The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) will hold its first joint Executive Forum in Costa Rica, 9 April 2008, in partnership with BCD Travel in Costa Rica. The event will feature panels, presentations and roundtable discussions on proven travel management techniques, technological developments, and advanced travel management theory.

"ACTE has partnered with BCD Travel in Costa Rica to hold the first Central America education event in this country, marking another milestone in our 20 year history. With this event, we continue to reinforce our commitment to corporate growth and international economic expansion through education," Susan Gurley, ACTE Executive Director, said. "ACTE recognizes that the Latin American region contains abundant growth opportunities for the corporate travel industry, which we fully support and in which we will continue to play a vital and leading role," she added.

Barbara Blue, Division President for BCD Travel Latin America, emphasized that, "Central America has become a region of great importance for the corporate travel industry. The increase in business travel to and from the region, as well as a growing demand for centralized management, is already well under way."

Continued Blue, "As a leader in program management and regional negotiations in Central America, BCD Travel has joined ACTE in this Executive Forum to consider new opportunities and solutions in this exciting new frontier. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the underlying viability of Central America's corporate travel industry."

In addition to the educational and roundtable discussions that have become an industry standard for ACTE events held around the world, the Costa Rica event will also host a smaller version of the association's successful "Solutions Showcase." This showcase will include specialized presentations of new travel technology and services of particular interest to travel managers throughout the region. Provisions are being made to make this one of ACTE's "greenest" events, with memory flash drives replacing handouts to minimize paper usage.

The ACTE Central America Education Event is one of a series of events that will mark ACTE's growing presence throughout the Latin American region. In 2008, the association will host additional educational events in Mexico City, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.