Press Release
March 18, 2026
Carlson Wagonlit Travel to acquire Maritz Travel Company's U.S.
corporate travel subsidiary
New corporate travel organization to blend strengths for greater customer value and satisfaction
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), a global leader in corporate travel
management, and Maritz Travel Company, a global leader in meeting,
event and incentive travel management, today announced that they
entered into a definitive agreement for CWT to purchase Maritz'
U.S. corporate travel subsidiary (MCT), which has operated under
the brand name TQ3 Travel Solutions for the past three years.
Completion of the purchase is subject to customary conditions
including regulatory approval.
"Through this transaction, CWT continues to demonstrate our
commitment to taking a lead role during this period of industry
consolidation," stated Hervé Gourio, president and
chief executive officer, CWT Worldwide. "The combination
of these two trusted travel providers offers customers the best
in value and satisfaction - locally, regionally and globally."
The acquisition further solidifies CWT's position as the second
largest travel management company in the world and the largest
wholly-owned global corporate travel network.
This transaction does not include Maritz Travel Company's meeting,
event and incentive group travel business, which still remains
central to Maritz Inc.'s corporate strategy - helping organizations
achieve their strategic goals. "We will serve customers best
through a strategic focus on performance management services,
which includes group travel," said Steve Maritz, chairman
and chief executive officer of Maritz Inc. "I believe this
sale will lead to better results for our customers as we sharpen
our focus on those services that directly support their business
goals. At the same time, clients of our corporate travel subsidiary
will experience more value by merging with a company that is focusing
its growth in this market."
CWT and MCT plan to integrate North American leadership, staff,
operations and technology to provide customers with a broader
range of products and services at competitive prices. "The
combination of exceptional people, innovative technology and shared
learning will yield unprecedented value for our combined clients,"
stated Robin Schleien, president, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, North
America, who noted the two companies share similar philosophies
around technology and culture.
CWT serves clients in 140 countries throughout the world, with
a collective annual air volume of $10.5 billion. MCT, based in
St. Louis, Missouri, handles client business worth an annual air
volume of $1 billion in the U.S. Each company uses unique agent
interfaces and travel service platforms that the combined company
will leverage to benefit its expanded client base and provide
optimal customer value and service.
Jack O'Neill, president and chief executive officer of MCT, has
been named executive vice president & chief operating officer
for CWT, effective upon the completion of the transaction. "Maritz
Corporate Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel share a mutual commitment
to deliver exceptional service, value, and satisfaction,"
said O'Neill. "This new organization will present exciting
opportunities for our clients, employees and suppliers."
CWT and MCT enter the agreement as financially strong and profitable
entities with a diverse portfolio of clients. Both organizations
have built exceptional client loyalty as indicated by high retention
and satisfaction rates. In addition, their parent companies share
a best-in-class human resources rating as acknowledged by Fortune
magazine and the St. Louis Business Journal.
About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel is a world leader in business travel management.
Today, the Carlson Wagonlit Travel group, resulting from the merger
of the Carlson and Wagonlit business travel activities, has locations
in more than 140 countries and generates over $10.5 billion in
annual sales. Carlson Wagonlit Travel is co-owned by Paris-based
Accor group and Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies. For more
information, visit www.carlsonwagonlit.com.
Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest
groups in travel, tourism and corporate services. With 150,000
associates in 140 countries, Accor has two major international
activities: ownership of nearly 4,000 hotels with more than 450,000
rooms; and provision of services to corporate clients and public
institutions. Carlson Companies is a global leader in the marketing,
travel, and hospitality industries. Among the names in the Carlson
family of brands and services are various hotels and restaurants;
Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, which includes its corporate travel
interests as well as Carlson Leisure Group; and Carlson Marketing
Group®, the world leader in Relationship Marketing.
About Maritz Travel Company
Maritz Travel Company is the world leader in meetings, events
and incentive travel management. A unit of Maritz Inc., Maritz
Travel designs programs that make memorable experiences leading
to measurable business results. Maritz Travel organizes and executes
more than 2,000 programs for over 400,000 guests annually, with
a consistent satisfaction rating of 9.4 out of 10. In November
2001, Maritz increased its diversification of new products and
services by leveraging the strengths of McGettigan Partners, and
therefore helping customers save money by managing meetings more
effectively. Maritz Travel Company's corporate travel subsidiary
is the quality provider of innovative, end-to-end travel expense
management to companies worldwide.
Based in St. Louis, Maritz Inc. provides market and customer
research, communications, learning solutions, incentive initiatives,
meetings and event management, awards and recognition, travel
management services, and customer loyalty programs. Maritz has
key offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,
France, Spain and Germany. For more information, visit www.maritz.com.
Kontakt bei Carlson Wagonlit Travel
(Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz):
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Martina Eggler
Tel.: 06196-939-742
Fax: 06196-939-764
E-Mail:
Pressestelle Deutschland, Österreich und Schweiz:
a² - Cynthia Ahrens
Tel. 0611-8420-925
Fax 0611-8420-928
E-Mail:
Kontakt Maritz:
Beth Rusert, Maritz Inc.
Tel.: 001-636-827-2949
E-Mail: