Travel Technology Group & Ambassadors Merge to Form the Most Experienced Partner in Event Housing

Aug. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- CHICAGO, IL and ATLANTA, GA - Travel Technology Group, LLC (TTG) and Ambassadors (AMB), both industry-known for their event housing expertise and tenure in the meetings and conventions world, today announced a merger that forms the most experienced event housing management power house with 50 years of combined experience.

While undergoing a strategic rebranding initiative, the new company will be referred to as TTG|AMB. The new brand identity for the merged organization will be unveiled by end of the year. TTG|AMB continues to offer expertise in the market as well as its existing suite of event housing services and products. The new company's first-class offerings include:

•Bargaining power with event hotels and hotel chains
•Maximizing room blocks
•Alleviating attrition risk
•Tailored event marketing programs
•Personalized exhibitor housing services
•Comprehensive housing management system
•Full event participant "one-stop-shop" - all inclusive booking experience for hotel, flight, car and destination attractions & services

"Though Travel Technology Group and Ambassadors were competitors, we shared the same vision of redefining event housing management," explained Michael Howe, President of TTG|AMB. "This merger has brought the best of both companies together, and our strategy is to continue delivering outstanding customer service, a flexible event management system, and innovative solutions for event management."

With the merger comes a new leadership team consisting of executives from each company. Michael Howe assumes the role of President & Chief Financial Officer of TTG|AMB (previously Senior Vice President & CFO of TTG), Bob Derham, Co-founder & Managing Director of TTG, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Board. Speaking to the leadership change, Bob Derham commented, "Michael has had outstanding success in prioritizing initiatives and executing them in a way that continually propels this company forward. We are extremely confident in Michael's abilities to lead our team on a trajectory of excellence."

Additional appointments of TTG|AMB include other key members of the TTG and AMB executive teams: Tim Whorton assumes the role of TTG|AMB Managing Director & Executive Vice President, Sales & New Business Development; Todd Lambert as Chief Operations Officer; Scott Tallarida as Executive Vice President & Chief Technical Officer; Jennifer Kimball as Senior Vice President, Operations; Rose Dubrovich as Senior Vice President, Sales & New Business Development; Dahlia El Gazzar as Vice President, Marketing.

TTG|AMB is rapidly moving forward with business integration, implementing proven business practices from both the Chicago and Atlanta teams. Going forward, all events will be managed within a single event management system that continually leads the industry with new features and enhancements to greatly benefit all stakeholders of each event: planners, event participants, and event hotels.

TTG|AMB serves various event organizers such as Convention & Visitors Bureaus, tradeshow organizers, and event planners including: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, Penton Media, True Value, The PGA of America, American Urology Association, Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society, National Restaurant Association, International Housewares Association, and RAI Amsterdam International.

The merger is a result of Lakeview Equity Partners, LLC, a Milwaukee-based private equity fund, acquiring the event housing and registration assets of Ambassadors, the Atlanta-based meetings, housing and event management provider on April 17, 2009. With this transaction, Lakeview became the majority shareholder of both AMB and TTG, recognizing the potential growth of the merger of both companies.

Contact
Dahlia El Gazzar, CMP
Vice President, Marketing
TTG|AMB
E. delgazzar@ttgonline.com
D. 312.527.7342

About TTG|AMB President, Michael Howe

Prior to his tenure with Travel Technology Group, Howe lived in London, England for 11 years where he worked in senior finance and accounting roles for both ValueClick Europe, Ltd., a NASDAQ quoted company, and McDonald's Corporation. His professionalism and credentials are highly regarded by those who have interacted with him. Having begun his TTG career as Financial Controller, Howe soon became integrally involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, and was promoted to Senior Vice President & CFO in 2008.

About Travel Technology Group, LLC

Travel Technology Group provides the events industry with strategic, creative and effective solutions. Hotel contract negotiations, room block management, audits, custom reports and event marketing are delivered by a personable, professional and passionate team.

About Ambassadors

Ambassadors, LLC provides travel and event services for corporations, associations and tradeshows. For its nationwide roster of corporate clients, the company provides comprehensive hotel reservation, registration, travel services and technology for meetings, conventions and tradeshows.

About Lakeview Equity Partners, LLC

Lakeview Equity Partners, LLC, is a $40 million-plus private equity fund that focuses on investments in traditional, Midwest-based, middle market companies valued from $3 million to $50 million. Lakeview Equity makes investments in transactions that support ownership change; provide capital for growth; and create ownership change opportunities for managers and employees. The firm's principals have more than a century of collective experience as successful entrepreneurs, chief executive officers and investors, with a broad base of financial, transactional and operating experience. Lakeview Equity's mission is to identify and invest in strong, well-managed middle market companies to achieve continued growth and profitability.

Copyright © 2009 Travel Technology Group, LLC | 110 W Hubbard St | Chicago, IL 60654 | USA
+1 312 527 7270 | 800 388 8856 | traveltechnologygroup.com

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TTG provides the events industry with strategic, creative and effective solutions. Hotel contract negotiations, room block management, audits, custom reports and event marketing delivered by a personable, professional and passionate team.