Press Release
For Immediate Release
7 January 2008
Ambassador John Bruton named as keynote for ACTE Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C.
Alexandria, Va --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) announced today that Ambassador John Bruton, European Union Commission Head of Delegation in the United States, will be a keynote speaker at the association’s Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C., May 18-20, 2008. Bruton will discuss the EU Summit, the governmental changes going on within the EU, and the proposal of a revised European constitution.
“We are honored to have someone of Ambassador Bruton’s caliber and credentials as a keynote at ACTE’s Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C. this May,” Susan Gurley, ACTE Global Executive Director, said. “This is an important conference for us as it marks our 20th anniversary, and we couldn’t think of a more appropriate keynote than Ambassador Bruton who exemplifies the international spirit and global perspective that has been fundamental to ACTE since its inception.”
Bruton is a former Irish Prime Minister, who helped transform the Irish economy into the “Celtic Tiger,” one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Before being appointed Ambassador to the United States, Bruton served as a leading member of the Convention that resulted in the first-ever draft European Constitution. He was also Vice President of the European People's Party (EPP) from 1999 to 2005.
While Prime Minister, Bruton presided over a successful Irish EU Presidency in 1996, and helped finalize the Stability and Growth Pact, which governs the management of the single European currency, the Euro. He addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress on September 11, 1996, only the 30th head of state or government of an EU country to do so since 1945. Bruton was also deeply involved in the Northern Irish Peace Process, leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Since taking up his position as EU Commission Head of Delegation in Washington, D.C. in 2004, Bruton has met with President Bush and former presidents of the United States, and visited with governors, mayors, business leaders and students in more than 20 U.S. states. He has also met with some 200 Members of Congress to explain major EU developments, and to discuss the importance of the EU-U.S. relationship in matters of trade, counterterrorism, public health, energy, the environment and the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights around the world.
Bruton graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Arts degree before studying to become a barrister. He holds Honorary Degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the National University of Ireland.
For information on the ACTE Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C., please use the following li
ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from more than 50 countries representing the €200 billion business travel industry. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has offices in Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org
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