Several American Express Executives to Be Featured at 2005 Annual ACTE Global Conference; American Express Showcases Online Solution and Global Business Traveler Survey

Business Wire, May 2, 2005

NEW YORK -- Speakers to Provide Analysis and Commentary on Business Travel Industry Issues

A number of top American Express Business Travel executives will be speaking at the 2005 ACTE Global Conference to be held in Vancouver, Canada from May 1-3. The American Express executives will address a variety of topics, including:

--Successful implementation of online booking tools

--Corporate measurement with respect to consolidating procurement purchasing

--Current issues and challenges facing corporate travel programs

--Working within and challenging the economics of the existing distribution model

American Express representatives participating at ACTE will include:

--Andy McGraw, Senior Vice President, General Manager American Express Business Travel North America - McGraw will offer unique insight on present issues shaping the travel program landscape in an "Industry Perspectives" session. Tuesday, May 3rd, 8:30am

--Sal Vitale, Vice President, Strategic Sourcing for Global Procurement - Vitale will participate in a "Perspectives from the Top" panel, which will focus on consolidation and procurement. Monday, May 2nd, 5:00pm - 6:00pm

--Andrew Winterton, Vice President, Global Supplier Relations - Winterton will moderate "Distribution Economics: Who's Going to Pay?" This panel is an interactive discussion on the current distribution economics model. Tuesday, May 3rd, 10:15am - 11:30am

--Doug Wright, Vice President, Global Business Travel - Wright will facilitate "Going Global Online: Understanding the Cultural Nuances". This panel will focus on online booking tool adoption. Monday, May 2nd, 11:45am - 1:00pm

American Express is proud to be a participant in this year's ACTE Technology & Business Process Showcase. American Express will be showcasing its online solution, American Express Online, that drives service, savings and control over an entire expense management program. American Express will be located in Booth #1, which is located to the right of the Technology Showcase entrance.

In addition, American Express Business Travel will officially unveil the results of the Global Business Traveler Survey at this year's conference. The survey reveals that business travelers have a wide range of preferences and perspectives on topics ranging from the value of rewards programs to the components of an ideal business trip. It also highlights that many business travelers' value security assurances and personal safety when traveling. The findings come from a survey of more than 1000 business travelers in ten countries around the world.

About ACTE Global Conference

The ACTE Annual Global Conference presents critical matters most important to today's high-level international business travel executives. Conference topics range from procurement and distribution to technology, security and safety issues. Conference participants include keynotes, panels, and educational sessions featuring global business travel industry experts, leaders and thinkers from around the world.

About American Express Corporate Services

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks, recording $18 billion in worldwide travel sales in 2004. More information on expense management tools from Corporate Services can be found at http://www.americanexpress.com/corporateservices.> The American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

American Express acts solely as sales agent for travel suppliers and is not liable for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. CST# 1022318-10, TA# 002- Registered Iowa Travel Agency, TA# 149- Registered Ohio Travel Agency, NV# 2001-0126, ML#1192, Washington UBI# 600-469-694

COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire

COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning