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The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) kicked off its 2009 autumn education program with a heavily attended Paris Executive Forum, held on 23 September 2009, in conjunction with the IFTM Top Resa Paris, which is the premier travel trade show in France. One hundred and twenty-six participants, representing some of the largest multi-national companies in the world (i.e. Walt Disney, Total, Michelin, Johnson Controls, and Safran), met to discuss costs and strategies of the global distribution system, ongoing challenges in corporate security, and a variety of other subjects which constituted the basis of an exclusive “corporate chat.”
“Which the high number of corporates representing some of the top companies in the world, the Paris event showed a significant change in the perception of ACTE by buyers and travel managers,” said Jerome Drevon-Barreaux, ACTE Europe Regional Chair and group travel manager for Capgemini Service. “It was the highest number of participants ever for an ACTE Paris event.”
Welcoming delegates with brief presentations, Jerome Drevon-Barreaux was joined by Vincent Lhoste, Directeur du salon Top Resa, Reed Expositions France in offering statements of industry solidarity and confidence in the future. The event carried the endorsement of the French Business Travel Association, whose President – Michel Dieleman, travel manager of Orange and now president of the Association Francaise des Travel Managers (AFTM) – was also in attendance.
The opening session, “Cost and Strategies of Future Distribution Landscape and Models,” commenced with a keynote presentation by Cyril Tetaz, Head of Marketing, Airline Distribution, Amadeus, followed by a lively panel discussion conducted by Claire Gagnaire, General Manager, Sabre France; Floyd M. Widener, Vice President Sales & Global Program Management, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Carlson Wagonlit Travel; and Antoine Huet, Vice President, Global Corporate Sales, Air France/KLM. In summary, corporate members expressed strong concern the segregation of the different elements which constitute the ticket price; and the tendency to add fees. They also sent a message to the industry that they want to be consulted in any dialogues or changes in this process, as opposed to just being presented with the outcome.
“The event was most appreciated and my expectations were over-exceeded” stated Sonya Basmadjian, Corporate Travel Purchasing Manager for Corporate Purchasing at TOTAL S.A. “It was the first time we covered the transparency of all costs involved in the distribution process and the opportunity to clearly understand the strategies and models in place in this fast evolving market.”
The second session was titled “ The Corporate Chat,” which primarily focused on technology. This unique presentation was divided into three highly innovative parts: aspects of technology that did not win travel manager approval, elements of technology that were feared by travel managers, and an industry wish list. “For the first time ACTE conducted a corporate chat session at the Paris forum which enabled an open and candid discussion amongst travel managers and buyers. The theme of the chat was technology – expectations, satisfaction with market offer and a corporate wish list were part of the session ”, Christine Dunton-Tinnus, ACTE Regional Director, Europe said. “The results were afterwards shared with the suppliers attending the event. The points will be posted on ACTE Connect and the ACTE LinkedIn platform for further discussion amongst corporates and suppliers.”
The third and final session on the agenda was “Safety And Security Strategies, And The Role of The Business Travel Manager.” The presentation included the perspectives two leading security analysts and two “best practices” corporate case studies. Participants included Stephane Dana, Result Group France, International Business Risk Consulting; Andreas Krugmann, Manager Business Travel industry, Mondial Assistance Group, Mondial Assistance International AG; Pierre Novaro, Direction de la Securite General, Responsable Pole Gouvernance de la Surete, TOTAL S.A.; and Michael Doerr, Head of Travel Management, EADS-European Aeronautic Defence & Space Travel.
The discussion focused on the most critical points of travel security, including methods of locating travelers, communications under stress, and methods of rendering assistance. The importance of travel department involvement with corporate security, along with Human Resources and upper management, was strongly emphasized. The accent was on preparation, as after-the-fact redress was regarded as too little-too late.
Michel Navarro, Group Travel Manager Michelin, said, “High experienced presenters gave useful information about aerial distribution value chain and security management connected with our day-to-day concerns. Furthermore this forum has been a great opportunity to share best practices with Travel Managers.”
The success of the recent forum in Paris and others around the region reflects ACTE’s reputation as the primary source of unbiased data in Europe, and is anticipated as the prelude to an even larger, and more encompassing, Global Education Conference in Prague (25-27 October 2009). Upcoming ACTE Executive Forums in Europe include: Milan (17 November), Madrid (22-23 November), London (26 November) and Stockholm (1 December).
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
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