Facing inconsistent bookings and limited rate leverage, Forefront partnered with Christopherson to centralize hotel sourcing, secure the right hotel mix (including preferred brands and full service extended stay options), and capture measurable savings—without overloading internal teams.
When Forefront, a company specializing in culinary and support services, began working with Christopherson on hotel sourcing, the company was facing a familiar set of challenges: inconsistent booking practices, lack of negotiated rates, and limited visibility into overall hotel spend. Employees often chose hotels based on personal preference rather than company policy, resulting in inefficiencies and missed opportunities for savings.
“We need a minimum of two, if not three, hotels per opening—maybe one on the Hilton side, one on the Marriott side, and then one for extended stay,” explained David Quenneville, Director of Supply Chain at Forefront.
Additionally, Forefront needs to create hotel partnerships in advance of proven production, which adds a challenging element to negotiations.
Christopherson’s end-to-end hotel solution brought structure, expertise, and consistency. Instead of each team member trying to find the best rates on their own, the sourcing process is now centralized, with competitive pricing established through market comparisons. This shift has eliminated the guesswork of rate negotiations, ensured consistency across locations, and delivered preferred hotel options tailored to Forefront’s needs—major brand partners plus extended-stay properties for long assignments.
“It is nice that we don’t have to negotiate the rates any longer,” said Quenneville. “The Christopherson team is comparing with other hotels a block down the road, so we can ideally see if this was a great price or not versus us just taking a whack at it and getting lucky.”
The results have been significant. By leveraging hotel sourcing automation, Forefront has already realized significant savings in just nine months. Through tighter hotel booking policies and driving more stays into negotiated properties, more than one-third of bookings are now utilizing negotiated rates.
Beyond financial impact, the program has improved operational efficiency by standardizing hotel use across the company. Forefront employees are now consistently recognized by hotel partners because bookings flow through Christopherson’s tools and advisors, building stronger relationships with hoteliers and elevating Forefront’s profile as a repeat client.
Amenities such as free parking and on-site dining have been incorporated into negotiations, further reducing total trip costs for employees who may be on assignment for weeks or months. Small details, like securing free parking in cities where fees can exceed $30 per night, add up to meaningful savings over time.
Perhaps most importantly, the partnership has brought stability and reliability to Forefront’s travel program.
"It’s a partnership—I truly feel that,” said Quenneville. "There is true care with the work done, and it has never disappointed. The hotel sourcing program always exceeds expectations. We're fortunate to have it."
For Forefront, Christopherson’s hotel program solutions have delivered measurable savings, streamlined sourcing, and stronger vendor recognition—all while reinforcing the value of strategic travel partnerships.
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