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1998 Regional Forum Schedule Established Washington, DC - The Association of Corporate Travel Executives has announced its 1998 Regional Forum schedule, with 7 forums to be held in Europe and 15 in North America . Regional Forums are one-day educational seminars designed to provide valuable information to ACTE members during the hiatus between the association's Annual Member's Conference (31 May - 3 June, New Orleans) and the ACTE Global Conference (8-10 November, Paris). "Regional Forums give attendees the opportunity to participate in interactive learning sessions and to network with national peers from all segments of the travel industry," commented Colleen Guhin, ACTE's Vice President of Education. 7 Regional Forums will take place across Europe with the first being held in London, at the St. James Court Hotel on 18 February 1998. Additional Forums are scheduled for 4 March, Zurich; 2 April, Amsterdam; 23 June, Manchester; 17 September, Stockholm; 1 October, Brussels; 8 December, London. ACTE is pleased to announce the Official Sponsors of its 1998 European Regional Forums: American Express, Business Travel International, Carlson Wagonlit, Europcar, First Travel Management International, Hotels Sofitel, Internet Worldwide Business Travel Management, Reed Travel Group and Visa International. "Following the opening of our office in Brussels, we are delighted to be better able to serve our European Membership offering first class educational programmes throughout the continent" states David Randall, Chairman of ACTE Europe and Vice President UK Purchasing, Citibank. The first forum to be held at the St James Court Hotel in London, on 18 February, is entitled "Trends in Travel Management". Two independent topics are to be analysed. The morning session will address the question: "Who is Today's Travel Manager? What does the future hold for him/her?" Increasingly, with managers being brought into travel purchasing and supply management from other areas of the company, travel managers are becoming multi-disciplinary. How do they cope with this rapidly evolving industry? The role of the travel manager, and his/her expectations, vary hugely from one company to the next - as do corporate policies and strategies. Join panelists and find out how industry partners can best interact ? Speakers include: Harold Seligman - Management Alternatives Inc.; Paul Wait - VP Sale sand Account Management, American Express; and Tony D'Astolfo - National Sales Manager, UK and Ireland, United Airlines. The afternoon session will focus on 'Hotel: Last room availability - Fact or Fiction?' Where does the truth lie? Senior representatives from hotel and CRS companies, as well as travel managers and agencies, will debate this hot issue offering advice on negotiating contracts, pitfalls to be avoided, solutions and globalisation. Speakers include: Simon Kerr - Assistant Director of Sales, Hilton (Five Star); Geoff Cheshire - Business Development Director, UK, Forte; Charles Cockell - Group Managing Director, BSI and Asif Mehmood - Manager Associated Marketing, SABRE. Both sessions encourage full audience participation. The topic will first be debated by the panel and then delegates will be invited to join the discussion. Registration fees are BF6.000 for ACTE members, BF9.000 for non-members or BF11.000 for non-members joining ACTE (this includes a year's annual membership at a reduced rate - BF5.000). Full information can be obtained by phoning the ACTE Europe Office on +32 2 743 1589 or fax + 32 2 743 1550. In addition to the European Forums, 15 Regional Forums will be held across North America, with the first taking place in New York on 29 January. For additional information please contact ACTE on +1 414 763 1902. The Association of Corporate Travel Executives is a not-for-profit professional organisation comprised of corporate practitioners of travel management techniques and suppliers of business travel services. ACTE was formed in 1987 expressly to educate, promote, protect and advance the interests of its members as well as the interests of the corporate travel industry as a whole. ---------------------
For further information contact:
Nikki Walker
Lisa Lopinsky # # #
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