Press Release
For Immediate Release
9 December 2008
JAMES C. MAY TO DISCUSS AVIATION INDUSTRY CHALLENGES AT ACTE GLOBAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Alexandria, Va --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) announced today that James C. May, president and chief executive officer of the Air Transport Association (ATA), the airlines’ leading trade group, will be a keynote speaker for the association’s Global Education Conference, slated for 5-7 April 2009, in Washington, D.C. The association is assuming a leadership role in stimulating the business travel industry against the threat of a growing world recession by rallying the stakeholders and leaders for industry innovation, such as May, to its educational events in the upcoming year.
ATA is the trade association that supports its U.S. airline passenger and cargo members by promoting aviation safety, advocating industry positions, conducting industrywide programs and ensuring public understanding and awareness of the airline industry.
“With an international economy in flux and a new leader about to take the reins of one of the world’s largest consumer market, the timing and content of ACTE’s Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C. couldn’t be more significant,” said ACTE President Richard Crum. “We are now crafting an agenda and sourcing presenters who have the insights that will accelerate the business travel industry’s recovery.”
May is a logical choice for a keynote speaker as the disposition of the airlines will be a key factor in the direction the industry will take in 2009. Crum pointed out that one major springboard for the current economic crisis was the meteoritic rise in fuel costs, which have left the airlines with a $3-5 billion (USD) shortfall in 2008.
“The future of the business travel industry is closely tied to the fate of the airlines, through the cost of travel and the frequency of service,” said Crum. “This invariably addresses congestion, the air traffic control system, and government security program costs imposed on the carriers."
May said that the future well-being of the airline industry lies in the hands of the new administration and Congressional leaders. “We must have a no harm approach to aviation and not jeopardize any of the $1.1 trillion in economic activity or 10 million jobs driven by the U.S. airline industry,” said May, who is calling on the new administration and Congress to address a number of aviation priorities, including air traffic modernization, energy policy and the implementation of fair and practical environmental-protection measures.
Prior to his service with the ATA, May served as Executive Vice President of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). In that position, he oversaw the formulation and implementation of the public policy and government relations’ ob
Other keynote speakers at the event include Juan Enriquez, one of the world’s leading authorities on the dynamics of the economic and political impacts of the life sciences, and Polly LaBarre, author of the best-seller, Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win, and former editor of Fast Company magazine.
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:
Jack Riepe
Communications Director, North America
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: 610-719-8396
c: 610-952-0763
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