Press Release
For Immediate Release
10 October 2007
ACTE Names Internationally-Renowned Economists as Keynote Speakers for Munich, Washington, D.C., and Rome
Alexandria, VA -- With financial experts wavering on the future of the US economy, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is seeking to replace speculation with facts, and has named world-renowned economists as keynote speakers for the next three global conferences -- Munich (21-23 October 2007) Washington, D.C. (18-20 May 2007), and Rome (5-7 October 2008). According to an announcement made today by the association’s Executive Director, Susan Gurley, each of the next three conference agendas will illustrate the parallel tracks of economic growth, stronger and more strategic investment in business travel, and corporate expansion.
“The strength of both the national and global economies are linked with corporate growth, and all three depend on business travel,” said Gurley. “One of our conference objectives for the next 18 months is to monitor the world’s economic state and to adjust travel programs -- and corporate thinking -- to meet changing circumstances. The first step in this process is to have benefit of the best insight in the industry. These keynote speakers represent a whole new generation of innovative thought in economic analysis.”
The contribution of the travel industry to the general economy cannot be overstated. In Europe, the transport sector accounted for €363 billion euros in value added and employed approximately 8.2 million people in 2004. The US Bureau of Transportation Statistics found the 2005 U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) attributed to for-hire transportation services was $344.6 billion. In 2002, the bureau determined transportation related goods and services accounted for more than ten percent of U.S. GDP, which represents over 1 trillion USD.
“With today’s industry trends often mirroring economic developments, ACTE feels an examination of our contributions to both domestic and international markets is essential to sustaining and assisting in future growth,” commented Gurley. “As such, ACTE is pleased to incorporate the presentations of Drs. Walter, Nordstrom and Behravesh as fundamental educational resources for our membership and event delegates.”
Dr. Norbert Walter, Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank Group, and head of Deutsche Bank Research, will be presenting at the ACTE Global Education Conference in Munich, 21-23 October 2007. Walter comes to ACTE as a member of the Committee of Wise Men on the Regulation of European Securities Markets ("Lamfalussy group"), a former professor and director at the Kiel Institute for World Economics, and was a John J. McCloy Distinguished Research Fellow at the American Institute for Contemporary Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. (1986 - 1987).
Dr. Kjell Nordstrom, Author, Assistant Professor, Institute of International Business, Stockholm School of Economics, will be keynoting at the ACTE Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C., 18-20 May 2008. Nordstrom is an internationally-recognized researcher and consultant in corporate strategy, innovation, leadership, and globalisation. He is currently ranked #1 among management thinkers of Europe, and comes to ACTE as the co-author of two international bestsellers, Karaoke Capitalism: Management for Mankind and Funky Business, and Talent Makes Capital Dance. Nordstrom’s books have been translated into over 30 languages, featured on CNN and CNBC, and discussed in numerous print publications including Fortune, Fast Company, Time Magazine, Financial Times, and Paris Match.
Dr. Nariman Behravesh, Chief Economist and Executive Vice President for Global Insight, will be presenting at the ACTE Global Education Conference in Rome, 5-7 October 2008. Behravesh is responsible for developing the economic outlook and risk analysis for the United States, Europe, Japan, China and other emerging markets. Behravesh and his team were designated #1 in USA Today’s 2004 ranking of top economic forecasters, #1 in Reuters' 2004 survey of major currency exchange rate forecasters, and # 3 in The Wall Street Journal annual ranking of U.S. forecasters. He is cited frequently in leading business publications including The New York Times, The Financial Times, Fortune, and Forbes. Additionally Behravesh hosts the PBS television series "Inside the Global Economy", is co-author of Economics U$A and Microcomputers and Corporate Planning and Decision Support Systems, and regularly appears on national radio and television programs including BBC World Business Report, Bloomberg TV’s World Financial Report, and CNBC’s Closing Bell.
For additional information on the ACTE Global Conference curriculum, please visit www.ACTE.org.
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