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Travel management company Corporate Travel Management announced the acquisition of award winning Melbourne-based agency, etm group, effective 1 October 2011. The move is a key milestone in CTM’s long term strategic plan; delivering not only economies of scale but also the ability to offer a compelling one-stop quality solution to corporate clients.
Specifically, etm group will bolster CTM’s Melbourne corporate presence, deliver meaningful synergies and complete CTM’S national footprint for long term sustainable corporate growth in Australia.
“CTM was looking for a company who would offer us the opportunity to expand our current offering and add value to our clients; and whose culture, value set, passion, expertise, technology and processes positively aligned with ours,” said CTM Managing Director Jamie Pherous.
“The etm group ticks all of those boxes and more – they have a very similar culture to CTM, they have the exact same software platforms to ensure a seamless transition for staff and clients, and we are delighted with the opportunities it presents for our clients, in particular relating to providing quality Event and Conference Management, and high-end Leisure services.
“The fact CTM has won the AFTA Best Corporate Agency in Australia for seven of the last eight years including 2011, and etm has won the inaugural 2011 AFTA Best Events and Incentive Company in Australia says much about the opportunity.
“Together, we are ideally positioned to service the needs of corporate clients under the one roof – something very valuable in Australia and New Zealand, where finding award-winning quality and superior expertise across multiple travel segments in the one provider is extremely difficult.”
etm group Co-Director David Hummerston said CTM was the perfect match for the Melbourne-based agency. “CTM not only have the infrastructure to support our clients and people but the client base to leverage our expert services across Australia and New Zealand,” said Hummerston.
“The fact we are on exactly the same software platforms and share the same culture makes for a seamless transition for both our clients and for our people – we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Under the acquisition, effective 1 October 2011, the corporate and leisure divisions of etm group will change their name to Corporate Travel Management (CTM) while the Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Events departments of etm group will retain their name and operate nationally with the CTM events division under the single brand of ETM (Event Travel Management). The etm directors continue to work in the business with a focus on capitalising upon the cross-selling opportunities.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
