Press Release

For Immediate Release
28 July 2008

TransACTE - Transforming the Business Travel Marketplace

Alexandria, Va. -- Eight years after introducing the landmark “Solutions Showcase” concept, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is once again changing the way business travel suppliers and buyers conduct business at major travel trade events by introducing TransACTE – Transforming the Business Travel Marketplace. This new design is in response to requests by ACTE sponsors, suppliers, corporate buyers, and stakeholders for ACTE to provide a fresh alternative to the high cost and current model of traditional trade shows.

“This new model called TransACTE is about simplicity, cost effectiveness, and providing a level playing field for all suppliers of business travel products and services,” said ACTE’s President Richard Crum. “There is nothing more frustrating to the business travel industry suppliers than having to pay for the excessive costs associated with trade shows. In addition, TransACTE is a breath of fresh air for corporate buyers, making it easier for them to find and meet with more of their suppliers in an intimate, non-sales type atmosphere.”

TransACTE offers a turnkey alternative to traditional trade shows. For one low, all inclusive price suppliers may choose from two booth configurations, depending upon which model best suits their business needs. The first option is a Demonstration style set-up, designed for product demonstrations and includes a kiosk and Internet connection. The second option – a Meet & Greet set-up is more of a lounge style set up (with Internet), conducive to organizations that don’t necessarily have a product demonstration, but want a place to meet customers and prospective clients. Each booth option will display identical signage – with the corporate name and logo – on a header. Each option will also be available at the same low all-inclusive rate. Participants are also welcome and encouraged to have a combination of both options in a double booth.

TransACTE will be open to all suppliers, not only those offering a technology solution, thereby broadening the range of “solutions” made available to ACTE education conference participants. TransACTE will remain small and intimate and will not grow to more than approximately 100 booths over the next few years.

Suppliers save money and are more environmentally friendly by not having to:

1. Pay to design, build, and store a booth or compete with others in scale or complexity, and
2. Ship, set-up and teardown a booth, a backdrop or tabletop display.

All exhibitors have to do is show up and TransACTE will take care of the rest.

In addition to providing a more economic solution, TransACTE has a much smaller carbon footprint in comparison to that of a traditional trade show. This is in keeping with ACTE’s commitment to bringing environmentally friendly solutions to the industry. ACTE was the first industry association to hold a carbon low conference and ACTE continues to select hotels and conference centers based on their green programs. Since 2004, ACTE has also made Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) an integral part of its global education program.

The TransACTE concept is being introduced at ACTE’s Global Education Conference in Rome, 5-7 October, as part of the association’s 20th Anniversary celebration, and will be rolled out at future ACTE Global and Regional education conferences in Africa, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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 Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.

Innovators to the Business Travel Management Profession
“The Most Widely Adopted Standards in the Industry”
Education • CSR • Traveller Safety/Data Privacy • Advocacy

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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