For Release — June 25, 2018
Contact: Jeff Bollig, Director of Marketing/Public Relations
Email: jbollig@acendas.com; Office: 913-384-999, ext. 5540; Cell: 913-449-1635
Link to News Release: http://acendasvacations.com/blog/acendas-travel-grows-portfolio-with-acquisition-of-travel-partners/
Sioux Falls, S.D. agency to operate as a subsidiary
Acendas Travel grows portfolio with acquisition of Travel Partners
Eden Prairie, Minn. / Mission, Kan. – Acendas Travel, with headquarters co-located in Minneapolis and Kansas City, has expanded with the acquisition of Travel Partners, a Sioux Falls, S.D. vacation travel agency.
The deal is effective immediately.
While current Acendas Travel staff will assume various operational aspects through the purchase, Travel Partners will retain its name and remain as a stand-alone agency. Previous owner Mary Jo Nelson will continue to serve as the manager, while the existing staff will stay on board.
“This is a positive move for our clients and Travel Partners,” Nelson said. “We looked at our future needs and determined that in order to continue to provide the best service to our customers and to stay competitive, we needed additional resources. Acendas Travel is the perfect partner because its philosophy matches ours and it is a recognized leader in the industry.”
Nelson purchased Jack Rabbit Tour and Travel in 2000, after working there 12 years as an agent, and renamed it Travel Partners. She has been a part of the travel industry for 42 years.
“We are excited to have the Travel Partners team come under the Acendas Travel umbrella and look forward to continuing to serve the Sioux Falls market,” Acendas Travel President Brent Blake said. “We have a focus on growth, but only if it is a good fit. Travel Partners is not only a good fit, it is a great fit.”
The move continues an expanding presence of Acendas Travel operations. It began with the acquisition of Vanguard Travel in Minneapolis in 2010. The Minnesota growth continued by folding in Gateway Express Travel (2012), Interlachen Travel (2013) and most recently Edina Travel (2016).
Acendas Travel was founded in Kansas City in 1982. In 2001, Acendas Travel became a joint venture with BCD Travel, the third largest purchaser of corporate travel in the United States. This allows Acendas and its clients access to leading technology, travel discounts and a variety of resources.
About Acendas Travel
Acendas is an award-winning, nationally-rated top 50 travel management company with 35 years experience delivering industry-leading corporate travel solutions, full-service meeting/incentive support and customized vacation/leisure travel planning. Its success has been built on a foundation of unmatched expertise, outstanding customer service and the latest technological innovation to enhance the travel experience. Based in Kansas City and Minneapolis, the Acendas team offers a network of dedicated professionals throughout the United States to serve every travel need. Visit Acendas at www.acendas.com or acendasvacations.com.
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