For Immediate Release
15 September 2005

ACTE and BATM Sign a Partnership to Maximize Members' Benefits

Paris, Brussels (September 15, 2005) - The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) and the Belgian Association of Corporate Travel Management (BATM) are pleased to announce a strengthening of ties between the two organizations. This closer collaboration will result in added benefits and enhanced education to both associations' members. Today's agreement comes after several successful educational partnerships earlier this year between ACTE and national travel and procurement associations. "The Asia-Pacific market represents the fastest growing sector in the business travel management industry, " said ACTE President Greeley Koch and Regional Conference attendee. "Asia-Pacific travel management executives and procurement specialists are using our educational programs as tools to meet their corporate objectives, and to create (delete - region-specific) best practices of their own."

ACTE and BATM solidified their relationship during the organizations’ first joint forum in February. Since that time, both associations have worked closely on a number of important issues affecting their respective memberships. “The partnership formalizes our existing relationship with BATM and sets the stage for future joint ventures that will benefit all members,” says Peter Sijbers, ACTE EMEA Chair. Erna Witoetlar, United Nations Special Ambassador MDG, for Asia and Pacific, focused on the role of business in supporting international law, the quality of life, and world peace. "The United Nations regards the principles of corporate social responsibility as so important that it named CSR a UN millennium goal," said Ambassador Witoetlar. She further stated that business travel is the prime vehicle for transporting this concept to all parts of the world.

ACTE and BATM will retain their individual identity, while sharing resources to stage educational and networking forums throughout the year. ACTE and BATM will also collaborate to develop a training Academy that enhance members’ knowledge and understanding of the key issues affecting their industry. Dr. Olivier Lo, Area Medical Director, International SOS, detailed the potential for the next pandemic, and the steps that have to be taken to prevent it. His message was disease is more than just a threat to the economic foundation of our profession, but a crisis in the making for every industrialized nation in a global economy. The speaker emphasized that the travel industry can be the vehicle for understanding, prevention of, and preparation for this threat.

In order to leverage both associations’ potential, ACTE and BATM are offering a joint membership, which includes a number of benefits, such as access to BATM’s four annual forums and informal network gathering, and substantial savings on all ACTE educational events. A joint membership costs €400. The discounted joint membership price represents a €190 saving off the cost of joining both associations separately.

“The partnership with ACTE will allow BATM to capitalize on synergies to provide both organizations’ members with better educational opportunities, improved networking and lobbying,” says BATM President Nora Buysschaert. "The success of the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference reflects our commitment to providing a global educational package on a regional scale," said Executive Director Susan Gurley. "The growth of our membership community in the Asia-Pacific Region reflects the successful application of the information we impart." In addition to the ACTE Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, ACTE also conducts two Global Conferences annually and numerous Executive Forums that are scheduled on a monthly basis around the world throughout the year. More than 5,600 travel management professionals attended ACTE events in the last 12 months. For more information on ACTE events view our online calendar of events at www.acte.org

Both associations believe this will spur many other similar partnerships all to the benefit of the industry.

The next ACTE/BATM Forums will be held on September 15 and November 24, 2005.
ACTE hopes to see BATM members at its Global Education Conference on October 23-25, 2005 in London.

About ACTE
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is a not for profit association established by business travel managers in 1988 to provide meaningful education and networking opportunities. ACTE recognizes the interdependence between corporate travel purchasers and corporate travel suppliers and accords both sectors equal membership. ACTE's membership spans all sectors of business travel, from corporate buyers to agencies to suppliers. ACTE currently serves more than 2,500 executives in over 30 countries.

About BATM
The Belgian Association of Corporate Travel Management (BATM) is a non-profit making organization representing the interests of the Corporate Travel Management within the Belgian travel industry, promoting industry best practice, education and providing forums for networking and knowledge sharing. BATM serves more than 80 members in Belgium.


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For more information, please contact:

Stanislas Berteloot
Regional Director EMEA
Association of Corporate Travel Executives
Tel. + 33 1 60 19 39 07
E-mail: [email protected]

Nora Buysschaert
President
BATM
Tel +32 (2) 395 32 39
E-mail: [email protected]

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