Transforming the Business Travel Marketplace with a New Environmentally-Friendly Trade Show Concept

Read more about: business travel, conferences, corporate responsibility, corporate travel, technology, trade shows

Eight years after introducing the landmark “Solutions Showcase” concept, and four years after launching the industry’s first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is once again changing the way business travel suppliers and buyers conduct business at major travel trade events by introducing TransACTE – Transforming the Business Travel Marketplace. This new, environmentally-friendly design is in response to requests by ACTE sponsors, suppliers, corporate buyers, and stakeholders for ACTE to provide a fresh, carbon-low alternative to the current model of traditional trade shows.

“When ACTE first developed the TransACTE concept, it was also important to us that it meet our environmental CSR standards,” said Susan Gurley, ACTE Executive Director. “ACTE was the first industry association to hold a carbon low conference and we continue to select hotels and conference centers based on their green programs. Since 2004, ACTE has made CSR an integral part of its global education programs, and we will continue to do so for the benefit of our members and the environment.”

TransACTE has a much smaller carbon footprint in comparison to that of a traditional trade show. This is in keeping with ACTE’s commitment to bringing environmentally-friendly solutions to the industry.

Suppliers save money and leave less of a carbon footprint by not having to:

1. Pay to design, build, and store a booth or compete with others in scale or complexity
2. Ship, set-up and teardown a booth, a backdrop or tabletop display.

All exhibitors have to do is show up and TransACTE will take care of the rest.

TransACTE offers a turnkey alternative to traditional trade shows. For one low, all inclusive price suppliers may choose from two booth configurations, depending upon which model best suits their business needs. The first option is a Demonstration style set-up, designed for product demonstrations and includes a kiosk and Internet connection. The second option – a Meet & Greet set-up is more of a lounge style set up (with Internet), conducive to organizations that don’t necessarily have a product demonstration, but want a place to meet customers and prospective clients. Each booth option will display identical signage – with the corporate name and logo – on a header. Each option will also be available at the same low all-inclusive rate. Participants are also welcome and encouraged to have a combination of both options in a double booth.

The TransACTE concept is being introduced at ACTE’s Global Education Conference in Rome, 5-7 October, as part of the association’s 20th Anniversary celebration, and will be rolled out at future ACTE Global and Regional education conferences in Africa, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

TransACTE will be open to all suppliers, not only those offering a technology solution, thereby broadening the range of “solutions” made available to ACTE education conference participants. TransACTE will remain small and intimate and will be limited to approximately 100 booths over the next few years.

As it has in past events, ACTE will continue to recognize those exhibitors who showcase a “green” solution, tool or product with a green leaf symbol in all education conference materials.

ABOUT ACTE
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE’s membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €200 billion business travel industry. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.

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