Walking the halls of The PA Show at Excel London was a powerful reminder of just how pivotal EAs and PAs are to business success.
This flagship event – the UK’s premier gathering of executive support professionals – brought together hundreds of assistants, office managers, and VAs to learn, connect and help grow their careers.
With rich CPD-accredited content, networking opportunities and cutting-edge suppliers all under one roof, the energy really was fantastic and the conversations I had were personal, enlightening and hugely insightful.
What do EAs and PAs Want From Their Travel Management Company (TMC)?
One theme stood out above all: EAs and PAs want business travel support that works for them – not against them. Across sessions and stands, the desire for more strategic, reliable, and responsive travel management came through loud and clear. This isn’t just about booking flights and hotels – it’s about building partnerships that power professional success.
As someone who works with EAs and PAs every day, this resonates deeply with me. Their roles are complex, fast-paced and often undervalued. Add business travel into that mix – with constantly changing schedules, cost pressures, disruption risks and compliance requirements – and the stakes rise even higher.
The right travel support shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be a strategic advantage.
At YTC, we’ve heard this loud and clear over many years and that’s why we have acted on it. For our customers, we prioritise in our service:
Reliable Support When It Matters Most
One of the biggest frustrations EAs and PAs shared with me at the PA Show was poor TMC support outside office hours and during disruptions with responses in hours or days rather than minutes. Added on top of this, outdated reporting and a transactional feel from their TMC left many feeling undervalued.
Travel isn’t 9-5, and neither should your support be. That’s why our YTC travel experts provide out of hours support – not bots, not call centres, but people who know you and your travellers by name. From late-night flight changes to urgent hotel rebooking’s, we’re here when you need us most and we respond to your requests fast. No more checking your emails for hours to see if your query has been acted upon!
Faster, Clearer Communication & Insights
Data shouldn’t be a burden – it should be a resource. Too many assistants told me training budgets and reporting tools feel clunky or retro-grade. That’s why YTC provides easy-to-access travel spend insights, tailored reporting and proactive alerts that empower EAs and PAs to plan with confidence, demonstrate value to leadership and optimise budgets without the headache.
A Partnership, Not a Transaction
Perhaps the most consistent message at The PA Show was this: assistants want travel partners who understand them. They don’t want to feel like a low-priority ticket; they want collaboration, respect and a relationship that makes their role easier and more impactful.
YTC’s approach is built around this principle. When we onboard a client, we don’t just set up accounts – we learn how you work, anticipate your needs and build travel solutions around you, your processes and priorities. You can use our industry-leading online booking tool and traveller profile system, or just message your designated travel expert, or a bit of both! You tell us what effortless corporate travel management means to you!
We’re here to lighten your load, free up your time, and help you step out of operational firefighting and into strategic influence.
Amplifying Professional Growth
Events like The PA Show celebrate the empowerment and progression of the executive support community – a mission entirely aligned with YTC’s values. We believe that with the right travel support, EAs and PAs can elevate their impact, advocate better for their leaders and win wins that go unseen but matter deeply.
If The PA Show confirmed one thing for me, it’s this: the future of business travel is human, responsive, and tailored. YTC is committed to delivering exactly that for the EA and PA community.
Let’s take business travel off your to-do list so you can focus on what you do best.
Contact
If you have any questions at all about out travel management company services, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at jay.speller@ytc.co.uk or call me on 020 3370 4364
We look forward to booking your next trip with you!
