ACTE Press Release

Immediate Release!

ACTE Global 2000 Offers - A Conference for the New Generation of Business Travel Professionals

(AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, October 22, 2000) – Attendees to the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) will find a conference tailored to the needs of the new generation of business travel executives. ACTE vice president of Education Greeley Koch explained, "ACTE membership represents a new generation of business travel managers who are finding their responsibilities span a number of functions, of which travel management is only one. At the same time, ACTE membership also includes senior-level executives whose skill sets must be broadened to include business travel management." To that end, ACTE Global 2000 includes an introduction to travel management session specifically designed for those executives who have had their corporate responsibilities extended to include the travel program.

To fully deliver the type of conference program needed by the new generation of business travel professionals ACTE has implemented members' recommendations from a comprehensive survey conducted in May as well as survey feedback from previous ACTE conferences. Among the innovations is an interactive roundtable discussion for all attendees designed to foster candid dialogue among peers resulting in identification of best practices in the business travel industry.

Several networking events are scheduled for attendees, and one evening has been left completely open for members to socialize on their own. "This unscheduled evening was included as a result of our membership survey," said Koch, who added that survey responses also were the impetus for reduced registration fees at this year's event.

To address the increasing role of technology in the travel industry, ACTE Global 2000 is offering attendees hands-on demonstrations of an array of current and future technology products and services through the Technology Experience. "Despite their job titles, few travel managers are, in fact, frequent travelers," said Koch. "One goal we hope to achieve through the Technology Experience is to enable them to expand their knowledge by simulating the technologies road warriors encounter on a daily basis."

As with past events, education and networking opportunities are the dual attractions to this year's ACTE Global. More than 20 educational sessions focus on a variety of topics ranging from general business to specific aspects of travel management. Five keynote addresses, featuring leaders from government, industry, technology and service organizations, are scheduled throughout the three-day event:

"As we begin our tenth ACTE Global, it's important to note that we've returned to Amsterdam, the site of our first international conference," observed ACTE President Ron Wagner. "Not only has our attendance increased with each ACTE Global, but so has representation from the Middle East, Africa and Europe - which accounts for nearly 55 percent of this year's registrations. This illustrates that ACTE truly is unique in its global orientation." More than 900 travel industry professionals from 25 countries are gathered here for ACTE Global 2000, which continues through October 24.

Founded in 1988, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives is the only organization wholly dedicated to the science of business travel management with an international constituency. ACTE membership totals more than 2,400, including entities in Asia, Europe, Canada and the United States. The organization is headquartered in Alexandria, Va., and its web site is www.acte.org.

CONTACT:
Kate Farrell
Manager of Marketing & Membership
ACTE
515 King Street, Suite 330
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
1-732-283-2826
[email protected]
www.acte.org