ACTE Offers Macro and Micro Economic Session at DC Conference

3/18/2009 - The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is offering an interactive session at its upcoming Global Education Conference in Washington DC, April 5-7, ‘Ask the Analysts: The Economic Outlook of the Business Travel Industry’. The interview style panel discussion will give the macro and micro views of the global economy and how they impact the business travel industry. Topics for discussion will include the softening business travel demand, travel suppliers’ response, its impact on services and pricing, and how Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) spending may force possible revisions to corporate travel policies. The ‘Ask the Analysts’ session takes place on Tuesday, April 7, from 11:15a.m.-12:15p.m.

“ACTE is pleased to offer this critical education session, which could not be more topical or timely,” Doug Weeks, ACTE President, said. “We encourage attendees to bring their tough questions about the economy, and to be prepared to walk away with practical, recessionary advice to address critical issues and developments in the air, hotel and GDS industries.”

Panelists include Brian Hace, Vice President, Client Services, North America, Carlson Wagonlit Travel; John Heimlich, Vice President and Chief Economist, Air Transport Association of America (ATA), and Michael McNamara, Vice President, MasterCard Advisors. Wendy Aird, Vice President of Egencia, will act as moderator for the panel.

The collapse of the global economy has had a profound impact on the business travel industry. According to a comprehensive ACTE global survey of corporate travel managers taken earlier this year, 71 percent of respondents said they will spend less on travel in 2009, 21 percent claimed they will spend the same, and only 8 percent said they will spend more.

In February, ACTE sent a recommendation to Senators Feinstein, Snowe, Lieberman, Boxer, Nelson, Kerry, and Specter regarding a major clarification to Senate Bill 133, which calls for restrictions regarding corporate expenditures of TARP funds. The association backs nearly all of the bill’s provisions, which prohibits the use of TARP funds for lobbying and political contributions, while calling for more transparency and accurate reporting in the use of these monies. However, ACTE questions a blanket restriction of their use for transportation, accommodations, or the use of corporate aircraft.

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 travelers 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, go to www.acte.org.



Contact:
kbrannigan@acte.org

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