The acquisition follows InteleTravel’s acquisition last year of corporate travel alliance Hickory Global Partners and, according to the announcement, is another step in the company’s strategy to leverage its leisure travel success and shared resources across more travel markets, while innovating in blended travel by crossing traditional lines separating leisure and business travel.
The venture means Hickory, in particular, will expand its value proposition to members with a new, significant source of revenue, according to the announcement. The MGME integration will empower Hickory member corporate agencies and travel departments to offer their clients event production, meeting planning, conference logistical services and creative development.
MGME will continue operating as an independent brand but as a wholly owned unit of InteleTravel, just like Hickory. However, said the announcement, MGME and its clients will benefit from InteleTravel’s resources and scale, as the three companies join in business development, purchasing power, cross-utilizing capabilities and finding economies and efficiencies.
Chris Dane, president of Hickory, said the deal will allow members and partners “to have full access to top-to-bottom world-class event planning and coordination without having to engage with multiple vendors.”
