Managing meeting spending has become a hot topic, and a surprise merger brings together two of the most visible companies providing technology to help companies source meetings sites, track spending, and enforce meeting policy. Santa Clara, Calif. — based OnVantage and Philadelphia-based StarCite will become one company under the StarCite name.

Customers will work under their OnVantage or StarCite contracts and technology solutions through December 2007. However, the new company will use the OnVantage technology platform moving forward. “But not without changes,” notes StarCite president and CEO Michael Boult, who says they will build upon OnVantage's core technology as the companies integrate. In addition to providing services to meeting organizers, both companies are in the business of driving meeting business to hotels with online marketing products, e-RFP tools, and other services.