STR Buys Meetings Specialist GMA

In the US, hotel research and data specialist STR has acquired Gerard Murphy & Associates (GMA), known for its METROPOLL and EUROPOLL market research studies on the meeting industries in both North America and Europe. Terms were not disclosed.

Kansas-based GMA launched METROPOLL in 1983 to offer a database of trend information which is used by city agencies and convention and visitor bureaus to benchmark and evaluate their marketing programs.

The most recent version of the firm's biennial study METROPOLL XIII, examines the impact of the economic downturn, changes in e-marketing and the implications of greening initiatives on meeting site selection.

STR clients include hotel operators, developers, financiers, analysts and suppliers to the hotel industry. With this acquisition, the firm says its existing specializations will be expanded, to provide data to serve the needs of cities and other municipal agencies.

'This type of information is more valuable than ever in the business climate of today,' states STR President, Mark Lomanno. 'Further, with the expanded information STR can provide, we will continue to represent a one-stop shop for data needs and interpretive services.'

As part of the deal, GMA will be operated by STR-owned full-service research firm RRC Associates, which provides a broad range of market research, land use planning, customer satisfaction, and media and communications research services.

GMA Principal Jerry Murphy comments: 'It is extremely gratifying to know that STR will carry on METROPOLL and other syndicated trend studies GMA has invested so much in during the past 25 years. I'm sure the integrity of these studies will be maintained, and their scope expanded to a new level.'

Web sites: www.str.com , www.rrcassoc.com and www.gmastudies.biz .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.