Alexandria, Va. June 24 — Responding to strong market demand, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and the Russian Association of Business Travel are now working as one entity throughout Russia as ABT-ACTE Russia.
Greeley Koch, ACTE’s Executive Director, acknowledged the signing of a formal agreement between the two groups, creating an “affiliate partnership,” which will jointly conduct an educational programme of more than 20 events in Russia through the year.
“Increasing business travel market interest has confirmed the demand for a regular programme of education in Russia throughout the calendar year,” said Koch. “Our new affiliate partnership enables both ABT and ACTE to maximise our presence without taxing either association’s resources. We’ll be able to provide more benefits and services to our members through multiple events.
The ABT-ACTE Russia Executive Director Julia Kutina said, “Our associations have similar goals and objectives and our members face similar challenges. A formalized agreement with ACTE is not only logical, but also the fastest way to develop higher international travel management standards.”
The new affiliate partnership introduced an “ACTE Russia” logo on the ABT website, alongside the legend: “In Partnership with the Russian Association of Business Travel.” According to Caroline Allen, Regional Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, the partnership is off to a great start.
“We have been partnering with ABT for the past three years and both groups bring a lot to the table. ACTE’s educational format has proven to be a great success in Russia over the past six years since we launched in the region. The market testing of this affiliate partnership has already exceeded expectation,” said Allen, who spent more than 6 months engineering the new arrangement.
ABT-ACTE Russia has formed the Member’s Council to provide insight and guidance about travel trends and challenges, and to help determine the focus for ABT-ACTE’s educational programmes throughout the year.
Olga Khorasanova has been named volunteer Head of the Member’s Council for ABT-ACTE Russia. A geographic unit capability manager, Olga Khorasanova is currently Greece and Emerging Markets (GEM) Travel Lead for Accenture PLC. “Olga has been instrumental in ACTE’s growth and development in Russia for the past six years and is a strong advocate for industry growth and learning. She is a natural choice to help steer our new affiliation to the next stage,” said Allen.
Olga Khorasanova will be joined on the Member’s Council by:
• Irina Kostyukova, Kaspersky Lab. – Deputy Head of Member’s Council
• Marina Krechetnikova, JTI – council member
• Tatiana Ovchinnikova, Bayer – council member
• Anzhelika Snitko, Bayer – council member
• Eugeny Evlannikov, Ernst & Young (CIS) B.V. – council member
ABT-ACTE Russia will host more than 20 education events each year, with approximately 10 events scheduled throughout the remainder of 2014 and another 20 events in 2015. 2014 education programmes will primarily take place in Moscow covering topics including: Travel Manager Focus; “ROI”; Travel Policy; Duty of Care; Seminar for Hotel Industry Staff; Introduction to MICE Training; and 2014 Overview. 2015 programme and content planning will start soon. See ACTE and ABT websites for event updates.
