BCD Travel increases stake in U.S. affiliate Acendas Travel

BCD Travel increases stake in U.S. affiliate Acendas Travel

ATLANTA, Sept. 7, 2017 – Global corporate travel management company BCD Travel has increased its ownership interest in Acendas Travel. Co-headquartered in Mission, Kan., and Eden Prairie, Minn., Acendas is a part of the BCD Travel Affiliates, a network of 30 corporate travel agencies with more than 450 locations.

“Partnerships and smart investments in companies like Acendas, not only fuel business growth but also allow us to continue providing exceptional products and services to our clients,” said Mike Janssen, BCD’s president of the Americas region.

The decision to take a greater ownership stake in the company came with the impending retirement of one of Acendas’ owners, Gary D. Davis. Acendas will continue to operate as a BCD affiliate under its current name.

“BCD Travel has been a trusted partner of ours for over 14 years,” said Acendas co-owner Brent Blake. “We use [BCD’s] technologies within our operations. We utilize their global platform to service several of our clients in other countries and we seek their advice on industry issues in determining our long-term strategies.”

BCD’s investment in Acendas is the latest move in the TMC’s aggressive expansion plans. Other acquisitions have included full ownership in Nordic travel agency Ticket Biz, majority stakes in Hong Kong and China, acquisition of U.K.-based international events agency Zibrant, marketing logistics agency Plan 365 Life Sciences, mobile technology company GetGoing, Knoxville, Tenn.-based World Travel Services, Dubai ownership stake and Brazil ownership. Acendas has been expanding as well with four acquisitions in Minnesota since 2010.