Global travel association brings another back from the dead (well, sort of)

Hand rising out from the grave
By Travel Weekly


The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has acquired key assets of the defunct Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE).

The ACTE announced back in July that it had ceased operations and was filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States, leaving in the lurch more than 2,000 members.

However, it appears parts of the organisation will live on, with two former ACTE board members to join the GBTA’s global board as part of the acquisition.

Alison Taylor, chief customer officer at American Airlines, will serve the remainder of the vacant ALC vice presidency; and Steve Sitto, senior manager of global travel and events at Tesla, will serve the remainder of the vacant direct-member-at-large term.

Both terms will be completed at the time of the next GBTA Convention in July 2021.

In addition, a committee led by GBTA chairman Christle Johnson and former ACTE executive director Greeley Koch will work together with the association’s staff and industry volunteers to identify the best value that the newly combined entity can deliver to its members.

GBTA president Bhart Sarin said: “We are beyond thrilled to bring GBTA and ACTE together, creating one home for the thousands of business travel professionals who will collectively bring back business travel bigger and better than ever.

“This very challenging year has presented us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We look forward to creating the world’s best association for travel professionals to learn, network and grow.”

Dave Hilfman, interim executive director of the GBTA, said: “The addition of an amazing brand like ACTE will give GBTA members the absolute best opportunities for education, networking, research and advocacy.

“We look forward to combining the best attributes of both associations with our ‘Ready. Safe. Travel’ campaign as we continue to advocate for business travel’s path to recovery.”

Featured image source: iStock/amoklv

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