AMERICAS - St Louis-based Maritz Travel, a full-service meeting, event and incentive travel agency, has acquired another agency Experient.

Both agencies claim to be two of the largest companies in the meetings industry and the deal, Maritz says, will allow them to expand their business. 

“As a result of this deal, Maritz Travel will lead the industry in four key areas: corporate, association, tradeshow and strategic meetings management,” says President of Maritz Travel, David Peckinpaugh. “By combining, we will expand the capabilities we bring to clients beyond what either of us might offer independently.”  

The Maritz end-to-end service delivery model will be enhanced by Experient’s ability to provide additional full and select services including registration, housing, site sourcing/contract negotiation and lead retrieval. Clients also will benefit from 12 regional locations and the ability to serve clients across corporate, association, tradeshow and government markets.

In 2011, the agencies claim their combined economic impact represented more than US$2bn in volume spend and nearly three million travellers served.

As a result of the acquisition, Experient CEO Jeff Price will be stepping down, and Experient will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maritz Travel. 

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