Skift Take
Through its acquisition of MGME, InteleTravel is looking to leverage its leisure travel experience to grow in the meetings and incentives market.
InteleTravel, an integrated travel distribution group, has acquired MGME (McVeigh Global Meetings & Events), a full-service global events agency. Last year, InteleTravel acquired corporate travel alliance Hickory Global Partners to serve the increasing blended travel market.
MGME will continue operating as an independent brand but as a wholly owned unit of InteleTravel, just like Hickory. The three companies will collaborate on business development, purchasing power, and more. In addition, they will consolidate some supply partner contracts for hotels, air, cars, and even cruises.
“The corporate and business travel market has rebounded fully, and the meetings, conferences, and events industry has been a particularly strong area of growth with analysts projecting the rising importance of business networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and employee motivation and engagement, along with the expansion of tourism in general and the advancement of meeting technologies. The MICE market is predicted to double to over a trillion dollars by the end of the decade,” said James R. Ferrara, president and co-founder of InteleTravel.
Three Companies to Collaborate
The collaboration strategy plans include using InteleTravel’s experience in cruise line charters to help develop MGME event-at-sea offerings. Also, offering MGME’s event production, meeting planning, conference logistical, and creative development services to Hickory’s clients. Likewise, InteleTravel’s booking technology and automation will add value for MGME and its clients. Finally, Hickory will provide air fulfillment for MGME events through Hickory Solutions365, launched last year.
At the end of 2023, InteleTravel had nearly $1 billion in sales and a network of 100,000 travel advisors.
MGME produces more than 1,000 events annually in 70+ countries, with a reported value of more than $500 million. Clients include IATA, Anheuser-Busch, CVS-Aetna, GlaxoSmithKline, HBO, and Novartis.
“I am incredibly excited to ally MGME’s professional storytellers and experienced designers with InteleTravel and Hickory’s travel professionals and clients,” said MGME CEO Carvie Gillikin. “I know how much MGME can offer their agencies, and we are creating the next 30 years of leadership for MGME by being able to expand our travel and accommodations offerings for our global programs and having access to all the other InteleTravel assets, technology, and management.”
