Corporate Travel and Events continue to weather the economic crisis caused by the global financial meltdown. Severe measures taken by companies to reduce travel spend have created a cost-driven mentality in the business travel industry and a renewed push to adopt alternatives to maintain corporate mobility, critical in operating within a global environment. When business optimism is restored, there will be pent-up demand but this economic crisis will leave indelible changes to the industry. Corporate travel professionals with adept vision, diverse skills, and sound business relationships will secure the advantage. Likewise, travel management programmes that are guided by the following key principles will lead the way:
The New Year is upon us and those of us in the business travel industry will have our work cut out for us. The events of the last quarter of 2008 have defined what will occupy our attention for many months ahead. Travel managers in the Asia-Pacific region and globally have been tasked with keeping tight controls on costs, but the role has also been expanded. As a complement to air travel programmes, demand management now sits on par with strategic sourcing for best-in-class deals and programme compliance management. The agenda for travel managers today must include a higher standard of care to ensure traveller safety after witnessing the attacks in the heart of Mumbai and threatening political unrest in Bangkok. These incidents serve as timely reminders of how travel policies have become much more than managing costs incurred by travelling employees.
To view events taking place in your city in 2009, please visit the ACTE Education Calendar and check back often for updates and registration details.
In 2009, ACTE's Asia-Pacific mission, guided by its mantra "Advancing the Industry," will challenge corporate buyers and suppliers to shape the future of business travel. ACTE educational events are scheduled in the region's major business hubs, and several committees will present avenues to develop new capabilities in fields ranging from data management and employee productivity, to cost-savings strategies and new technology.
Extraordinary challenges demand novel answers which are found in lessons learned from the past, a vision of the future and the conscious observation of the present. No person or organisation can claim to be the exclusive owner of these solutions. This fact underpins the need for collective learning and best knowledge management. Collaborative networks of buyers and suppliers, using their respective intelligence, will develop answers that fit the challenge. ACTE provides the stage for this to happen through its various channels of educational events, an archive of industry knowledge – ACTE Connect, online communities and committees. Together they account for some of the most imaginative and innovative solutions that have produced positive results for the business travel industry.
Your involvement in ACTE counts, and I encourage you to be part of this dynamic dialogue to advance the region's industry and our profession.
Best wishes,
Georgie Farmer
Regional Chair, Asia-Pacific
ACTE
Asia Travel Manager
Global Procurement Group
Microsoft
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ACTE Board Member, Asia-Pacific |
ACTE Regional Chair, Asia-Pacific |
| 16 June 2009 | Executive Forum | Beijing, People’s Republic of China |
| 18 June 2009 | Executive Forum | Shanghai, People’s Republic of China |
| 08 October 2009 | Executive Forum | Sydney, Australia |
| 03 November 2009 | Executive Forum | New Delhi, India |
| 05 November 2009 | Executive Forum | Bangalore, India |
| 19 November 2009 | Executive Forum | Singapore, Singapore |
To view events taking place in your city in 2009, please visit the ACTE Global Education Calendar and check back often for updates and registration details.
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