Diversity of content and depth of information is being credited with drawing over 325 business travel managers, procurement specialists, and travel service suppliers to the…
Diversity of content and depth of information is being credited with drawing over 325 business travel managers, procurement specialists, and travel service suppliers to the Association of Corporate Travel Executives` Asia-Pacific Regional Education Conference in Singapore (23-24 August). ACTE`s Asia-Pacific Regional Education Conference continues to set new industry standard for education, innovation, and the exchange of ideas, said ACTE Executive Director Susan Gurley.
This year`s regional event drew record-breaking attendance, with new interest from the Europe, the Middle East, and the United States and continued presence from countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Countries represented for the first time at the conference included Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, UAE, and Bahrain, bringing the total number of countries represented to 23.
Companies looking to do business in the region are finding ACTE`s Asia-Pacific Regional Education Conference to be an essential step in working through the unique regional infrastructure, stated Megan Stowe, Global Sourcing Manager, Intel and ACTE Asia-Pacific Board Representative. While the Asia-Pacific conference remains a regional conference the increased interest from attendees outside the region may necessitate an adjustment in ACTE`s educational programming in the region.
The theme of the conference was a Balancing Act: Global vs. Local. In his opening address, association President Greeley Koch stated that balance was the most appropriate word for this conference, as it was critical to find a balance between global and local programmes, as opposed to concentrating on one over the other. The significance of this statement was borne out by the fact that both sessions dealing with local programmes drew the largest attendance. Examples of the subjects straddling both local and global issues at the conference included traveller security, contagion, and corporate social responsibility.
Koch stated, Our profession`s greatest challenge is going to lie in devising ways to enhance security — without making travel any more stressful than circumstances require. We understand based on ACTE surveys that many corporations have wonderful plans in place but that many of their employees are not aware of the details of the plans. Accordingly, ACTE is working with various safety preparedness organizations to provide our members with continuous information on how they as individuals and their organizations need to improve communication of their emergency plans.
The fear of contagion continues to haunt the industry. As with security, the key issue is being informed and having a plan. Through a serious of live media interviews panelist discussed the issue of contagious diseases with industry experts. Panelist Paul Chin, Regional Head, Asia-Pacific Japan – Environmental, Health & Safety Division, Hewlett-Packard Company said I am encouraged that the travel industry is focused on this issue. I hope the travel industry approaches companies to provide plans, best practices, and solutions.
Three years ago, the Asia-Pacific conference introduced the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the business travel industry. ACTE`s goal is to raise awareness of CSR options and share case studies on how the industry can become involved in CSR, if they so choose. Since then ACTE has worked with Johnson and Johnson to discuss how corporations can work with local blood banks to give blood. We have engaged airlines in discussions on how the travel industry can mitigate Co2 emissions. And we are working on making the ACTE Barcelona conference carbon neutral. We have also reached out to international organizations, the U.S. Government, and not for profit organizations on how we can work together to reduce the trafficking of women and children. At this year event, Tom Ehr, Executive Director of the MTV Europe Foundation, delivered a presentation outlining the economic, social, and political costs associated with trafficking.
No ACTE conference would be complete without a Technology Showcase and this year`s event was sold out months in advance. Venders displayed the latest in online booking tools, communications devices, and expense management software. The Technology Showcase format allows conference participants too see actual software and working samples (not dreamware) in a hype-free environment conducive to comparison. This year`s presentation was so successful, that many of the vendors are already reserving next year`s space. The response to our Technology Showcase in Asia this year is ample proof that suppliers are reaching out to the business travel industry, and that ACTE is the best way to reach it, said Gurley.
The success of the Asia-Pacific Regional Education Conference follows a string of attendance-breaking Executive Forums around the world. It is anticipated that participation from Asia and the Pacific Rim in ACTE`s Global Education Conference in Barcelona (22-24 October) will be equally strong.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
