French Association of Travel Managers Broadens Its Horizons Via ...

French Association of Travel Managers Broadens Its Horizons
Via Partnership with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives;
Organizations will use their combined resources to better serve international markets
(PARIS - March 11, 2011) The French Association of Travel Managers (AFTM), the largest travel
management organization in France, has renewed its relationship with the Association of Corporate
Travel Executives (ACTE), the leading non-profit business travel organization serving 102 countries
worldwide. The two organizations have established a one-year, renewable strategic alliance, it was
announced today.
“For more than two decades, ACTE has united travel professionals around the world as a memberdriven
„global village,‟ providing benchmark research, best practices and training to the travel
industry‟s leading buyers and sellers,” noted Ron DiLeo, Executive Director of ACTE, adding, “ACTE
is recognized globally as an agent of positive change and a driver of education across all segments of
business travel.”
AFTM is a France-based, non-profit organization created by a group of leading French corporate
travel agents to enhance the professional status and promote the role of Travel Managers. The
organization strives to help acclimate newcomers and obtain professional recognition for the
corporate travel industry. AFTM also seeks to train those who will be responsible for coordinating
corporate travel for major French, European and international companies.
According to Mr. DiLeo, under the terms of the new alliance, ACTE will contribute its global
knowledge and resources. In turn, AFTM will provide insight into local markets and help design
relevant, market-specific programs.
The President of The French Association of Travel Managers, Michel Dieleman, said, “We are
enthusiastic and excited about our new partnership with ACTE. We believe this agreement will allow
AFTM to expand our reach to an international market, while simultaneously affording ACTE greater
local resources in Europe, and particularly, in France. Our industry is constantly evolving and we look
forward to enjoying the benefits of this new strategic alliance.”
Extending and reinforcing the benefits of the new alliance, this Fall, the Association of Corporate
Travel Executives (ACTE) will host a Global Conference in Paris, from October 2 – 4, 2011.
Included in the conference will be a French track of education sessions, open to anyone who wishes
to participate, but designed specifically for AFTM members. ACTE and AFTM will also continue
collaborating on other French-specific forums throughout the year.
About ACTE
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel
industry through its executive level educational programmes, international advocacy efforts, and
independent industry research. Over 10,000 travel professionals participate in ACTE‟s education
programmes worldwide every year. These participants consist of senior travel industry executives

from 103 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry and serving more than 12
million business travelers globally. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe,
Latin America, Middle East and the United States.
About AFTM
Association Française des Travel Managers (AFTM), a non-profit organization, was created in 2008
to enhance the professional status of Travel Managers. AFTM links the worlds of
Sourcing/Purchasing, Information Technology and Human Resources with expertise in business
travel.