The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) kicked off the second semester of its Around the World programme in Beijing this past Sunday, welcoming both students and travel professionals alike.

The programme offers participants a customized itinerary to gain market knowledge within select cities and each week-long city itinerary includes economic, industry and cultural briefings, industry updates from key sectors of the corporate travel industry, classroom instruction on global corporate travel management and site visits and partner tours to key suppliers of business travel products and services. This unique program covers the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa and North America.

“We are thrilled to kick off the second semester of Around the World in 80 Hours in Shanghai, China,” said ACTE Regional Director, Benson Tang. “We look forward to working with our regional partners to further the education of our participants and open new topics of discussion about our industry.”

The launch of the program in Shanghai welcomed participants to the Intercontinental Beijing Beichen hotel, and will feature the following educational sessions:

Sunday, 9 September

• Welcome and Programme Briefing
• Chinese Culture and Business Etiquette
• Cultural Activity:  the Great Wall of China

Monday, 10 September

• Visit to Tiananmen Square, Mao Mausoleum and Forbidden City
• Site Visit:  Sofitel Wanda Beijing - The Challenges and Differences in Operating a 5 Star Hotel in China
• Networking Dinner:  Hosted by the Sofitel Wanda Beijing

Tuesday, 11 September

• Site Visit:  International SOS Beijing Command Centre - Behind the Scenes Tour
• Networking Lunch:  Hosted by ISOS Beijing
• Market Update:  Corporate Travel Manager Perspective
• Cocktail Reception:  The Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club - Hosted by ACTE and AirPlus International

Wednesday, 12 September

• Attend The China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM)
• ACTE Education Sessions Include:
• • Optimising Your Business Travel Spend: Do's and Don'ts for Building and Implementing a Travel Policy
  • Improve Finance Processes and Optimise Travel Payment Systems in China
• Myths of Ground Transportation Operation in China – An Overview Conducted by Henry Yao, President, Beijing Limo

Thursday, 13 September

• Attending The China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM)
• ACTE Education Sessions at CIBTM include:
• • Delivering Savings in an Upbeat China Market
  • How to Use Corporate Travel Policy to Build the Enterprise-wide Company Image

Friday, 14 September

• Market Update:  CITS American Express Business Travel
• Networking Lunch:  Hosted by CITS American Express
• Industry Meeting:  TravelSky Technology - Presenter: Gracie Zhao, Marketing Management Manager, TravelSky
• Site Visit:  AirPlus International - Settlement Options and Challenges in China Business Travel – Update by Lucy Wang, General Manager, China, AirPlus International
• Closing Dinner:  Hosted by AirPlus International 

On Saturday some individuals depart for home, while those continuing on will travel to Sydney, Australia for the next set of Around the World in 80 Hours meetings.  Destinations slated for the upcoming semester also include:

• Sydney, Australia
• Delhi, India
• Dubai, UAE
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Sao Paulo, Brazil