Press Release
For Immediate Release
8 December 2008
FIRST ACTE AFRICA EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN JOHANNESBURG DRAWS 57 PERCENT CORPORATES BY COMPANY
Alexandria, Va --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) first Africa Education Conference in Johannesburg last month, attracted a record number of participants with a program which emphasized new strategies in travel management and corporate growth in uncertain economic times. The event drew more than 155 registrants from 12 countries, with a high percentage of corporate buyers (34 percent), 57 percent by company.
The 12 countries represented at the conference included Afghanistan, Cameroon, Denmark, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States.
“I was delighted with the positive feedback received from delegates at the first ACTE Africa Education Conference,” Monique Swart, ACTE Regional Director, Middle East & Africa, said. “Never before have travel professionals from across the continent been given the opportunity to gather under one roof to discuss their industry. Delegates expressed excitement and enthusiasm at begin able to network with peers whilst receiving top-level education on pertinent issues facing the African travel industry,” she added.
Highlights included keynote addresses delivered by two of the continent’s leading motivational speakers: Quinton Coetzee, television personality and professional business to business speaker, and Professor Nick Binedell, Founding Director and Sasol Chair of Strategic Management of the Gordon Institute of Business Science.
A Buyers Only Chat session emphasized the importance of unity across the African continent, and the growing interest in demand management, green travel and duty of care.
A post-conference survey revealed that 67 percent of delegates said that the conference met their expectations either well or very well, with more than 96 percent stating that the event was worth the time and expense to attend.
“It was most beneficial to me to get insight into how other corporates are managing their current challenges, and the education sessions at the ACTE Africa Education Conference stimulated good debate around these issues,” said Belinda West, Central Procurement Manager, Woolworths (Pty) Ltd.
Noted Johan De Beer, Coordinator, Commercial Services – Development Bank SA, “The ACTE Africa Education Conference was a wonderful and somewhat different event. The education sessions which I found most useful were those that shared a wide variety of topics aiming to guide travelers in making informed decisions when travelling throughout Africa.”
ACTE has recognized the Middle East & Africa as a key region for growth in the business travel industry. In 2008, ACTE has held education events in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lagos and Dubai.
In 2009, ACTE will hold education events in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Dubai, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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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Contact:
Monique Swart
Regional Director, Middle East & Africa
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: +27-118888178
e: [email protected]
Kathleen Brannigan
Senior Director, Global Communications
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: +703-683-5322 x 207
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