It may seem hard to believe, but the association developed to educate, promote and advance the interests of travel industry professionals originated on the Parsippanny, NJ kitchen table of Peter Jensen in 1986. He and corporate travel management executives Rudy Monteleone (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals) and Ed Chu (Warner Lambert) envisioned an association that would recognize the interdependence among corporate travel purchasers and all categories of suppliers, and treat them as equals. This group's initial solicitation for membership corresponded with the official incorporation of ACTE in June, 1987. The association boasted over 300 members by the end of 1988.
ACTE's first annual members' convention, as it was then called, was held in New Orleans in February, 1989 and attracted over 800 attendees. The conference focused on networking and educational programs to provide meaningful dialogue and foster productive working relationships. This continues to be the emphasis of ACTE conferences to this day.
At the February, 1990 ACTE conference in Miami, Rudy Monteleone was installed as ACTE's first president. His officer ranks included Kay Nalbach (HartMarx), VP Administration and Secretary; Mike Spooner (Reynolds Metals), VP Finance and Treasurer; Jeanie Thompson-Smith (Topaz Enterprises), VP Education; and Ed Chu, VP Planning and Operations. At the time, ACTE's headquarters was located in Morristown, New Jersey. Staff members included Bob Graze, Executive Director, and Ed McLeane, Director Member Services.
In February, 1992 a new group of officers was installed at ACTE's conference in Atlanta. David Murphy (Professional Travel Consultants) was named the new President; Armand LeCompte, VP Administration and Secretary; Stephen Iannotta (Air Products), VP Finance and Treasurer; Darrell Burns (Travel and Transport), VP Education and Howard Pierce (Bellcore), VP Planning and Operations. A new officer position: VP International Development, was assumed by Steven Schoen (The Global Group). Rudy Monteleone became the association's Chairman.
The 1994 annual conference, entitled ACTE VI Nashville, attracted 450 participants. Reflecting the association's emerging international growth, ACTE's first Canadian President, Steven Bush (CAE Electronics) was installed. Howard Pierce became VP Administration and Secretary; Armand LeCompte, VP Planning and Operations and Andrew Menkes (IVI Travel), VP Finance and Treasurer. Steven Schoen remained VP International Development, and former President, David Murphy, became Chairman. During Steven Bush's tenure, Terrell Mellen was hired as Executive Director. Ms. Mellen moved ACTE's headquarters to Washington, DC and hired a new professional staff.
President Steve Bush resigned in December, 1994 due to family interests that forced him to reprioritize his time. In accordance with ACTE's bylaws, the VP of Operations and Planning, Armand LeCompte, assumed the Presidency. Howard Pierce filled the then-vacant VP Administration and Secretary post; Andrew Menkes became VP Planning and Operations; and former VP Finance, Mike Spooner, was recruited to fill that position once again. John Lavin (Hyatt) became VP Education.
At the 1996 ACTE VIII Seattle conference over 650 registrants were in attendance. The current ACTE Officers were installed: Earl Foster (Hewlett-Packard), President; Gary DiVincenzo (Rhone Poulenc Rorer), VP Operations and Planning; Julie Hylton (Omni Hotels), VP Administration; Dan Merrill (Red Roof Inns), VP Finance and Treasurer and Henry Keizer (Euro-Confer), VP International Development. Armand LeCompte assumed the Chairman's post and John Lavin continued as VP Education.
As ACTE continues into its ninth year, the association is in solid financial shape with strong economic projections for 1996-97. One of the most significant successes ACTE is experiencing continues to be membership growth. ACTE's membership is currently approaching 1,100, representing the elite of both the supply side and corporate side of the travel industry. More than 30% of ACTE members are from outside the US with the most substantial growth coming from the UK.
ACTE's conferences and regional forums continue to be both critical and financial successes. ACTE's publications, the ACTE Quarterly and ACTE Update fulfill important communications purposes within the ACTE membership and to the outside business world as well. The publications continue to be improved and, in the case of the ACTE Quarterly, circulation expanded.
By all accounts, ACTE is well-positioned for the future. Special recognition is due to past presidents, officers and, particularly, the legions of volunteers who have dedicated considerable time and effort through the years in helping realize the goals of the association.
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