Dear Industry Professional,

The press release below expresses our sympathies for those who are being impacted by Hurricane Katrina. It contains a link to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) web site. On the FEMA website you will find a list of organizations that are supporting the disaster relief efforts that are currently underway.

Sincerely,

For Immediate Release
31 August 2005

ACTE President To Members: Respond To The Needs of Hurricane Disaster Victims

Alexandria, Va (Aug. 31) - The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) expresses its sympathies for those who are impacted by Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and surrounding communities in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Katrina caused extensive damage, and despite widespread news coverage, most readers and viewers are unable to imagine the vastness of the disaster. Storm surges flooded entire communities and washed away others. At this time, the Washington Post estimates 110 deaths just in Mississippi, with millions more impacted through mandatory evacuations and lost electricity in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Even the purity of drinking water is in serious question.

While ACTE is calculating the economic impact of Hurricane Katrina on the business travel industry, Koch stated that everyone's primary concern should be the safety and welfare of the hundreds of thousands of people left without necessities such as drinking water, food, shelter, and electricity.

"Both the government and individuals are doing all they can to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This is a time when the actions of an individual can rival the efforts of government," said Koch. For a full list of organizations assisting in the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief effort, please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Web site at http://www.fema.org

ACTE leadership is in contact with various ACTE members in the storm-ravaged region, and is standing by to assist in any way possible.

For more information, please contact:

Jack Riepe
Global Communications Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
Tel: 1-610-719-8396
Mobile: 1-610-256-0124
E-mail: [email protected]

Stanislas Berteloot
Regional Director EMEA
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
Tel/Fax +33 1 60 19 39 07
USA line direct 1-201-399-2274
Mobile + 33 6 80 40 40 56
Email: [email protected]

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