A networking reception convened by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) in Prague on 16 April 2008, quickly became the basis of a much broader discussion on the issues facing the business travel industry in the Czech Republic and throughout Central Europe, a region which has seen a 190 percent increase in GDP per capita since 1999. In comparison, the GDP for the United States, United Kingdom and Germany in the same period collectively grew by just 55 percent.

According to a statement issued by Megan Costello, ACTE Deputy Executive Director, "The purpose of this event was to gather insight regarding the direction our profession is taking in Central Europe, and to provide a venue for professionals in the region to build stronger relationships with their peers. In addition, the event gave ACTE the opportunity to introduce ourselves and explain our programs."

Part of the evening's agenda included a presentation by veteran ACTE member Ian Epps, Director of Partnership Relations, International Travel Partnership (ITP). Epps delivered a multi-dimensional discussion, incorporating statistics and anecdotal data, to summarize the business travel industry in the immediate region, and in the global marketplace. Epps emphasized that the scope of travel management has become so large, and covers so many concurrent developments, that it is only through participation in a truly global organization like ACTE that executives can continue to be well-informed on a number of pertinent topics affecting the business travel industry.

ACTE has seen a significant growth in membership in Central Europe, and is encouraged by the number of individuals from the region already registered for the ACTE Global Education Conference in Rome (5-7 October).

Prague has been added to ACTE's 2008 educational agenda and several new members have already applied to help plan the next event.  Prague is also under strong consideration by ACTE to host the 2009 Global Education Conference.

Due to ACTE's continued growth in Europe and expansion into Central Europe and Russia, ACTE has increased its resources in the region with the addition of another regional director and regional manager. The current team on the ground for ACTE in Europe includes:

• Caroline Allen, Regional Director, UK, Ireland and Emerging Markets
• Christine Dunton-Tinnus, Regional Director, Western & Southern Europe
• Jennifer Fitzgerald, Regional Manager, Northern & Central Europe and Russia
• Pilar Sanchez Aita, Regional Manager, Western & Southern Europe