Submitted by Kimberly Wilson Wetty, Valerie Wilson Travel

May 19, 2021: Frosch International Travel (FROSCH) acquired Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) on Friday, April 30, 2021. The acquisition joins two of travel's most respected families, the Wilson family and the Leibman family, and will reshape the landscape of full-service travel management companies and the travel industry. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Valerie Wilson Travel will operate as an independent brand under the FROSCH umbrella with continued leadership from its Founder, Chairman and CEO, Valerie Ann Wilson. Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty will remain as Co-Presidents of VWT; both will join the FROSCH Executive Team and assume senior leadership positions at FROSCH. Brian Buttigieg will be appointed VWT's COO effective immediately and join the FROSCH Executive Team as General Counsel. Patrick Fragale, Executive Vice President, VWT, will expand his leadership responsibilities at VWT.

Bryan Leibman, President & CEO of FROSCH said, "Bringing our two family businesses together creates a powerful alliance that expands our footprint in New York City and the tri-state area, solidifies us as a leader in the premium travel space and allows us to bring our innovative technology and unique global footprint to a growing client base. This transaction reaffirms our confidence in our industry’s recovery, our commitment to New York, and our unwavering dedication to providing the very best service and support to our clients, employees, and IC partners. I am delighted to welcome VWT and am confident that together we will achieve great success.”

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this September, VWT is a boutique powerhouse and one of the most respected brands in luxury travel. It is a proud member of Virtuoso, Ltd. and has been one of its most prominent global accounts since 1998. In conjunction with network bylaws, VWT plans to remain an influential member in this luxury travel network.

“I founded Valerie Wilson Travel to provide the personalized, luxury travel service I was personally seeking. I am very proud of the company we built together with Jennifer, Kimberly, Brian, and the entire VWT team. Knowing the VWT name and brand will not only remain but be strengthened as part of this transaction was vitally important to me. I am looking forward to growing these family brands together," said Valerie Ann Wilson.

Richard Leibman, Chairman of FROSCH, shared, "Valerie and I founded our companies based on similar core values, and I have the utmost respect for what she built. Like FROSCH, VWT’s reputation is stellar, and it is wonderful to see a successful continuity from one generation to the next. I am very proud of what our children – Bryan, Lara, Jennifer, Kimberly and Brian – have accomplished."

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg commented, "Bryan and I have developed a mutual respect and friendship over the years, and we both unequivocally have a deep commitment to family and a passion to leverage our entrepreneurial mindsets. This combination completely differentiates us from our competitors. We will now have the scale and scope to dominate in all sectors of luxury travel, with both a high-touch and a high-tech offering. We are excited to be the leading TMC for top ICs/Associates and to collectively rebuild travel as a viable career and maximize our combined resources, relationships, and infrastructure."

Kimberly Wilson Wetty added, "As travel begins to rebound, especially in luxury leisure travel, there is a renewed sense of optimism. Our two companies will be stronger together. The positive energy and mutual respect between the FROSCH and VWT teams is refreshing. The future possibilities are endless, and not only will we take this business to new heights together, but we will also have fun along the way."

Together, these two brands -- with family first cultures -- will deliver exceptional customer service to all clients; will offer the highest earning potential and benefits for all employees and ICs/Associates; and will be a substantial producer for all major travel partners including airlines, hotels, cruises, and tour companies.

About FROSCH
Founded in 1972 and co-headquartered in New York City and Houston, FROSCH is among the world's top 15 travel management companies, according to Travel Weekly. FROSCH provides premium travel services to clients of all sizes through a seamless global operations platform and innovative technology solutions that simplify and streamline the travel experience for business and leisure travelers. For more information, visit www.frosch.com.

About Valerie Wilson Travel
VWT, headquartered in New York, NY, was founded in 1981. VWT is an award-winning travel management firm that has grown into an industry leader with offices across the United States servicing Corporate, Leisure, and Meetings, Incentives & Fulfillment clients. All VWT locations are proud members of Virtuoso®. The agency is nationally certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and has been consistently named on the annual Travel Weekly Power List and Travel + Leisure A-List.
ValerieWilsonTravel.com

Pictured: The Frosh and Valerie Wilson Travel Executive teams

Photo courtesy Valerie Wilson Travel

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