Latest ACTE-NBTA rumours end

But discussions positive - NBTA

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has today (June 11) dispelled the latest rumours of a possible merger between it and the National Business Travel Association (NBTA).

A spokesman for the ACTE told ABTN recent reports that the two associations had began new merger talks were incorrect.

Rumours of failed merger talks were fuelled when the NBTA announced it had approached the ACTE to ask that it "craft a proposal on how the groups might cooperate".

In a statement released on Tuesday (June 9), the NBTA said "talks about possible opportunities to work together" had ended "with no change".

But the statement contained no mention of a merger. Instead it highlighted the NBTA's drive to "find ways to maximize the value it offers."

The NBTA added: "The discussions were quite positive and reflective of NBTA's open approach to serving the industry through collaboration and partnership.

"The end of the current discussions in no way impacts NBTA's industry-leading operations."

Reports this week said ACTE board members had decided against furthering discussions following concerns it would not get the two thirds majority vote it needed to approve a tie-up.

In a statement dated Monday June 8, the ACTE said its board of directors had "decided to remain a stand-alone organization, to best guarantee the integrity of its programmes and the quality of deliverables to its global members."

“The current economic crisis is reshaping the business travel industry in many ways,” Doug Weeks, ACTE's director, Global Sourcing and Travel, said.

"Change is coming in the way companies conduct business, in the way people travel, and in the way professional associations assist them in this endeavor. ACTE’s board of directors has concluded that meeting our mission can best be accomplished by following our own course of action.”

www.acte.org    www.nbta.org