Press Release
For Immediate Release
6 April 2009
ACTE HONORS TWO BUSINESS TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS FOR INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS DURING DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES
Alexandria, VA --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) bestowed its highest honors on two industry veterans, for performance and dedication to the enhancement of the travel management profession, and for providing solutions on how to thrive during difficult economic times. According to the association’s President Doug Weeks, the awards were presented on Sunday, April 5th before the general assembly of the group’s Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C.
Susan Lichtenstein, Director of Finance, for Cisco Systems, Inc., was named the recipient of ACTE’s “Advancing the Industry Award.” This honor is conferred upon travel management practitioners who advocate and promote innovation and progress throughout the profession. Lichtenstein received the award for her deployment of a social networking tool that enhanced the relationship between travelers and the travel department to a highly cooperative joint endeavor, “characterized by interest and support,” while pursuing new practices and procedures that generated quantifiable results.
Lichtenstein is a 20-year travel industry veteran and has been a member of ACTE for 12 years. She is presently on the D.C. Conference Steering Committee, and has served as a presenter, panelist, or moderator at numerous educational events hosted by the association. Recently named one of Business Travel News’ 25 Most Influential Executives, Lichtenstein believes the current economic crisis is an environment for change – and for opportunity.
“There is no other profession like the business travel management profession,” said Lichtenstein. “It is one of the few professions, where you can make a difference, where you can effect change, where you can introduce improvement in the business lives of thousands of travelers – every month – while increasing your value to your company.”
When asked what the “Advancing the Industry Award” meant to her, Lichtenstein replied, “It marks a major turning point in my career. One of my ob
The President’s Award – the highest award conferred by the association – was presented to Tony D’Astolfo, Vice President Worldwide Sales, Rearden Commerce, for outstanding service to ACTE and to the industry, through his participation on the ACTE Board of Directors, his expansive role in ACTE educational programs (as a moderator, presenter, and panelist), and as a prognosticator of key industry trends.
A 30-year veteran of the business travel industry, D’Astolfo started with United Airlines in 1979, and served with GetThere/Sabre before joining Rearden. He has served on multiple ACTE Global Conference Education Committees, several ACTE Executive Forum Committees, served on the Strategic Initiatives Committee, and chaired the Nominations Committee, during his 15-year tenure with the association. He was also named an ACTE “Fellow” for conducting one of the highest rated presentations at an ACTE conference.
“It is an honor to accept this award from the foremost business travel association in the industry,” said D’Astolfo. “To me, this says that I was able to contribute something of value to my colleagues... Something that they could use... Something that will benefit the industry.”
D’Astolfo stated that the current economic environment is a signal that some companies are going to have to change their business models. “We learn something different from every economic downturn. And one of the most important things we learn is to adapt and to adjust. To fight the inevitable is to lose,” he said.
D’Astolfo pointed out that travel is down now, which means there are fewer travelers on the road. “However, as we know, this also means they have more work to do. Your value lies in helping your travelers accomplish that work, and that may mean finding new ways to make that happen. That may mean creating new programs, new efficiencies, and new ways to push these out to the traveler.”
Following the award presentations, ACTE President Doug Weeks said, “Leading by example is one of the most effective methods of presentation. This association is fortunate to have leaders of this caliber – the right people, in the right place, at the right time – to get us through this crisis and into recovery faster and stronger than ever before.
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. Our members serve more than 12 million business travellers worldwide. 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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