Contact: Tanya Andreadis ( [email protected]
)
ACTE
JOINS TRAVEL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
(Alexandria,
VA, USA - November 26, 2001) The Association of Corporate
Travel Executives (ACTE), an organization dedicated to the advancement
of the global business travel industry has joined Travel Business
Roundtable (TBR). TBR is an association focused on educating elected
officials on the economic importance of the travel and tourism
industry and actively assuring that policy makers recognize industry
needs and interests.
As a result
of the events of September 11, ACTE has become more engaged in
communicating the interests and needs of its membership to the
government. ACTE has sought a way in which to continue this important
effort while equally representing all segments of its membership.
After careful consideration, ACTE Officers determined that this
could be accomplished through a relationship with TBR, an organization
with proven governmental influence. TBR will add value to all
ACTE members including, the corporate travel, travel management,
airline, car, hotel and technology professionals. "Our affiliation
with TBR will provide ACTE with an immediate and effective way
to assure that the views of our membership are communicated to
the government and, conversely ACTE will be more closely tuned
in to legislation that impacts the business travel community",
stated ACTE President, Ron Wagner.
Since its
inception in 1995, TBR has increased governmental and public awareness
of the economic size and strength of the travel industry as well
as the industry's potential for future growth. TBR members, primarily
consisting of CEOs of leading companies in the travel, tourism
and hospitality industry, have met with prominent government officials,
including more than 100 representatives of the House and Senate
to discuss the specific impact travel has on the nation's economy.
"In light of the terrorist attacks and the subsequent impact on
the travel and tourism industry, companies are appreciating the
need to have a strong unified voice in Washington, D.C.," notes
Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of TBR and Chairman and CEO of Loews
Hotels. "TBR's stature and strength before September 11th has
proven to be extremely valuable, as we immediately began working
with Congressional leaders and Administration officials on ways
to help our vital industry and to get people moving again. To
that end, new members such as ACTE help to further demonstrate
the breadth of our industry and our importance to the nation's
economy."
Also important
is ACTE's shared value of industry cohesiveness with TBR. According
to Wagner, in lieu of the current industry vulnerability, a unified,
focused effort is more important than ever before. "ACTE is an
organization that will continue to be responsive to industry demands.
Just as ACTE members (after September 11) drove the quick assembly
of business travel executives in Summits, Forums, and Web-based
venues, ACTE members will unify with the people who are behind
the policies affecting business travel," he said.
To add to
ACTE's steadily expanding catalogue of information, members will
now have access to valuable resources such as the TBR economic
reporting mechanism, Index of Leading Economic Indicators,
as well as other quantitative research and in-depth industry surveys.
