Bass Hotels & Resorts has joined Marriott International Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corporation and ClubCorp USA Inc. in the launch of the newly named Avendra LLC. Avendra will be the largest Internet-enabled B2B hospitality procurement company in the world and it is poised to provide an $80 billion hospitality market with ready-made pathways to thousands of products and services. Together, the founders manage or franchise more than 5,500 properties worldwide.
We are delighted that a company with the stature and scope of Bass, with leading brands like Holiday Inn and Inter-Continental Hotels, is joining Avendra, said Dennis Baker, president and chief operating officer of Avendra LLC. Ravi Saligram, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Bass Hotels & Resorts, said, The alliance of these major companies provides critical mass that will help drive standardization, improve economies across the supply chain and offer better consumer value. We believe this will be of significant benefit for both our owned and managed hotels and franchisees.
In developing an identity for the new company, Marriott, Bass, Hyatt and ClubCorp focused on a concept that conveyed the combined strength of proven procurement and supplier relationships with an e-enabled B2B technology platform powered by GoCo-op, a leading Internet technology provider based near Orlando, Fla.
Says Baker: Extensive research involving current customers, new market segments, owners and managers led us to select the name Avendra as representing the aggressive and dynamic business goals of our new company. Avendra signifies the concept of offering customers and suppliers multiple avenues to successful, strategic vending and purchasing relationships.
Marriott, Bass, Hyatt and ClubCorp continue to migrate their procurement businesses to Avendra, which will be formally launched later this year. The company will be headquartered in Montgomery County, Md., just outside of Washington, D.C., with regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and other key markets. Avendra will have an initial staff of more than 100.
