Kansas City-based Acendas Travel has expanded its operations with the acquisition of Gwin’s Travel, which has offices in the St. Louis suburbs of Kirkwood, Mo., and Bethalto, Ill.

The deal is effective immediately.

While current Acendas Travel staff will assume various responsibilities after the purchase, Gwin’s will retain its name and remain as a stand-alone agency. Previous owner Rhonda Kaminski will retire, while the existing staff will stay on board.

“The move follows our strategy to grow in the Midwest by acquiring agencies with a track record of success and a culture which aligns with ours,” Acendas Travel President Brent Blake said. “We have long been familiar with Gwin’s and impressed with Rhonda Kaminski’s leadership. Gwin’s is a great fit and we are excited to have a larger presence in St. Louis and become involved with the community.”

Gwin’s was started in 1979 by Graydon and Terrie Gwin, and later sold to Kaminski in 2015. It is a full-service travel agency servicing corporate and leisure travelers. Kaminiski has been with Gwin’s since 1989.

“Our succession plan was focused on finding an agency that would continue to service our clients in the same professional manner that Gwin’s does,” Kaminski said. “We have accomplished that goal. Acendas Travel has long been successful, not only in terms of growth, but also because of the development and implementation of technologies that have made travel more efficient and cost-effective.”

Founded in Kansas City in 1982, Acendas Travel is an award-winning, nationally-rated top 50 travel management company with 35 years experience delivering industry-leading corporate travel solutions, full-service meeting/incentive support and customized vacation/leisure travel planning. In 2001, Acendas Travel became a joint venture with BCD Travel, the third largest purchaser of corporate travel in the United States. This allows Acendas and its clients access to leading technology, travel discounts and a variety of resources.

Acendas expanded to the Minneapolis market just under 10 years ago. From 2010 to 2016, Acendas Travel acquired four different agencies in the Twin Cities region. The company most recently established a presence in Sioux Falls, S.D., with the purchase of Travel Partners earlier this year in June.

To learn more, visit Acendas at www.acendas.com.