Press Release
For Immediate Release
28 November 2006
Travel Managers From Across Canada Reach Consensus On Key Issues at First-Ever ACTE Canada Conference in Montreal
Ottawa, ON -- More than 250 business travel management professionals from across the country converged on Montreal last week, to participate in the Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) first major Canadian conference. For many, the major draw was the opportunity to participate in an industry wide dialogue on security (including key border issues), the cost-impact of changes to the global distribution system, and measuring the effects of travel on veteran “Road Warriors.”
“This conference emphasized the importance of Canada’s position in the global travel market, and fostered a unique dialogue between elements of government, industry, and commerce,” said ACTE Board Member Rick Robert. “It provided a uniquely Canadian perspective on travel issues and lent a stronger identity to the Canadian travel manager.”
Traveller safety and security enhancements were examined in a session hosted by Greg Goatbe, Vice President of the Canada Border Services Agency, and Richard Marinos, Operations Manager of Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). Their collective presentations summarized the current status of discussion between Canada and the United States on the current mission of protecting the public while remaining sensitive to the customer service needs of the business traveller. It appears that 90 percent of Canadians crossing the border will be able to comply with passport requirements, while only 53 percent of U.S. citizens will be ready for new regulations requiring passport identification.
Goatbe further noted the increased need for governments to work in unison with stakeholders, such as ACTE and associated individuals, in an effort to implement new initiatives as well as forums for discussion of concerns and the resultant impact on the traveller.
Conference participants were presented with analysis of distribution issues in “Perspectives from the Top: Distribution Eye Opener.” This panel discussion, led by Michael Bingham of the Bottomline Group, was presented by James Davidson, President of Farelogix; Marc Rosenberg, Vice President of Sales and Product Distribution at Air Canada; and David Schwarte, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Sabre Holdings and outlined service, controls, compliance, and security on the changing distribution landscape. While travel managers pressed for full content and lamented fragmentation, at least one expert contended that full content was a “negotiated economic issue,” and that there were benefits in the resultant fragmentation.
The session was so well received, that ACTE leadership decided to extend the question and answer period through electronic means – [email protected] -- in which participants are encouraged to direct questions to the panel for further information.
The “Road Warrior Session” was nothing less than the head-on collision of traveller expectations and the service delivery of managed travel programs. Several cases studies -- ranging from programs that were highly managed to those that were less stringently monitored -- were compared and discussed. The primary conclusion of this session was that a think-tank-type evaluation developed by travellers and travel managers, could best reconcile cost-containment with trip efficiency and return on investment.
The ACTE Canada Education Conference was held on 19 November through 21 November, at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, in Montreal. Registration for the sold-out event went to “wait list” nearly two weeks before the conference convened.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com