Press Release
For Immediate Release
30 June 2008
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION HIGHLIGHT OF ACTE JOHANNESBURG EXECUTIVE FORUM
Alexandria, Va. -- Business travel professionals attending the recent Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) Executive Forum, “Measuring the Success of your Travel Policy,” in Johannesburg on 28 May were also able to participate in the region’s first ‘Speed Networking’ session. This session allowed more than 100 delegates to meet during 12 four-minute speed networking slots.
“We sometimes have delegates, especially first-timers, who are overwhelmed when attending events due to the fact that they don’t know anyone else and feel isolated,” said Monique Swart, Regional Director for ACTE Middle East & Africa. “This speed networking session really allowed delegates the opportunity to meet in an open and highly energized environment. Corporate buyers, especially, communicated how valuable it was to make acquaintance with other buyers who they could later contact to discuss various procurement issues.”
The event, which saw a 49 percent corporate buyer delegate percentage by company, also included presentations from Sally Rademaker, Manager: Sourcing for Ericsson SA; Alan Reid, Commodity Manager: Services for BP Southern Africa, and Advocate Louis Nel, Managing Director of Benchmark.
The presenters explained how to manage and implement realistic SLAs and KPIs that are geared for success, as well as the use of benchmarking in measuring the effectiveness of a travel policy.
“I really enjoyed this event – the networking and educational sessions were great. It was interesting to hear Sally’s perspective. It’s always good to have something to measure up against,” noted Mandy Diggle, Group Travel Manager, Group 5.
"I have never been surrounded by as many energetic people in one place in my life! I left the forum in awe of the energy surrounding the industry and the people," commented Estelle Janse van Rensburg, Procurement Manager, Avon Justine S.A (Pty.) Ltd., and first-time ACTE event attendee.
“Being operational in South Africa for more than nine years, and having hosted more than 40 Executive Forums in the region, ACTE continues to deliver quality education relevant to the needs of our South African delegates,” said Susan Gurley, ACTE Executive Director. “This region is growing in strength daily – something which was made evident by the fact that we had an excellent turnout of corporate buyers at this event, and that we also signed up six new ACTE members.”
ACTE will host its first Africa Education Conference, 10-11 November 2008 in Johannesburg. For additional information, please contact Monique Swart, Regional Director, ACTE Middle East & Africa at [email protected] or +27 11 888-8178.
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 82 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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