The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) and Business Travel News (BTN) have introduced a major innovation to the typical travel industry trade show: A “super conference,” combining the universal scope of an ACTE Global Education Conference and the power of reach of Business Travel World. Scheduled for 18-20 May 2008 in Washington, D.C., this historic event marks ACTE’s 20th Anniversary.
“ACTE has a reputation of being the leader in global travel education, research and advocacy,” Susan Gurley, Global Executive Director, ACTE, said. “We are extremely excited to be working with Business Travel News for this year’s Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C. They, like ACTE, are at the forefront of the corporate travel industry and, together, we hope to offer both buyers and suppliers an event unlike anything they have ever experienced.”
“Business Travel News is thrilled to be a dynamic part of ACTE’s 20th Anniversary,” John DeJesu, publisher, BTN, said. The united resources of BTN’s “Corporate Travel World” and ACTE’s Global Education Conference will provide senior-level travel executives with an unprecedented educational and networking forum.”
The conference boasts a line up of internationally renowned experts who will deliver keynote presentations and moderate panel discussions. Presenters and moderators will include David E. Sanger, senior writer, The New York Times; Dr. Kjell Nordstrom, author, assistant professor, Institute of International Business, Stockholm School of Economics; Ambassador John Bruton, head of delegation, European Union; Marion C. Blakey, president and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); and Dr. Stephen J. Kobrin, professor of multinational management, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
David E. Sanger covers the White House for The New York Times. In a 24-year career at the paper, he has written on a wide variety of issues, specifically foreign policy, globalisation, and the Bush presidency. He has twice been a member of Pulitzer Prize-winning teams at the paper and in 2004 for his coverage of the Iraq and Korea crises Sanger was awarded the Weintal Prize for diplomatic reporting. His presentation will offer attendees the opportunity to gain an insider’s perspective on the Bush White House and its foreign policy.
Dr. Kjell Nordstrom is Europe’s leading management scholar and thinker. As the co-author of two international bestsellers, Karaoke Capitalism: Management for Mankind and Funky Business and Talent Makes Capital Dance, Nordstrom will offer a compelling analysis of 2008’s most important and emergent trends in corporate strategy and multinational business.
John Bruton is the European Union Commission Head of Delegation in the US. A former Irish Prime Minister, he helped transform the Irish economy into what was dubbed the “Celtic Tiger,” one of the world’s fastest growing economies of its time. He was deeply involved in the Northern Irish Peace Process leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Ambassador Bruton will discuss the E.U. Summit, governmental changes within the EU, and the proposal of a revised European constitution.
Marion C. Blakey, president and CEO of the AIA, is a pioneer in the air travel industry. She is a past administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, where she oversaw the safest period of air travel in US history, and has served as the chairwoman of the National Transportation Board. Blakey will touch on the pressing issues currently surrounding air transportation including the global economy’s dependence upon it, projected growth areas, the challenged global infrastructure and air control systems, and concerns over safety and security.
Dr. Stephen J. Kobrin, professor of multinational management, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is an internationally recognised authority on data privacy. He will moderate a high-profile panel session addressing how the EU deals with data protection and security issues in relationship to the US and how this difference affects passengers and consumers, as well as the future risks within the data protection field.
“One of the most important and unique factors of ACTE is the breadth of our educational offerings. Besides our two global conferences and four regional conferences, our organisation puts on over 60 events in any given year,” Gurley said. “In addition to the quantity, though, we must also look to the quality of these events. Most, if not all, of ACTE’s presenters are nationally, if not internationally, known for their views, understandings, and insights regarding the corporate travel industry. These presenters are what make ACTE so special, and these presenters are what will make this conference an event worthy of our 20th Anniversary.”
“Before the 18th of May, there will have been two competing organizations, attempting the same goal of elevating the business travel community to new heights,” David Meyer, Editor-in-Chief, Business Travel News, said. “After the 20th of May, however, ACTE and BTN will have proved that cooperation and coordination offers those most important to our organisations – ACTE’s members and BTN’s subscribers – better opportunities and, with those opportunities, a better industry.”
