More than 300 attendees from 18 countries in the business travel community came together this week in Singapore for the 8th annual Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Asia-Pacific Education Conference. The two-day event, held on 12 and 13 August, included comprehensive educational programming, influential keynotes from leading business leaders, and extensive networking opportunities. The theme, Getting Back on Top, focused on topics ranging from cost savings and data management to communication and technology.

"This is our first major event since the economy began to slowly settle after a very turbulent nine months,” said ACTE Centre of Research and Education Chair and conference attendee Greeley Koch. “The takeaway that I think is most important is the way the Asia-Pacific community has handled and viewed the economic crisis: as an opportunity to positively change the way we do business. The conference provided a great opportunity for frank and open discussion about these changes, and the lessons we can take from them to create better managed travel programs, policies, and practices.

Senior-level education at the event focused on strategies most relevant to the corporate travel manager responsible for a regional or global-managed travel program. Senior-level education sessions at the event touched on topics including strategic meetings management, pricing models, outsourcing, traveler safety and security, data management, contract negotiations, emerging technology, and career management that are most relevant to the corporate travel manager with regional and/or global responsibilities.

General sessions saw presentations by some of the region’s leading business minds, including Steven R. Okun, Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore; Anthony A. Rose, Associate Director, ASEAN External Relations Executive Communications Leader, Asia Headquarters, Procter & Gamble Asia; and Dr. Ric Roi, Senior Vice President and Consulting Practice Leader for Asia-Pacific. Topics addressed in keynote presentations and industry perspectives included change management, risk, and communication.

ACTE awarded Koby Brice, Director of the Global Hotel, Car & Relocation Programme for Oracle, with the association’s Advancing the Industry Award. Given for a commitment to innovation, progress, and vision. Ms. Brice received her award for initiatives studying the relationship between managed corporate travel and its impact on executive productivity, a key indicator of the ROI for travel programmes.

“This event provided attendees with immediate takeaways to bring back to their companies, and the contacts that will support them for years to come," said Asia-Pacific Regional Director Kenneth Phua. His remarks were echoed by many other conference attendees including Mike Molloy from Credit Suisse, “I have been attending these conferences since their inception and I hear over and over from fellow corporate buyers that the Singapore conference is unsurpassed in making connections with key industry people in the region.

About ACTE

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), founded in 1988, is a leading non-profit organization that serves and advances the global business travel industry in 102 different countries. For more than 20 years, ACTE has continued to fulfill its vision of uniting travel executives around the world, providing them with up-to-date news, knowledge, beneficial research findings and networking opportunities. The education of ACTE members infiltrates to more than 12 million business travelers worldwide. From corporate buyers to agencies and suppliers, all sectors of the industry are granted equal membership. ACTE has representatives in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Mexico, Middle East and the United States. To join ACTE, or for more information, visit www.acte.org. Visit ACTE on Facebook and Twitter @ACTETWEETS.

Jack Riepe
ACTE Global Communications Director
610-719-8396
ACTE

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