As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of iSeatz, we reflect on our journey from a small startup in New Orleans to a leading technology company in the travel industry. Founded on August 1, 1999, by Kenneth Purcell, iSeatz has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, driving brand loyalty through exceptional, connected experiences. Join us as we take a look back at the major milestones that have defined our path over the past quarter-century.
The inception of iSeatz was driven by a simple yet powerful idea: to automate the restaurant reservation process for hotel concierges. Kenneth Purcell, who was working for Where Magazine at the time, observed the inefficiencies at concierge stands and envisioned a digital solution. Leveraging his background in technology and his experience in the restaurant industry, Purcell developed the first version of what would become iSeatz.
In the late 90s, the Internet was still a novel concept for many businesses. Convincing restaurateurs to adopt a web-based Table Management System was a significant challenge. Despite the skepticism, iSeatz successfully built and deployed this system, laying the foundation for future innovations.
By 2003, iSeatz had broadened its scope beyond restaurant reservations to include tours and activities. This expansion was a natural progression, driven by the same technology that powered restaurant bookings. The company began contracting with suppliers worldwide to offer a variety of pre-sale activities, integrating them into a comprehensive inventory management tool distributed through an API.
The pivotal moment came in 2005 when iSeatz started collaborating with airlines. The company pitched the idea of selling third-party ancillary products on airline websites, emulating the success seen with OTAs (Online Travel Agencies). In 2007, Delta launched the first in-path cross-sell of third-party ancillary products, marking a significant milestone in the industry.
iSeatz continued to innovate with the launch of the Z1 SaaS platform in 2008. This platform provided a seamless booking experience for hotel, car rental, and tour activities. The evolution of this platform into Z2 in 2011 enabled significant customization for brand-driven experiences, solidifying iSeatz's reputation as a technology leader.
In 2012, iSeatz partnered with American Express Travel, rapidly growing to become the 6th largest global travel distributor. This collaboration showcased iSeatz's ability to handle large-scale implementations and deliver exceptional value to its clients.
The years following saw iSeatz diversifying its offerings and expanding into new markets. The launch of the IHG Hotels & Resorts Trip Extras platform in 2016 and the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ancillary platform in 2018 demonstrated iSeatz's commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for the hospitality industry.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed unprecedented challenges for the travel industry. However, iSeatz's diversified loyalty solutions provided critical engagement touchpoints during this period, underscoring the resilience and adaptability of the company.
As the world emerged from the pandemic, travel saw a resurgence in 2022. iSeatz powered a record-setting year, highlighting the renewed value consumers place on travel experiences. This period also saw the company doubling down on its mission to drive enduring brand loyalty through exceptional, connected experiences.
In 2023, iSeatz began developing its latest innovation, of our new platform. This end-to-end travel loyalty platform is designed to power highly configurable, branded experiences that build lasting connections and increase customer lifetime value. Our soon-to-be-released platform represents the culmination of 25 years of expertise and innovation, positioning iSeatz at the cutting edge of travel technology.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for the visionaries, partners, and clients who have been part of our journey. iSeatz's history is a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Get ready to see what is coming next for iSeatz. We are just getting started. Our future platform is not just a product but a reflection of our commitment to shaping the future of travel loyalty. By creating exceptional, connected experiences, we aim to foster deeper relationships between brands and their customers, driving long-term loyalty and value.
Here’s to the next 25 years of innovation, growth, and success!
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To learn more about our work with travel and financial services brands and their loyalty programs, contact us here.