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.
“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
The Hidden Costs of a Misaligned Program
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.
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—it 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.
81%
Online Adoption
With exceptions being made for VIP and international itineraries.
100%
Credit Utilization
Recovered $40,000 + in savings through better credit management.
24/7
Support
No more stranded travalers. Real-time, human experts, now a call, chat, or click away.
Proactive
Program Management
Better vendor terms, fewer surprises. Savings through strategy.
In David’s Words
“I wanted a TMC that was going to be sitting next to me throughout the process. Encore didn’t just hand over a tool and walk away. They worked side by side with us, providing guidance and real solutions. That partnership made all the difference.”
— David Kelleher, Director of Procurement at Maker’s Pride
Ready to Redefine
Your Travel Program?
The transformation at Maker’s Pride delivered a high-performing travel program that provided measurable value.
Partner with Encore today.
About Encore Corporate Travel
Since 1987, Encore Corporate Travel has partnered with CFOs, CPOs, and travel program leaders to reimagine what business travel can be—simpler, smarter, and more personal.
Encore’s combines 24/7 Traveler Services, proprietary Zii Travel Technology, with strategic Program Management to deliver clarity, control, and care across every touchpoint. As a proudly woman-owned, independent company, Encore moves fast, solves harder problems, and grows with intention. With a vision to be global by 2030, the company is scaling on its own terms—never compromising on the personalized service that sets it apart.
Encore is a proud member of the GBTNetwork.
For media inquiries contact Christie Thompson at [email protected]
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