SmithBucklin Acquires Chicago-based Incentive Travel Firm SDI

January 14, 2016

Association management company, SmithBucklin, acquired SDI, an incentive travel, strategic meetings and special events company based in Chicago.

The announcement was made by Matt Sanderson, president and CEO of SmithBucklin, and Scott Dillion, founder and president of SDI.

"Scott and his team have built a tremendous reputation for themselves and their company due to the successes they have driven for their clients, and we're excited to have SDI become part of the SmithBucklin story," Sanderson said.

The transaction enhances SmithBucklin’s growing corporate event planning portfolio, and brings to the company new, specialized talent in incentive travel, according to SmithBucklin officials.  

SDI will benefit by accessing SmithBucklin's partnerships in the hospitality industry, as well SmithBucklin's extensive talent base.

Retaining its well-known brand name, SDI will operate from SmithBucklin's Chicago office as a wholly owned subsidiary of SmithBucklin.

Dillion will continue as SDI's president, complementing SmithBucklin's Event and Education Services directed by Carol McGury, executive vice president.

"I have been a longtime fan of SmithBucklin's work, so I was thrilled that this opportunity presented itself," Dillion said.

He added, "Our companies' missions and cultures are very similar. Just as SmithBucklin always strives to do the right thing for each of its client organizations, SDI's commitment is to put our customers' needs first, last and always. And just as SmithBucklin values and takes care of its own people, I know this is the right move for our SDI team."

Founded in 1992, SDI offers strategically designed incentive travel meetings tailored to meet clients' goals and objectives. SDI consistently has been recognized as one of Corporate Meetings & Incentives Magazine's "CMI 25," a ranking of the top companies in the incentive travel and meetings industry.

"SDI's offerings are natural extensions of our event management services," McGury said. "Their energy, talent and client service commitment meshes perfectly with our SmithBucklin team."

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