CONTACT:
North America: Marina Velikova, +1-703-684-0836 Ext. 132, mvelikova@nbta.org
Europe: Gerd Otto-Rieke, +49-89-15090842
Paragon Partnership Prepares European Regional Council
Netherlands Corporate Travel Association Joins International Alliance
Frankfurt, Germany (April 13, 2005) -- Delegates from business travel organizations of eight European countries decided to establish a European Regional Council under the umbrella of the Paragon Partnership, the global alliance of business travel associations. In a meeting in Frankfurt, Germany on April 12, a task force was appointed to present details in June. The European Regional Council will focus on business travel problems which cannot be solved on a national level, such as EU legislation.
The North American Paragon members NBTA and CBTA support the move, which will strengthen the regional relevance of buyer-driven business travel organizations. A possible next step this year could be the appointment of a central European representative to address Paragon’s topics to supranational bodies.
At the same meeting, Paragon welcomed the Netherlands Association for Travel Management (NATM) as a new member, raising membership to twelve.
In other news, the Paragon Partnership recently completed the redesign of its website (www.paragon-partnership.org).
The Paragon members also discussed opportunities for a European and/or Global Business Travel Report. At present, business travel reports with different concepts are published in most member countries.
The Partners also discussed and will be evaluating opportunities for joint education programs and a Global Certification Program to standardize travel management training.
The next Paragon Partnership’s meeting will take place August 14, 2005 in San Diego, USA.
The current members of the Paragon Partnership are:
Brazilian Business Travel Association (ABGEV)
Australasian Business Travel Association (ABTA)
Austrian Business Travel Association (ABTA-Austria)
The French Business Travel Association (AFCV)
Canadian Business Travel Association (CBTA)
Danish Business Travel Association (DBTA)
Finnish Business Travel Association (FBTA)
Iberian Business Travel Association (IBTA)
National Business Travel Association (NBTA) USA
Netherlands Association for Travel Management (NATM)
Swedish Business Travel Association (SBTA)
The Business Travel Association of Germany (VDR)
The Paragon Partnership is the global alliance of business travel associations including buyer-led business travel industry organizations worldwide. Together, the Paragon Partners represent about 4,000 business travel buyers and suppliers. Members of the Paragon Partner associations manage and direct more than US-$187 billion, which translates to more than €143 billion. For more information, go to www.paragon-partnership.org.