How Maker’s Pride Transformed Its Travel Program
Maker’s Pride travel program wasn’t broken- it was mismatched. The tools, service levels, and visibility didn’t reflect how the company operated or what travelers actually needed. And without a dedicated owner, travel spend was happening in the background- unseen and uncontrolled.
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Maker’s Pride is a mid-major company, but the TMC we had was built for Fortune 500 enterprises. The service wasn’t where we needed it to be.
David Kelleher,
Director of Procurement at Maker’s Pride
Low Adoption
Only 18% of bookings went through the program. Most employees booked outside it to avoid the hassle. The tool was difficult to use and lacked transparency.
A $40,000 Wake-up Call
A program review found $40,000 in unused credits- just the tip of the iceberg. With only 18% adoption, the true leakage was likely 4.5 times higher.
No Support System
Without centralized help, travelers were on their own when disruptions hit- adding frustration to every trip.
Built on 40 Years of Trust
Finding the Right Travel Partner
Maker’s Pride partnered with Encore to build a program that fit the business- structured, visible, and easy to adopt.
Their priorities included:
A centralized platform to capture bookings and data
A user-friendly technology to drive adoption and policy compliance
Proactive support to keep travelers confident and productive
Real-time visibility into spend and savings opportunities
A Seamless Transition
This wasn’t just a tech switch, was a cultural reset. Encore worked directly with executives, admins, and travelers from day one. Their team delivered live training, clear communications, and ongoing support to make adoption easy and intuitive. The results? Employees didn’t just comply- they genuinely saw the value.
A Travel Program That Works
Employee engagement surged. David no longer had to chase adoption- teams embraced the program because it worked for them.
91% Online Adoption
Centralized, user-friendly booking drove adoption from 18% to 91%
100% Credit Utilization
Recovered $40,000 + in savings through better credit management.
24/7 Support
No more stranded travelers. Real-time, human experts, now a call, chat, or click away.
Proactive Program Management
Better vendor terms, fewer surprises. Savings through strategy.
About Encore
For 40 years, Encore Corporate Travel has helped CFOs, CPOs, and travel leaders reimagine business travel—simpler, smarter, and more personal.
With 24/7 Traveler Services, proprietary technology, proactive program management, and integrated Meetings & Events, Encore delivers clarity, control, and care across every experience.
As a proudly woman-owned, independent company, Encore moves fast, solves harder problems, and grows with intention, never compromising on the personalized service that sets it apart.
