Avis Chauffeur Drive Case Study: Meeting & Event Services

Benefits

• 25% savings over black car and shuttle services


• Convenient transportation for key customers and staff during each conference


• Comfortable, low-mileage Avis vehicles

Background

Challenge

Aon’s Marketing and Corporate Communications teams drive the company’s participation in major industry conferences and tradeshows. From exhibits to speaking engagements and customer meetings, the team leverages these events to boost the company’s visibility and build relationships with key accounts and prospects who attend to learn about the latest trends in insurance and risk.

Aon was looking to arrange transportation during the 2009 Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Annual Conference & Exhibition in Orlando. The Procurement and Global Spend Management department saw an opportunity to leverage Aon’s relationship with Avis by using Avis Chauffeur Drive by WeDriveU to transport clients, prospects and marketing and sales staff between the conference, meeting locations, dinners and other local venues.

Solution

Aon selected Avis Chauffeur Drive by WeDriveU to provide drivers for 15 shuttles using comfortable, low-mileage Avis vehicles. With seating for multiple passengers and room for luggage and event supplies, the chauffeured Avis vehicles offered an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional black car services and shuttle buses used in previous years. Lower profile vehicles also allowed Aon to present an image that was right-sized for the challenging economic conditions.

WeDriveU managed all transportation during the event, including coordination with regional Avis locations to pick-up and return the Avis vehicles. Services also included onsite management and around-the-clock dispatching. WeDriveU drove passengers between the hotels, conference, restaurants and local attractions.

Results

Avis Chauffeur Drive was a key part of the successful introduction of the Aon Global Risk Insight Platform and Aon Client Promise® to clients and prospects at RIMS. Using Avis Chauffeur Drive, Aon saved thousands of dollars over black car services used in previous years. WeDriveU’s experienced transportation managers handled all the details, freeing Aon to focus on its clients and prospects. Aon was so pleased with Avis Chauffeur Drive that they expanded the model to the 2010 conference in Boston, where WeDriveU chauffeured 15 Avis SUVs and provided more than 1,000 transfers over three days between the Boston Convention Center, four hotels, local restaurants and other attractions.

According to account manager Kari Sutherlin-Cohan, “Aon’s feedback was incredibly positive and they stated, ‘Aon could not have been happier with the service.’” She added, “They’ve said they will use WeDriveU for the RIMS conference next year in Vancouver. We are also exploring smaller events throughout the year with Aon, including those associated with their new global partnership and shirt sponsorship of Manchester United.”

Snapshot

Full-service onsite transportation management at 2009 and 2010 RIMS Conference and Exposition. 2010 event recap:

• Client rented 15 vehicles from Avis and contracted WeDriveU to provide chauffeurs over 3 days with approximately 1,000 transfers


• Pre-event route planning and onsite dispatching managed by WeDriveU


• WeDriveU coordinated vehicle procurement & logistics with Avis, including reserving, picking up, storing and returning cars


• WeDriveU chauffeurs provided transportation between hotels, conference, restaurants and local attractions

Download the Case Study

Click here to download this case study as a .pdf file

Schedule a Free Cost Savings Assessment

Compare our services to bids you've received from other ground transportation service providers. Complete a brief survey and we'll schedule a complimentary consultation to review great savings opportunities. Start my cost savings assessment.