News
Kidtropolis organiser
acquires The Digital
Kids Show
Malo Events, organiser of
Kidtropolis, Comic Con
Ireland and Summer in
The City, has added to its
portfolio of events with the
acquisition of The Digital
Kids Show from Engage
Media Solutions.
The acquisition will take
effect immediately with a
joint rebrand.
Bryan Cooney, CEO of
Malo Events and original
founder of MCM Comic
Con, said: “When the
opportunity came along to
bring these two amazing
brands and formats
together, it was a very easy
decision.”
Diversified
Communications to
launch Sustainability
in Retail Forum
Diversified
Communications has
announced the launch
of a new sustainability
conference for the retail
industry, taking place on 13
November and co-locating
with Nordic Organic
Food Fair and Eco Life
Scandinavia at Sweden’s
MalmöMässan. The event
will be aimed at senior
retail professionals and key
industry stakeholders in the
Nordic region.
Diversified’s UK MD
Carsten Holm said:
“The Sustainability in
Retail Forum will provide
delegates with knowledge
from industry thought-
leaders, as well as real-life
case studies designed to
help them achieve their
sustainability goals.”
08 — September
The month at a glance
The stories, topics and trends making headlines in recent weeks
UFI, the Global
Association for the
Exhibition Industry,
has released the
latest edition
of its flagship
Global Barometer
research. Some of
the key findings can
be found below:
• A weaker first half
of 2019 in terms
of revenue growth
compared to 2018,
but still an overall
positive trend for the
year.
• 80 per cent
of companies
maintained a good
level of performance
in 2018, and more
than 40 per cent of
companies from all
regions declared
an increase of more
than 10 per cent
compared to 2017.
• The top business
issue within the
industry remains
the ‘state of the
national/regional
economy’, selected
by 24 per cent of all
respondents.
• This was followed by
‘competition within
the industry’ and
‘global economic
developments’,
each selected by 19
per cent.
Four events businesses
merge to create Star Live
Events businesses Mobile
Promotions, BluePeg,
Star Events and Beautiful
Minds have joined forces
to create Star Live – a full-
service live event and brand
experience partner for the
industry.
The four businesses
were all acquired in the
last 18 months by industry
entrepreneur David
Walley. The founders will
all remain with the new
company as part of its
senior management team.
Star Live will now have
teams based throughout
the UK along with a
presence in Shanghai,
China, and will offer a
range of event products
and services including
stages and grandstands,
trailers and roadshows,
brand ambassadors
and crewing alongside
design and creative,
sponsorship management
and partnerships, event
production and brand
activation.
Walley commented: “This
is a logical and exciting step
for us. We have brought
together four market-
leading companies with
a clear vision; to be the
full-service live event and
brand experience partner
for all our clients. Our new
brand identity reflects our
heritage combined with
a contemporary mindset,
fully focussed on creating
world-class experiences
for our clients and their
audiences.”