The first Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) education event of 2009 in Asia-Pacific will address the business travel industry’s two most current and pressing issues – the effect of the global economic slowdown on travel policies and the need to ensure traveller security. The Executive Forum, Maximum Control Required: Travel Costs and Traveller Security, will take place on 20 March at the Singapore Marriott Hotel.

“The global economic crunch has forced many companies to review corporate travel policies to maximize cost-savings,” Kenneth Phua, ACTE Asia-Pacific Regional Director, said. “This forum offers timely insights on the measures companies are taking to meet this goal, as well as the critical need for travel managers to keep their travellers safe.”

In the breakout session, The Big Squeeze: What Changes Are Companies Making to Travel Policies in Response to the Economic Crunch?, attendees will learn what companies’ travel policies are saying about travel now, and how suppliers are adapting to their customers’ cost-cutting initiatives. This session will offer insights on the attitudes, pressures, concerns and expectations for the next six months.

The programme will also include a luncheon discussion of the security lessons learned from the recent emergency situations in Mumbai and Bangkok. Tony Ridley, Director of Security Services Asia-Pacific for International SOS, will discuss the ways in which corporations should work with their security departments when sourcing travel services that meet prescribed security standards.

“These situations emphasise the critical need for regular reviews of safety standards and practices by all entities in the business travel industry,” noted Meredith Smith, ACTE Board member and Travel Manager APJ at Merck. "Traveller safety has to be an important gauge on every travel manager's dashboard."

In addition, virtual travel solutions will be the topic of a panel discussion at the ACTE Singapore Executive Forum. Participants will learn more about new technologies, such as videoconferencing, and how they can complement their air travel program and use it to contain costs.

To register for the Singapore Executive Forum please click HERE.

Now in its 8th year, the 2009 ACTE Asia-Pacific Education Conference, 12-13 August in Singapore, is the primary sources for education and networking in the region.

For more information and to register for the conference, please click HERE.

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 .

Kathleen Brannigan
703.683.5322 x 203
ACTE