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The Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) 9th Annual Asia-Pacific Education Conference, held in Singapore on 25th and 26th October, drew more than 460 delegates from 24 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, making it one of the highest attended and most diverse ever. Delegates participated in in-depth dialogue and discussion during a series of general sessions and educational presentations guided by three key themes – Travel Procurement and Sourcing, Travel and Communication Technologies, and Strategic Corporate Travel Management.
“Business travel executives from around the region and the world came to this conference looking for a new approach to industry issues and a departure from the distractions that hold this profession back,” said Ron DiLeo, ACTE Executive Director. “This conference delivered on those desires.”
Four internationally-acclaimed keynotes speakers set the tone of the event, with a strong emphasis on communication. Unmesh Deshmukh, Director, Endpoint Security Sales Asia Pacific & Japan, Symantec Asia Pacific, presented Realities of Corporate Travel in a Digitally Connected World; Ray Bigger, People Architect, Think8, presented "…So You Think You Can Communicate" and “Inspirational Conflict Management” – Are you Kidding, Get Real;” and Yeoh Siew Hoon presented The “C” of Communication or is it Confusion? Nirmalo Wilkes, Managing Director,The Disruption Consultancy, conducted Disruption: Cause for Positive Thinking.
Two comprehensive white papers – Managing The Risks of a Global Workforce and The Tipping Point: Online Adoption and Mobile Technology in Asia Pacific – were presented at the event and provided to delegates. The first addressed increasing security risks and duty of care, while the second focused on online technology emerging reliance on mobile devices. Both white papers can be found on ACTE Connect.
Twelve educational sessions, ranging from procurement to strategic meetings management, and from security to travel alternatives rounded out the program.
“Not only were delegates able to reconnect with their colleagues and build new relationships but they also had the opportunity to challenge the status quo and discuss new solutions to their most pressing challenges,” said Meredith Smith, Travel Manager, APJ, Merck and ACTE Board Member – Asia-Pacific. “There is no other conference in the region that provides such high caliber education and delegates.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
