Press Release
For Immediate Release
7 November 2007
Dubai Delegates offered Curriculum and Solutions at the Business Travel Show
Alexandria, VA -- The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), as educational partner, offered a diverse curriculum alongside The Business Travel Show (BTS) exhibition at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 29 and 30 October 2007. The Show saw over 2000 delegates in attendance and the educational programme offered an examination and provided solutions to over 450 attendees from across the Middle East on issues of relevance to the local and global business travel industry. ACTE was chosen as the education partner for the event due to its reputation for providing unbiased, balanced and quality educational programming to the global business travel industry.
‘I gained some valuable insights and information on trends in the travel industry, both in the Middle East and globally, by attending educational sessions at Business Travel Show. The breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for relating information by the various seminar presenters was refreshing.’ Said Bridget Surgeon, Cost Control Manager for Abraaj Capital. Among the most highly attended seminars offered were, Why you should introduce a travel policy in your Company and How to get the best airfare deals..
The education component of the conference began Monday with an examination of the benefits and difficulties of introducing a travel policy. Ian Flint, Head of Global Consultancy, HRG Consulting, demonstrated how recognizing policy, agency and card as key elements of the travel programme together with the three necessary elements of an effective policy – commitment to preferred vendors, increased control over traveller expenditure, and data analysis – can result in a best in class travel policy generating 12-15 percent incremental savings over three years. Moderator Claire Guppy, Corporate Sales Manager for the Middle East with British Airways, Ian Flint and presenter Mark Fadel, Sourcing Manager, Indirect Services, Nokia, additionally offered a breakdown of supplier costs and consolidation, achieving the maximum service for company road warriors, the proper method for sourcing travel information, and how to minimise costs when maximising value.
Tuesday offered attendees a Corporate Case Study by Sally Rademaker, Sourcing Manager: Sub Saharan Africa for Ericsson on How to get the best airfare deals. This session focused on the importance of building a strong travel policy and forging relationships with preferred airline partners in order to get the best deals possible. The Session also looked at Key Performance Indicators and gave delegates an overview of what indicators need to be included to gain the most value.
Further curriculum topics included How to ensure the security and safety of your travellers’, The Use of Internet for travel booking & information, The way you pay your travel agent is changing, Travel agency versus Internet bookings, Knowledge is power - utilising your company’s travel data, Can private jets save you time and money?, Maximise the effectiveness of your meetings programme, How to keep your business travellers happy, and How to maximise your hotel programme.
BTS Dubai attendees, through the ACTE educational programme, were additionally offered keynote presentations free of charge. Ali Al Rais, General Manager: Commercial for Qatar Airways, began the programme with keynote presentation examining current trends in the airline sector in the Middle East region and what to expect in the future. Keynotes Rob O’Hanlon, partner with Deloitte & Touche, and Lawrence Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, Silverjet, provided delegates with an overview of future trends in the hotel and business travel sector across the Middle East.
For additional information the Business Travel Show, Dubai, and the Curriculum presented, visit www.businesstravelshow.ae/.
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