Hospitality Performance Network (HPN) and Meetings International announced today a joint venture that will result in a rebranding as HPN Global, making the new entity the world’s most global site selection and meeting procurement company.  The joint venture will take effect March 1, 2010 and the company will provide bespoke site selection and meeting planning services to corporate, association, and government clients worldwide.  HPN Global will be headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and provide coverage to clients in 45 countries through a team of seasoned and professional meeting planners. 

Bill Kilburg, Chairman & CEO of HPN stated, “We are creating a new industry leader – not one founded on being the largest company, but one focused on being the best. The meetings industry has changed dramatically over the last 18 months.  We recognize that future success will be driven by the depth of the relationship with the customer.  Our philosophy and user friendly systems make everyday processes more efficient allowing our associates to focus on the customer, which is a tremendous advantage over other more traditional site selection companies.  Meetings International embodies the same core values we do and is well respected in the industry.  The new combined company will be better suited to compete in the international marketplace and we couldn’t be more pleased to start offering global services to our clients in 2010.”

Ian Quartermaine, CEO of Meetings International, added, “Our new company is innovative, nimble and 100 percent client focused. Our history is deep in the international meetings industry. Prior to the formation of HPN Global, Meetings International spent 10 years developing an unrivaled team that lives and breathes site selection on a global basis. We understand the cultural needs from a local perspective. Our focus has always been on customer service delivery at the highest level. HPN has a culture and vision that we share. Our customers will appreciate the higher level of support we can now deliver. It is a brand new world and we have embraced the changing needs of the marketplace.”

Beginning March 1, 2010, HPN Global will offers its clients a customized and comprehensive approach to consolidating their meeting procurement needs; including site selection, contract negotiation, destination management, recreation, transportation, housing, registration, and production. 

The new combined company will benefit from a highly experienced management team. All four founding partners have extensive experience in hotel management, site selection, meeting procurement, sales and marketing, and finance.  HPN and Meetings International will continue to operate independently until the joint venture is final on March 1, 2010.