ACTE Prez Lands New Job

Cheryl Hutchinson, president of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, on Aug. 26 joined Sabre's GetThere as director of strategic development, working with existing GetThere clients to design and implement optimal adoption strategies.

"My goal is to really work with customers on online booking adoption and discover opportunities for cost savings," said Hutchinson, formerly American Management Systems global travel manager. She added that her experiences using GetThere at AMS since 1999 have prepared her well for the new job.

Hutchinson left Fairfax, Va.-based AMS in March after seven years at the global consulting firm, which spends $100 million on travel and entertainment annually.

Working for GetThere from her home in San Diego, Hutchinson will continue her role as ACTE president.

"I don't see this change in my career as influencing my presidency of ACTE in any way," Hutchinson said. "If anything, this move will broaden my perspective on the business travel industry."

Among other things, Hutchinson said her efforts at ACTE currently are focused on education. Starting with its October global conference in Munich, ACTE is serializing its Advancing The Industry educational program and tailoring each presentation to the timely needs of its members.

"We are going to start taking surveys in advance and getting questions from members in advance to add more value" to ACTE presentations and deliver appropriate educational materials, she said. "Feedback from our membership allows us to make the right response when industry changes come up, like the current nonrefundable airfare issue."