ACTE - Breaking News

ACTE PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

ITM & ACTE Set To Merge

London (1 February 2005). The business travel industry was buzzing today with the news that the board of the Institute of Travel Management (ITM) will be recommending to its members a merger with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE).

The announcement coincided with the opening of the Business Travel Show in London, which is expected to draw over 7,000 industry leaders from Britain, Asia, Europe, and North America over the next three days.

Citing "a near perfect alignment of vision and objectives," ITM Chairman Tom Stone said a merger between the two organisations was a logical progression for both, which share a commitment for professional excellence, maximum return on business travel investment, and greater industry influence in government affairs."

"ACTE's agenda runs parallel to ITM's long-term objectives," said Stone. "A merger of the associations in the UK will be a massive step towards ensuring our members have a single and much stronger voice in lobbying government, both at home and internationally, together with much greater influence in the development of the global business travel industry. By combining the resources of ITM and ACTE, we will be significantly better equipped to exceed the expectations of our members."

The ACTE structure provides a good fit for ITM. The association offers equal status for members regardless of whether they are buyers or suppliers, a position recently adopted by ITM. Both associations have regional structures too. In ITM's case, seven regions including Ireland, and in ACTE's four regions worldwide. ACTE's regions interact globally on major issues - linked by a worldwide educational network - while addressing regional developments through the efforts of industry experts and Executive Forums.

The prospective merger was welcomed by ACTE President Greeley Koch, who said, "Combining these two organisations would represent a quantum leap forward for the business travel management profession. Nearly all of the major issues facing travel management executives this year - safety, security, service, privacy, Open Skies, and IATA reform, just to mention a few - will be better addressed with a single worldwide voice and a unified membership."

Unanimous acceptance of a merger policy has already been adopted by the boards of directors for both ITM and ACTE. "We are looking forward to positive feedback from our membership in response to our recommendation for merger" said ITM's Stone.

The Institute of Travel Management is the leading professional body representing buyers, suppliers and managers of business travel in the UK and Ireland. ITM's members account for 25% (£6 billion) of the total corporate travel spend in the two countries. The association provides support, information & networking opportunities for members to share best practice. ITM promotes efficient and effective travel management through good planning, negotiating skills and a keen knowledge of current market trends and products available in the sectors of air, sea & land transportation, and hotel accommodation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jack Riepe
Global Communications Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives
T: + 1 610 719 8396
F: + 1 610 256 0124
[email protected]

Mark Harris
Head of Marketing & Communications
Institute of Travel Management
T: +44 (0) 1625 430472
F: +44 (0) 1625 439183
[email protected]

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