ABT and ACTE unite to promote business travel in Russia

The Russian Association of Business Travel and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) have consolidated to facilitate further development of the Russian business travel market. This event was announced at Moscow Educational ACTE Forum that took place on March 13th in Novotel Moscow City.

The initiative implies creation of a joint organization that will become official representative of the interests of the largest international association in the field of business travel under the brand «ABT-ACTE Russia» on the territory of Russia and the CIS. The new form of cooperation lets its participants join their efforts to hold events and educational programs, it allows business travel experts exchange experience.

Due to this partnership educational sessions and ABT educational programs (Travel manager and Business Travel Agent) will be conducted under the auspices of the global association and will have an international status proved by the joint ABT-ACTE Russia certificate.

The importance and the liability imposed by this decision was stressed by ABT chairman Vadim Zelensky: «We have always shared ACTE ideas in the field of educational programs, its vision of the profession of a travel manager. I am sure that we will achieve a lot together. For us cooperation with ACTE is a unique chance to join our efforts in the field of event conduction».

«This is the first case of such cooperation in the field of business travel in the world», Greely Koch, ACTE executive director said. «We are speaking about a new level of relations and partnership, that will strengthen our positions in the business travel market and give us additional benefits. We are impressed by the steps made by the Association of Business Travel in Russia».

The mission of ACTE, which was founded in 1988 to provide global education in the field of business travel, is the establishment of a meaningful dialogue between industry representatives. The association provides professional and independent consultations and recommendations, holds congresses, forums and seminars, as well as carries out market research on the regional and global level.

ABT has been present in the Russian market since 2004. It regularly holds diverse educational sessions with the participation of the leading industry experts in order to discuss key issues of travel management; it implements unique educational programs «Travel manager» and «Business Travel Agent», that offer their participants specialized knowledge and an opportunity to acquire a new profession, it carries out joint projects with international organizations.

ABT members are travel managers and procurement specialists from more than 100 largest international and Russian corporations. ABT partners are over 50 leading business travel suppliers: international and Russian airlines, hotel chains, business travel agencies etc.