McCord Travel Expands

<B> McCord Travel Expands</B>

By Sarah Welt


Chicago-based McCord Travel Management earlier this month acquired Premier Travel of San Francisco to bolster its presence in the Northern California market and boost McCord's projected 1999 sales by an additional $50 million, to nearly $800 million.

The acquisition of Premier falls in line with the growth strategy McCord announced last fall, which included expanding in at least five new business markets by the end of 1999. McCord recently opened offices in Dallas and Boston and plans to expand in Houston and Washington, D.C., as well as several other cities.

McCord president and CEO Bruce Black said the company plans to enter the top nine U.S. cities. It is "looking for good agencies run by a senior person who will stay and give continuity in that marketplace," he said.

Premier Travel CEO Nancy Atkinson will become regional vice president for Northern California and will report to Carol Dunn, president of entertainment in the Western region. Premier's other two partners will stay on through the transition, while all other Premier management will stay in San Francisco. McCord's current San Francisco staff will move to Premier's main office.