General Sessions
ACTE brings keynote speakers and industry leaders who offer fresh perspectives to keep travel managers abreast of the latest trends and inspire innovative solutions to the industries biggest challenges.Look for keynote addresses and panels to focus on the issues that our members have identified as the most timely and important as part of our Education Pillars.
Sunday, April 12 4:30pm - 5:45pm
Success by Design: Discovering your Best Decision-Making Model
Each day offers multiple moments of decision. This entertaining and experienced duo draws from a diverse mix of real-world examples and offers succinct summaries of popular decision-making models that can be applied directly to your work environments—and personal lives – to increase success and bring structure to areas of chaos.
Presented by:
 | Roman Tschaeppeler & Mikael Krogerus Authors of The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking Mikael Krogerus, a freelance journalist for several German publications, and Roman Tschäppeler, founder of management consulting firm Guzo Communications, are co-authors of The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking. |
Monday, April 13 9:00am - 9:45am
Executive Perspective: Hot Topics in Today's Corporate Travel Industry
From economic uncertainty, to changing demographics and technology: the challenges facing the travel industry are numerous and complex. Today’s environment requires airlines to not only resolve long-standing issues, but also to address unforeseen challenges while developing new opportunities. Join Delta President Ed Bastian and Michael Lyons for a lively discussion on a variety of hot topics that confront the travel industry today.
Featuring:
 | Ed Bastian, President, Delta Air Lines Edward H. Bastian is president of Delta Air Lines and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Ed directs a team focused on strengthening Delta’s financial foundation through strategic innovation, debt reduction, revenue growth and bolstering the airline’s global network. Ed also is a member of the Boards of Directors for Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico and GOL. |
Monday, April 13 1:45pm - 2:45pm
Balancing Savings and Service with New Initiatives in Traveller Centricity
Top travel buyers will spotlight some of the industry's most creative developments that are maximizing traveler productivity and satisfaction without breaking budgets. Featuring trend-setting initiatives from AstraZeneca, Microsoft and Sapient, attendees will hear first-hand what the industry’s Best of the Best have been up to, and what is next on their list.Featuring:
Spotlight innovator: Michelle DeCosta, Director, Global Travel and Client Experience, Sapient
Spotlight innovator: Georgie Farmer, Group Manager, Strategic Sourcing, Global Travel & Meetings, Global Procurement Group, Microsoft Corporation
Spotlight innovator: Kerrie Henshaw-Cox, Global Commercial Leader - AstraZeneca Travel Service, AstraZeneca
Hosted and moderated by Jason Long, Vice President, Global Solutions, HRS
With Industry Perspective by Tobias Ragge, CEO, HRS
Compliments of: |
Tuesday, April 14 9:00am-10:00am
The Best of the Best: How Proactive Industry Innovators are Leading the Way
Reflecting on 16 years as a travel columnist for the New York Times, Joe Sharkey will distill the big picture of our industry into the macro trends that are driving innovation (and sometimes disruption) in modern corporate travel management. Then, our industry’s most creative and innovative leaders will illustrate how travel managers are turning trends into realities by shifting their mindsets from reactive to proactive, and leveraging tools that more effectively and seamlessly deliver travelers to their point of arrival.Featuring:
Keynote Speaker: Joe Sharkey, Travel Columnist
Spotlight Innovator: Michelle (Mick) Lee, Founder, Women In Travel (WINiT)
Spotlight Innovator: Susan Lichtenstein, Director of Global Travel, Cisco Systems
Spotlight Innovator: Carol McDowell, Manager, Corporate Travel Services, FINRA
Moderator: Evan Konwiser, Vice President Digital Traveler, American Express Global Business Travel
Compliments of: |
Tuesday, April 14 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Projecting your Most Powerful Self
Think beyond cliched body language. Explore techniques to express your true character, project presence and authority, and harness each business environment to your advantage.
Featuring:
 | Scott Wayne Founder & Lead Consultant, The Frontier Project and author of The Cartography of Negotiation Scott is the Founder of The Frontier Project, a boutique consulting firm that drives by leading behavioral change and helping Fortune 500s in their battle to reignite markets. Working behind the scenes with some of the world’s most influential corporations, Scott discreetly investigates global market opportunities, moderates executive summit meetings, helps R&D divisions to become more innovative and provides negotiation support to C-suite executives. Prior to founding The Frontier Project, Scott worked as British Diplomat and led business development for a global law firm. |
