The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has announced Suzanne Neufang, general manager of GetThere, will serve as president-elect.

The news was revealed to a record 1,000 business travel delegates attending the ACTE Global Education Conference in Paris, France.

Effective January 2012, Neufang will succeed current ACTE president Chris Crowley, senior vice president, global client team Europe, Middle East, and Africa at BCD Travel.

During his ACTE 2009-2011 term, Crowley helped ACTE cultivate a united, global voice for the business travel industry.

In a statement to ACTE’s nominating committee, Neufang said: “I look forward to using my 20 years of travel and telecom experience and my multi-cultural perspective to serve ACTE and the global travel industry.

“I am eager to help prepare ACTE members for industry and professional changes that the next decade will bring.”

A key platform for ACTE’s global mission, as assessed by Neufang, is embracing innovation. 

This includes implementing best practices for integrating developments in technology, business intelligence and analytics into business travel. 

Additionally, Neufang envisions growing ACTE’s role as an integral force in forging alliances and partnerships between travel suppliers and buyers – across travel, meetings, and non-traditional technology-related functions.

“After an extensive search, ACTE is pleased and honoured that Suzanne Neufang will lead the Association as president in 2012 -2013,” said ACTE executive director, Ron DiLeo.

“Suzanne has been actively dedicated to ACTE’s mission, vision, and goals for that past six years.

“Her appointment is a forward step to advancing ACTE as the leader in global business travel connectivity and education.”