Atlanta based WorldTravel BTI joins forces with McCord Travel

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Posted 9:24AM on Thursday, February 14, 2002

ATLANTA - WorldTravel BTI and McCord, two of the nation's largest travel management firms, announced today their plans to join forces, creating an enterprise with combined 2001 travel sales of more than $3.8 billion. "We are pleased to welcome McCord into our family. Our aligned executive philosophies and corporate cultures make McCord an ideal choice for enhancing our company and product offerings," said Mike Buckman, CEO of WorldTravel BTI. "The depth of our executive team and staff will be strengthened with the addition of the McCord employees." The merged entity, which will be known as WorldTravel BTI, will be firmly positioned among the top three travel management companies in the United States. The company will provide a full range of corporate, meetings and performance improvement, and leisure travel services, emphasizing flexibility in meeting customer needs and innovative technological solutions. "We are excited to be part of a powerful and respected organization that has the talent and capabilities to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving travel market," said Bruce Black, former CEO of McCord. "Together, our companies will continue to focus on our customers and employees, providing quality service combined with the best technology the industry has to offer." The merged company will be headquartered in Atlanta, home of WorldTravel BTI since its inception in 1987. McCord's Western, Central and Eastern corporate travel regions will integrate into WorldTravel BTI's four corporate travel divisions -- West, Midwest, East and Southeast. Both companies' meetings and incentives divisions will become a single entity headquartered in Chicago. McCord's Hoffman Entertainment Travel group, headquartered in Burbank, will continue to provide VIP travel services to their entertainment customers, and will report into WorldTravel BTI's West Division. WorldTravel BTI, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with more than 4,900 employees, 1,400 locations across the country, and 46 affiliate agencies in the United States.