Press Release
For Immediate Release
2 September 2008
MORE THAN 200 DELEGATES ATTEND ACTE SOUTH AFRICA EDUCATION EVENTS IN AUGUST
Johannesburg, South Africa --
More than 200 delegates from across the South African business travel industry attended the last series of Executive Forum education events this year hosted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) in Johannesburg (21 August) and Cape Town (22 August).
The events, which saw a 48 percent corporate buyer delegate percentage by company in Johannesburg, and 52 percent in Cape Town, focused on pertinent cost-containment issues, challenging delegates to identify the non-conventional places that their travel spend might be falling through the cracks.
The first panel discussion focused on various challenges experienced by corporate buyers within the car rental industry, including inaccurate mileage versus refueling charges and complicated billing practices. The panel investigated complaints by ACTE buyer members in South Africa, reporting that they had experienced a 2 percent to 739 percent variance on mileage driven versus refueling charges. Various reasons for these discrepancies were discussed, including data inaccuracy and human error. One temporary solution given by the panel to buyers was simply to refuse the payment of bills that they do not believe are accurate, pending further investigation.
The second panel discussion focused on the challenge of unused e-tickets faced by corporate buyers and the concern that the TMC’s, GDS’s and airlines are not doing enough to accurately track and report on unused tickets in order to ensure that refunds are granted. Buyers were encouraged to investigate all the technology solutions available to them in order to resolve this issue the most effectively.
The panel discussions were followed by a presentation regarding cost-containment by way of credit card technology, delivered by Julian Curtiss, an independent procurement consultant with specialist knowledge in financial processes.
The day concluded with a roundtable discussion which had delegates brainstorming ideas for cost-containment, and then further investigating the effective implementation of these ideas, which stakeholders would need to be involved, and what types of obstacles may be experienced along the way. “The event was an excellent learning experience and it is interesting to see what other companies are doing,” said first-time delegates Mariela Fernandez from AGREGA and Indira Ghela from Philip Morris South Africa.
“ACTE has been hosting quality education events in South Africa for the past nine years and it is encouraging to see that our events are growing steadily from strength to strength,” said Sally Rademaker, ACTE Board Member and Manager, Sourcing Market Unit - Sub-Saharan Africa, Ericsson South Africa. “The continued increase of corporate buyers delegates is a testament to the educational value that ACTE brings to the regional marketplace, but with a global view.”
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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Contact:
Monique Swart
Regional Director, Middle East & Africa
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: +27-118888178
e: [email protected]
Kathy Brannigan
Senior Director, Global Communications
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: 703.683.5322 x203
e: [email protected]
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