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Cendyn acquires Knowland to boost MICE bookings

Knowland’s platform provides market intelligence from 7,500+ U.S. hotels

Cendyn acquires Knowland to boost MICE bookings

CENDYN, A GLOBAL hospitality cloud technology company, recently acquired Knowland, a provider of data-as-a-service intelligence for meetings and events. The acquisition aims to enhance sales prospecting and boost bookings in the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector, Cendyn said in a statement.

Knowland’s platform provides market intelligence from more than 7,500 U.S. hotels and select international markets.


“To effectively sell group business, hoteliers need immediate access to data, and Knowland’s event intelligence platform is the market leader in this area,” said Jack Blaha, Cendyn’s CEO. “Its sales intelligence complements our sales CRM, helping hoteliers find their target audience. Using our Proposals and Grouprev platforms, hoteliers can complete the booking process. It’s a perfect fit with our commitment to helping hoteliers "Find, Book, and Grow" their business. With Haveli Investments’ expertise in technology joining our expansion, we’re poised for a bright future for Cendyn’s customers.”

Earlier this year, Cendyn added Austin-based Haveli Investments to its private equity portfolio alongside existing investors, the statement said. That acquisition integrated Knowland’s data with Cendyn’s sales CRM, Proposals and Grouprev platforms.

“Salespeople thrive on information, and for the past 20 years, Knowland has provided essential data to target new business and refine genuine leads,” said Jeff Bzdawka, Knowland’s CEO. “This new era furthers our commitment to improving hotel sales teams’ success and supports a proactive approach to group business.”

The U.S. Travel Association projects business travel will recover to 95 percent of its 2019 peak in 2024, the statement said. This acquisition allows Cendyn to offer a unified event intelligence and B2B prospecting solution, streamlining the sales process for more efficient management and successful outreach.

“We’re excited to partner with Cendyn, its leadership, and shareholders, including Accel-KKR, to capitalize on growth opportunities ahead,” said Ian Loring, Haveli Investments’ senior managing director and executive chair. “Cendyn’s broad portfolio positions it to capture market share, expand into new markets, and drive value for customers.”

In September, India-based Oravel Stays, parent company of OYO, agreed to purchase G6 Hospitality, franchiser of Motel 6 and Studio 6, for $525 million from Blackstone. Similarly, DirecTV is set to acquire Dish Network for $1 plus $9.75 billion in debt, pending regulatory approval."

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