ASSOCIATIONS

Canadian Travel Managers to learn more about WHTI at ACTE Canada Conference
08/11/2006
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Montreal Education Conference will provide Canadian perspectives on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) on 21 November 2006. The first-annual ACTE Canada Education Conference will host over 200 business travel professionals with more than 34 percent of those represented companies being corporate travel buyers. With over 12 percent of the conference delegates from Western Canada, this is truly a National Conference.
Greg Goatbe, Vice President of the Canada Border Services Agency, will discuss traveller safety and security enhancements, with focus on Canadian perspectives of Canada-U.S. border issues. Mr. Goatbe will examine changes impacting travellers due to recent terrorist activities, traveller security issues, and U.S. implementation of WHTI passport requirements effecting Canadian and U.S. travellers. Attendees participating in the Goatbe session should be advised that the session qualifies for credit towards the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) education requirement for certification.
Canadian and US officials have engaged in continual dialogue regarding WHTI and the potential impact on the economies and border communities of both countries. During the Cancun Summit, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President George W. Bush engaged in constructive dialogue regarding the proposed Initiative. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, stated in September 2006 that despite concerns over the potential economic impact, the two governments continue to collaborate in an effort to "secure our shared objective of keeping the border open to legitimate trade and travellers but closed to terrorists and criminals."