Press Release
For Immediate Release
17 November 2008
ACTE Canada Scholarship Program Attracts Best New minds to the Travel Management Profession
Alexandria, Va --
Toronto (17 Nov. 2008) – The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) – in conjunction with the Canadian Hospitality Foundation (CHF) – presented two college students with $2,500 scholarships each as part of the ceremonies at the ACTE Canada Education Conference, in Toronto, today. More than 350 registered business travel management executives cheered Livia Gotardi and Karen Li for their current high levels of educational standing and for their extra curricula achievements in the business travel industry.
“These students embody the spirit and enthusiasm of the global business travel profession,” said Annemarie Reininger, ACTE Board Member and former Canada Regional Chair. “Their educational excellence is exceeded only by their commitment to a career in a profession that combines science, technology, economics, and global politics with the tenets of business. I can assure you that Livia Gotardi and Karen Li are the future we envision for our profession.”
Reininger added that this is the first scholarship of this nature awarded by ACTE Canada and that the presentation made during the Toronto event – in the association’s 20th Anniversary year – was especially significant. Two scholarships were offered, one to a student in the Eastern Region of Canada and to another in the Western Region.
Representing the Eastern Region, Livia Gotardi is in her third year of a four-year program, majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management, at Ryerson University, in Toronto. When not in class, she is employed as a server at Traders, in the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
“My long-term goals involve working for event management companies or meeting planning and conventions,” said Gotardi.
“Livia is one of those gems that are rare to find,” commented Brad Gilbart, Traders Manager, Westin Bayshore Vancouver. “She has shown a great interest in all aspects of our business and even with being a full-time employee, she juggles her full-time student career very well.”
Karen Li, from the Western Region, is in the top of her class, majoring in the Hospitality Management Diploma Program at Vancouver Community College. She is currently putting classroom theory into practice working as a Service Express Command Service Agent and Concierge at The Westin Bayshore Vancouver.
“My goal is to become a Catering Manager or Front Office Manager in the next five years. I am also inspired to become a Director of Operations or Assistant General Manager in the 10 years where I can apply my knowledge from my hospitality studies,” said Li. “I offer my sincerest thanks to ACTE for its generous support of this scholarship.”
Of Li, Michael Ryan, Service Express Manager, The Westin Bayshore Vancouver, said, “Over the past two years, Karen has been one our most valuable associates due to her strong work ethic and passion for the hospitality industry.”
The ACTE Canada scholarship program fulfills two ob
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 representation 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.
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For more information, contact:
Monica Hailstone
Regional Director, Canada
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: 613-836-7652
e: [email protected]
Jack Riepe
Communications Director, North America
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: 610-719-8396
c: 610-256-0124
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