one involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA/American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C., and another crash in northeast Philadelphia. There’s still a lot we don’t know, and investigations are ongoing. Our best wishes go out to those affected.
From a broader perspective, these incidents remind us how crucial air travel safety is. Thankfully, serious crashes are rare, but any time they happen, they draw massive attention.
Mike:Exactly. Air travel is incredibly safe overall, yet when an accident like this happens, it’s tragic and has everyone’s attention. We have to be patient, allow the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to do their work, and figure out the causes.
Incidents like these also bring up conversations about the U.S. air traffic control system, which is notoriously antiquated. We’ve been lobbying for modernization and funding for years. Updated systems could mean safer, more efficient travel. Hopefully these events remind lawmakers how important it is to move forward with modernization efforts.
AI Advancements: OpenAI’s “Operator” Tool
Ed:Switching gears, let’s talk about technology—specifically AI. It seems like every day there’s a new development. OpenAI just announced a tool called “Operator,” which can actually navigate websites and applications on your behalf. It’s a big step beyond simple chat because it can “click” around and fill out forms.
Mike:So how does this help with travel?
Ed:For one, it could revolutionize how people search and book. Instead of manually visiting a site, you instruct the AI to check flights, compare options, or even complete a purchase. Right now, this is only in the high-end tier of OpenAI services, but it’s a glimpse of the future. Other AI platforms will likely follow. Eventually, we might see sites that include a specialized “AI-friendly” interface, making it super easy for AI agents to shop and book travel.
Apple’s New Digital Invitation App
Ed:Next up, Apple has launched a new invitation app for those with iCloud+ subscriptions. It’s basically a digital event-invitation and mini-event-management tool. While it’s mostly for simpler gatherings (like parties or small events), I see potential for it to evolve into something bigger.
Mike:Agreed. It may not replace large-scale corporate event technology, but any new Apple feature can affect mainstream user behavior. Event planners should keep an eye on how these smaller-scale tools might merge with bigger platforms down the road. Also, Apple’s known for usability—it could eventually become an easier way to coordinate small team offsites or internal events.
The Rise of Meetings & Events in Business Travel
Ed:This ties into our main topic: meetings and events. After COVID, the recovery in corporate travel followed a different path than the 2008–2009 financial crisis. Back then, international business travel led the rebound. Post-COVID, leisure travel boomed first—people were desperate to get out. Then meetings and events took off.
Remote work has changed the workplace dynamic, so companies need in-person events for team building, strategy, and networking. Conferences are thriving, fueling the business travel rebound. Meetings and events are no longer a silo; they’re front and center in corporate strategy.
Mike:Exactly. We’re seeing a resurgence in conferences, trade shows, and internal meetings. Leaders realize how vital face-to-face time is to foster innovation, collaboration, and trust—things you just can’t fully replicate on video calls.
Introducing Our Special Guest and New Practice Head: Linda McNary
Ed:That brings us to our special announcement: we’re launching a new Meetings & Events Practice at Travel Again Advisory. We’ve asked industry veteran Linda McNary to head this new division. Linda has a stellar background in meetings and events, with leadership roles at American Express Meetings & Events, StarCite, and Cvent. She excels at driving partnerships, delivering innovative event solutions, and growing businesses in the meetings sector.
Linda, welcome!
Linda:Thanks, Ed! It’s great to join Travel Again. I’m excited to help our clients with the fast-evolving world of meetings and events.
Linda’s Perspective on Key Trends
Mike:Linda, let’s talk trends. What should we keep an eye on in 2025 and beyond?
Linda:One major shift is delivering content in more engaging, memorable ways. Nobody wants day-long PowerPoint marathons. We need dynamic agendas, interactive sessions, and experiences that foster real connection.
The second area is “waste not, want not.” Sustainability is a big factor, but it goes beyond just recycling. For example, food-and-beverage planning should be thoughtful. Ask yourself: Who is attending? What do they actually eat? With more people on special diets or wellness regimens, serving giant buffets that go untouched doesn’t make sense. Many hotels are eager to partner on creative menus and even donate unneeded portions to local charities.
Finally, “new rules of engagement.” Our world is chaotic: changing regulations, weather events, supply chain issues, potential border/tariff changes. Planners need to be prepared to pivot. Contingency planning and nimbleness are crucial. Work closely with venues and suppliers; build strong partnerships so you can handle disruptions calmly and effectively.
Conclusion and Takeaways
Ed:Linda, we’re thrilled to have you on board leading our Meetings & Events Practice. We see huge opportunities for innovation, mergers and acquisitions, and new technology shaping the future of this sector.
Mike:Absolutely. Meetings and events are integral to the travel industry’s future. Thanks, Linda, and welcome again to Travel Again Advisory!
Ed:That wraps up our show. If you need help navigating the dynamic travel space—be it understanding consumer trends, planning events, or seeking strategic advice—reach out to us at TravelAgainAdvisory.com. We’re here to help.
Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you on the next episode!
End of Transcript
Note: This edited transcript has been condensed and reformatted for clarity and readability.
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