NBTA and ABGEV Hold Largest-Ever Corporate Travel Conference in Latin America

NBTA President and CEO Suzanne Fletcher commented, “The corporate travel industry’s response to the Latin American Corporate Travel and Technology Exchange is a true testament to the expanding role this region plays in the global economy. NBTA is pleased to partner with ABGEV to present this conference, the first event focused on corporate travel in Latin America to draw such a large group.”

From February 6 through today, attendees of the conference have taken part in ten education sessions, conducted by more than 45 travel experts from the United States, Brazil and Latin America, and focused on three topic areas – finance and procurement, technology and corporate travel trends. Each of these sessions was aimed at providing attendees with a better understanding of how corporate travel programs operate in Latin America and educating participants on best business practices in the region.

Tim Bone, United States-based Corporate Travel Manager for Legg Mason, remarked, “As my company’s operations continue to expand in Latin America, it has become increasingly important for me to be knowledgeable about travel practices in the region. By attending the education sessions available through LACTTE, I feel that I am better equipped to address the travel needs of my company.”

LACTTE also featured a technology showcase that has enabled travel service providers to introduce their products to attendees. Exhibitors participating in this year’s event included Hi-Mark, Outtask, Panrotas, Priority Pass, Reserve, Sabre, VISA and Worldspan. Additionally, multiple networking opportunities have been available for attendees to build relationships with their peers.

“In addition to the education offerings of this event, the networking and technology showcase provided excellent opportunities,” added Paulo Perez, Corporate Travel Manager of Telemar, a Brazil-based company. “I made key contacts within the corporate travel industry and learned more about solutions that will assist me in enhancing my company’s current processes as the Latin American economy continues to expand.”

Vivianne Martins, president of ABGEV, concluded, “This is the type of conference we have long hoped to have in Latin America. I am proud ABGEV could be so instrumental in making it come to life, and I look forward to an even better event next year.”

The 2007 Latin American Corporate Travel and Technology Exchange will take place March 5-7 in Sao Paulo.

About ABGEV
ABGEV is the business travel association representing buyers and suppliers from the business travel community in South America. Before its official launch in 2003, it existed for more than 10 years as an informal group of travel managers providing business travel benchmarking. ABGEV’s goals include growth and improvement of the business travel industry in Brazil and development of strong relationships between all players in the corporate travel market. ABGEV has about 150 members managing more than $200 million USD in annual travel expenditures, and representing about 20% of the Brazilian business travel market. For more information, visit .

About NBTA
The National Business Travel Association is the source for critical information on the business travel industry. For more than 35 years, NBTA has dedicated itself to the professional development of its members through advocacy, education and training, and networking opportunities. NBTA represents over 2,700 corporate and government travel managers and travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than $170 billion of expenditures within the business travel industry. For more on NBTA, visit .