Press Release
For Immediate Release
2 October 2006
ACTE To Hold First Ever Nationwide Education Conference in Canada!
Toronto, Canada -- "Power, Partnerships, and Possibilities" constitute the theme of the first nationwide business travel educational conference to be held under the aegis of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives in Canada. Slated for 19-21 November in Montreal, the conference agenda opens with five general sessions and five breakout sessions covering everything from distribution to data management, and from self-booking tools to best practices in hotel sourcing. Furthermore, the Solutions Showcase will give participants hands-on experience with some of the hottest software and coolest hardware available to the industry.
"ACTE is proud to announce the first major business travel conference -- wholly devoted to issues of high importance within the Canadian business travel community," said Rick Robert, the association's Board of Directors representative from Canada. "Canadian travel management professionals routinely face challenges from circumstances unique to the region. Now these subjects will be addressed in an industrywide, nationwide Canadian education conference."
The five general sessions include:
1) Road Warriors -- A panel of veteran business travelers will give their views on accessibility, return on investment, support services, planning, and the impact of business on their personal lives.
2) What Has Your Travel Data Done For You Lately -- This session will discuss the considerations, components and challenges to consolidating corporate travel data, and examine how a leading Canadian firm developed its own solution that provided a customized tool through the collaboration of the travel area, finance and IT, complete with an overview of tools available in the Canadian marketplace.
3) Perspectives from the Top: Distribution Eye Opener -- A discussion on the unique needs of the Canadian market relating to distribution and purchasing of business travel, this blue ribbon panel discussion will provide insight into the solutions to channel fragmentation.
4) Traveler Safety and Security Enhancements -- This session will provide insight into traveler security, Canada/US border issues such as the possible U.S. implementation of passport requirements between Canada and US.
5) Cost Drivers in the Canadian Hotel Market -- This session will identify opportunities for cost savings in the corporate hotel spend while targeting elements that add to the cost. Presenters will focus on compliance, hotel economics, distribution channels and initiatives like eFolio, before addressing escalating taxes and surcharges.
The five breakout sessions are:
- "Getting Your Ducks In A Row" -- The planning and implementation of a self-booking tool
- "Time To Put The Pedal To The Metal" -- Changing your company's perspective on self-booking tools
- "Best Practices In Hotel Sourcing" -- The secrets of what works, and what doesn't, in getting the most from your hotel spend.
- "Preserving Partnerships through Preparation" -- The best was to approach contractual obligations and changes without dissolving relationships.
Fonds d'Indemnisation du Québec (Quebec Compensation Fund)*
* Presented in French
- "The ACTE Canada Education Conference is more than just an opportunity to meet with the best minds in the business regarding travel management in this country," said Onita Dey Frankian, ACTE Canada's Chair. "It's the chance to show your solidarity with your colleagues and to speak your mind to the industry -- in a forum where every issue affects you."
The ACTE Canada Education Conference will convene 19-21 November, in Montreal, Quebec, at the: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, 900 Rene-Levesque West, Montreal, Quebec H3B 4A5,
For a detailed program agenda, and to register, go to:
www.acte.org.
For more information, contact:
Monica Hailstone
Regional Director, Canada
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
Tel: 613-838-3879
[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