Avendra Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary
ROCKVILLE, MD, September 29, 2006. Avendra, the hospitality industry's largest procurement services company, celebrates its Fifth Anniversary this year. The company is holding a celebration for associates this week. Since its founding in 2001, Avendra has validated its vision of providing leveraged procurement for the hospitality industry, growing from $1.3 billion in annual customer spend in its first year to $2.3 billion today.
"Five years ago the concept behind Avendra was an unproven idea," said Dennis Baker, president and CEO of Avendra. "Originally founded by five companies -- ClubCorp USA, Inc., Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group and Marriott International - the goal was to form an independent business uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive sourcing and supply chain services to the hospitality industry."
"There was a lot of skepticism initially, particularly since we were starting up a new company that had to quickly ramp up to service and support thousands of customer locations and integrate hundreds of suppliers," noted Baker.
"Today we can look back and take pride in knowing that the concept works - and works well. We now offer customers 900 world-class suppliers and serve more than 4,500 customer locations in North American and the Caribbean," said Baker. "Our success has led us to expand our offering to other segments with similar needs, and we are very excited about the growth potential of Avendra in the future."
"The key to our success has been our talented people," added Baker. "The depth and breadth of expertise at Avendra is unmatched anywhere in the hospitality industry. Because associates keep the customer in the forefront of every decision that is made, we have been able to deliver solutions that create immediate impact on our customers' unique businesses. From contracting to technology to operational consulting, the wide range of services we provide to customers continues to deliver value to existing customers and new customers alike.
Today, operators can look to Avendra for a much broader solution. The company offers great buying power, but can also help customers determine specifications, track and understand buying behaviors and ensure quality and safety on behalf of the guest. Whether a customer operates restaurants, cruise line, or hotels, they can work through Avendra to optimize their supply chain and procurement operations.
Avendra was recognized with the Outsourcing Excellence Award 2005 (sponsored by the Everest Group and Forbes magazine), Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 (2005 and 2006), and Baseline ROI Leadership Award 2005. Further, this past year, Avendra was honored as a finalist in The 2006 American Business Awards for its response following Hurricane Katrina.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
