M&A
The
Dealmaker
Steve Monnington of Mayfield Media
Strategies runs the rule over the latest
global exhibition deals
I
t’s been a while since we heard
from CloserStill Media in this
column but here it is with the
acquisition of two eCommerce
shows and two 1-2-1 eForums all
in Spain, acquired from E World.
This adds to the company’s
portfolio of eCommerce events
in the UK and Asia, which
started with the acquisition
of eCommerce Expo from
UBM, along with Technology
for Marketing, in 2017 which
was followed by the geo-clone
into Singapore. It also marks
CloserStill’s first move into Spain
and paves the way for a roll out
of their other technology brands
there.
Nineteen Events, which was
acquired by Phoenix Equity at
the end of 2018, has acquired
Broden Media, organiser of the
Emergency Services Show and
publisher of Emergency Services
Times magazine. Nineteen is
focused on security, health
and safety, fire, facilities and
disaster response events so this
fits perfectly into its existing
portfolio.
Malo Events – the CEO of
which, Bryan Cooney, founded
MCM Comic Con (bought by
Reed in 2017) – has acquired
The Digital Kids show from
Engage Media Solutions. The
show started life as a conference
12 — September
focussing on internet safety and
the bridging of the digital divide
between parents and children.
It will now be combined with
what was its main competitor,
Kidtropolis, and joins the rest
of Malo’s portfolio – Comic Con
Ireland and Summer in the City.
The German Messes have been
busy with three acquisitions and
collaborations between them
this month. Messe Düsseldorf
took over as organiser of Saw
Expo from Stuttgart based
Untitled Exhibitions. It will take
place every year alternating
between Düsseldorf where it
will be part of Tube Düsseldorf
and Friedrichshafen as a stand-
alone show. The show will
continue to partner with Stefan
Motte, founder and owner of the
“Sägebörse”, the world’s largest
specialist portal for sawing, and
owner of the name rights.
Nürnbergmesse went slightly
further afield to Greece to
become the first German Messe
to create a joint venture there
with the acquisition of 80 per
cent of Forum, the market
leading organiser with eight
shows in the food & drink,
hospitality and tourism sectors.
The acquisition is very strategic
for Nürnbergmesse given its
ownership of Biofach, Chillventa,
Fachpack and Braubeviale.
Messe Frankfurt stuck to
tried and tested India, acquiring
the Busworld India license
from Busworld International
CVBA. Messe Frankfurt now
has 50 trade fairs, conferences
and other events worldwide in
the automotive aftermarket,
transport and logistics sectors.
Busworld is the world’s leading
exhibition brand for the bus and
coach sector
Fiera Milano will acquire
60 per cent of MADE Eventi,
organiser of MADE expo, creating
a joint venture with the current
owner, Federlegno Arredo Eventi,
the events arm of Federlegno
Arredo (the association of wood
for the furniture, furnishing and
furnishing accessories sector).
MADE expo, which is already held
at the Fiera Milano exhibition
centre, is an architecture
and construction exhibition
compromising of MADE
Constructions and Materials,
MADE Building Envelope and
Windows, MADE Interiors and
Finishes, and MADE Software,
Technologies and Services.
Finally, to the sad news about
the passing of Andy Center.
Many positive words will have
been spoken about Andy before
this column appears in print
and I support everything I’ve
seen written about his amazing
contribution to our industry.
My main interaction with Andy
was across the negotiating table
on acquisitions and I can say
that he was probably the most
difficult person to negotiate with,
but at the same time the most
empathetic when dealing with the
entrepreneurs from whom he was
buying the business. It’s a cliché,
but he will genuinely be sorely
missed.