Press Release

17 September 2008

Collaboration, Education, and Innovation Drive First Ever ACTE Africa Education Conference in Johannesburg

Alexandria, Va --

In response to the explosive growth of the business travel market in Africa, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is holding the continent’s first Africa Education Conference, in Johannesburg, 10-11 November 2008. The two-day event will feature 10 highly technical travel management education sessions, and a motivational general session aimed at unleashing participant potential.

“Business travel is a critical element in the African economy, and its management and future development is a top priority for corporations based here or doing business here,” said Sally Rademaker, ACTE Board Member and Manager, Sourcing Market Unit - Sub-Saharan Africa, Ericsson South Africa. “This event will identify current challenges facing the industry and also focus on upcoming trends, and will provide each participant with a networking base and answers that have an immediate takeaway value.”

The 10 education sessions will focus on:

• Traveller Safety and Security
• Fundamentals of Managed Travel and the Value of the TMC
• Global Trends and Their Impact on the African Market… Or not?
• Technological Advancements: Perception versus Reality
• The Impact of Airport Development on Business Travel in Africa
• If We Train Them, Will They Stay? Aiming Towards Improved Education in the Industry
• Cross Border Dynamics: Doing Business in Africa
• Strategic Payment Solutions
• Cost Control and Spend Management
• Hotel Programs: Supply & Demand in a Developing Market

While there is a common thread of cost-reduction running through the majority of these sessions, traveller safety and productivity are two other issues that emerge as a simultaneous priority. Presenters will acknowledge the international ramifications of each subject, but emphasize their significance in Africa.

Quinton Coetzee, Motivator and Television Personality, will make a dramatic presentation, based on the world of a San Bushman, to illustrate that everyone has dormant or underutilized business skills. These skills need only to be set free or “unlocked” in order to realize maximum gain, both personally and for the company.

For more information on the 2008 ACTE Africa Education Conference in Johannesburg, please go to http://www.acte.org/content/AEC08/Conference_Home.

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 €463 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 • Traveler Safety/Data Privacy • Advocacy

Contact:
Monique Swart
Regional Director, Middle East & Africa
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: +27-118888178
e: [email protected]