Press Release
For Immediate Release
24 October 2005
ACTE President Calls For "Preparation Not Panic" In Industry Response To Avian Influenza Pandemic
London, England -- London (24 October 2005) -- "Preparation not panic" and "Education not speculation" advised Association of Corporate Travel Executives' (ACTE) President Greeley Koch regarding the threat of an avian influence pandemic. Speaking to over 975 travel management executives and corporate leaders gathered in London this week for the association's global education conference, Koch urged the business travel industry to work with government authorities, national and international health organizations, and corporations in planning and preparing to minimize the impact of an avian influenza pandemic.In attendance were over 950 delegates, representing a cross-section of travel managers, buyers and suppliers. Of those, 63 percent came from the EMEA region; 35 percent from the Americas; and three percent from Asia Pacific.
"There's a lot of speculation right now as to the potential economic impact and long-term health effects of an avian influenza pandemic," said Koch during a CNN interview Monday morning in London. "There are more questions than answers. ACTE can best protect the business travel industry by educating our members, raising public awareness, and working with government agencies and international health organisations."In his first public speaking engagement since taking over as CEO of British Airways earlier this month, Willie Walsh set a strong tone for the conference, encouraging an animated discussion about issues that affect members from around the world.
As a special guest speaker at the conference, Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, a special consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lauded ACTE and it’s Airborne Contagion Containment Task Force efforts to stave off a panic and help the business travel industry protect its travelers and minimize the impact of contagion.
ACTE's Airborne Contagion Task Force has asked other regional and international health organizations to participate in future discussions, planned for November and December. Dr. Julie Gerberding M.D., M.P.H., Director of the CDC, will present the leading keynote address at the Association of Corporate Travel Executives Global Education Conference in Atlanta, May 7 - 9, 2005.
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