With world commerce focused on the critical role that business travel plays in the international economy, three days in October are assuming a growing significance. Business travel executives from the most respected multinational companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the United States, Africa, and the Middle East – more than 1,000 of the most knowledgeable authorities in the industry – will meet in

"Business travel is an integral part of the global economy, with the health of this sector having a trickledown effect on so many related industries," ACTE President Richard Crum, said. "ACTE educational events offer you and your company solutions and tools to effectively navigate the rocky economic terrain. In addition, experts such as chief economist Dr. Nariman Behravesh of Global Insight, who will speak at our Rome conference, provide realistic perspectives which define the challenges and the opportunities that exist in our industry today."

The best-established professional association serving the worldwide business travel industry since 1988, ACTE conferences have been drawing top names in commerce, finance, transportation, hospitality, academia and communications not only as speakers and presenters – but as participants as well. Government leaders, economists, CEOs and company presidents, plus hundreds of travel managers, who collectively save their companies billions of euros, yen, dollars, and pounds in travel expenses, will attend this conference.

Crum added, "If you are searching for solutions regarding corporate social responsibility, online booking tools and advance procurement techniques, then the ACTE Global Education Conference in Rome is the most important business travel event to attend this year."

While all ACTE conferences reflect the association's strong global constituency, care is taken to consult with regional experts on the most pressing issues. Seventeen educational sessions at the ACTE Global Education Conference in Rome will cover every aspect of advanced business travel management, with a special emphasis on Europe and Italy. They include:

• The Pillars of a Successful Strategic Meetings Management Program
• Making a Multinational Travel Program Work: Managing Expectations
• Best Practices in Expense Management
• Duty of Care Workshop
• Redefining Travel Management
• Capturing Procurement Synergies Between Transient Travel and SMM
• Tching-Tching! Finding Transparency and Managing Unbundled Vendor Costs
• Procurement Strategies to Maximize Airline Negotiations
• Making Travel Management Work in ASPAC
• GDS Transaction Transparency
• Best Practices in Hotel Data Management & Procurement
• New Technologies for Business Travel
• Vendor Sourcing Strategies for ASPAC
• Managing the Pain/Cost of Green
• Making Travel Management Work in Russia
• Fulfilling on the Promises of Hotel Procurement
• Managing EC Passenger Rights Legislation

ACTE's unique educational model offers a balanced perspective of the worldwide industry view as it relates to the corporate growth in each primary region. Each full day of educational programming will be anchored by distinguished keynote speakers – economists, CEOs, company presidents, diplomats, and elected officials – plus journalists, commentators, and travel industry analysts. Current speakers include:

• Dr. Nariman Behravesh, Chief Economist, Global Insight
• Sylvia Poggioli, Senior European Correspondent, National Public Radio
• John F. Burns, London Bureau Chief, The New York Times
• Boyd Matson, Television Host, National Geographic

The ACTE Rome Global Education Conference will be held at the Rome Marriott Park Hotel, conveniently located between the city center and the airport.