Acendas Travel Acquires Edina Travel - O'Keeffe and O'Malley

Acendas Travel Acquires Edina Travel

Oct 03, 2016

Kansas City-based Acendas Travel has expanded with the acquisition of Edina Travel.

Led by Co-Presidents Brent Blake and Gary Davis, 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.

The move continues an expanding strategy of Acendas Travel, which began with the acquisition of Vanguard Travel in 2010. That was followed by folding in Gateway Express Travel (2012) and Interlachen Travel (2013). Edina Travel had been in business for 33 years prior to its purchase by Acendas. Owned by Bryce Baker, Edina Travel’s focus was primarily leisure/vacation travel, although the agency did manage some corporate accounts.

“Since we’ve been in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market, we’ve admired what Bryce and his team have done at Edina Travel,” said Acendas Director of Vacations Ellie Noyes. They had long been respected for their professionalism, expertise and service. It was a perfect fit culturally and strategically for us.”

Baker, who will join Acendas Travel as an independent consultant, noted that the timing of the move was appropriate for his company.

“The travel industry is changing at an increasing rate,” Baker noted. “I felt that to best serve my customers, I needed to find a place for them with someone who has an eye to the future and is focused on innovation. Acendas Travel has a sterling reputation and I have admired how they conduct business and treat their clientele. They are a testament as to why the use of agents is becoming more popular.”