Helping Oceania Football Confederation score big with strategic travel management

About OFC

As the governing body for football across the South Pacific, OFC plays a crucial role in developing the sport from grassroots to elite levels. They support 11 Member Associations and two Associate Members through financial assistance and educational expertise while organising regional qualifiers for FIFA World Cup tournaments. 

The travel challenge

Managing travel for a dynamic organisation like OFC is no small feat. They required scalable travel solutions capable of handling both individual and group bookings while managing complex travel requirements across different time zones.

It's not just about moving people across destinations. We needed a partner who understood our business and could deliver both tangible and intangible value.
- Anton Scheppers, Procurement & Logistics Manager, OFC

The organisation also needed robust financial management with transparent fee structures, alongside innovative technology solutions, to support their continued business growth. 

Finding the right TMC

When OFC decided it was time to review their travel management setup, they weren’t just looking for a provider - they wanted a real partner who could bring fresh ideas to the table. To find the right match, they went out to tender, inviting bids from some of the best in the business. This process helped them dig deep into what each TMC could offer, from smarter solutions and cost savings to better experiences for their travellers.

We developed a comprehensive framework based on what really mattered to our organisation, says Scheppers. We needed scale, expertise, and a genuine understanding of sports management.

The evaluation process focused on:

• Service excellence
• Strategic account management
• Financial management
• Technology and innovation capabilities 

The solution

After evaluating their options, OFC chose to continue their partnership with Corporate Traveller, citing our ability to deliver both tangible savings and intangible value.

Going to market, we found that Corporate Traveller ticked all these boxes, Scheppers notes. When we reviewed our partnership, they remained our best choice.

Corporate Traveller worked closely with OFC to develop a bespoke travel management program that addresses their unique needs with:

Tailored travel management services  

• A dedicated team available during and outside business hours.
• Expertise in managing group bookings and unforeseen travel challenges.

Financial oversight and savings  

• Transparent fee structures and optimised invoicing processes.
• Assistance in negotiating discounts and value-added benefits with airlines.

Technology and innovation:   

• Access to advanced travel tools for streamlined bookings.
• Customised reporting to analyse spending and identify savings opportunities. 

The results

OFC experienced a host of benefits from their partnership with Corporate Traveller:

Tangible benefits
The partnership has delivered optimised pricing through strategic supplier relationships, enhanced negotiating power for preferential rates, and improved booking efficiencies. Most notably, OFC successfully navigated post-COVID travel challenges with minimal disruption to their operations.

Intangible value
Beyond the tangible benefits of optimised pricing and enhanced negotiating power, OFC has gained valuable intangible benefits. Their travellers enjoy seamless experiences backed by comprehensive support and strong local market connections.

The partnership has evolved from a simple service arrangement into a strategic alliance that drives value across every aspect of OFC's travel program.

We've seen significant benefits from this partnership. It's not just transactional - it's a true collaboration that delivers both tangible and intangible value.

Looking ahead

OFC’s story shows the power of finding the right travel management partner. It goes beyond just booking flights and hotels; it's mostly about creating a travel program that supports your organisation’s mission.