Bigger service offering compliments FCM’s fresh new look

Fresh faced after a major brand transformation, global TMC powerhouse, FCM has flagged that its customer service platform in Australia is now ‘bigger and better than ever’ with the addition of two new specialist divisions.

Late in 2020 FCM Australia announced to the market that Flight Centre Travel Group’s meetings and events brand, cievents would transition to FCM Meetings & Events. The merge has been completed and now FCM Australia has revealed 4D Consulting will also integrate with FCM and operate as FCM Consulting.

This latest update follows the global brand’s announcement on Wednesday, 10 March 2021 of an end-to-end rebrand, which has seen the business’s websites, customer communications and social media platforms across 97 countries updated with striking new visuals.

The transition of these two key specialist brands to FCM in Australia, will boost FCM’s client servicing capabilities and opens the door to customers looking for new opportunities to create efficiencies and drive value on their travel spend. It also presents new avenues for customers keen to drive engagement and connect with their employees or other stakeholders through innovative meeting and event solutions.

FCM’s General Manager Australia, Melissa Elf, welcomed the expansion and said the new operational structure was a logical and exciting step forward for the travel group.

“It makes sense to have both these specialist services within the FCM brand, with many of our clients also having sizable meetings and events programs that run alongside their travel programs,” said Melissa. “Additionally, large market clients will often look to a consultant when they need in-depth or complex work carried out by a team that is structured for and highly experienced in travel program deep diving.

“From a customer’s perspective, they can expect a smoother and more cohesive approach to wholistic travel program management because of improved accessibility and integrated systems between our business divisions. The change will provide added flexibility for clients to tap into the expertise of these areas to harness further program efficiencies.”

FCM Consulting General Manager Felicity Burke, welcomed the operational change and said the transition made perfect sense with the consulting division already working closely with many of FCM’s large market clients.

“Corporate travel is starting to ramp up again for quite a few large market clients. Their focus right now is enabling travellers for business trips and ensuring they’re highly visible and safe,” Felicity said. “As the travel industry continues to recover, companies are looking for support to revise travel policies and reassess supplier agreements.”

General Manager FCM Meetings & Events, Simone Seiler, said the transition to FCM had reinvigorated her team and the business’s approach to customer service.

“Having integrated with FCM we have renewed confidence in the market. Our realignment with the changing needs of our customers has also excited us about what’s ahead,” Simone said.

“We have an acute focus on content, strategy and technology and will draw on FCM’s DNA of ‘thinking differently’ to create a new road ahead for the meetings and event sector.”