The “will they or won’t they” waiting is over … Nielsen Expositions has officially been purchased for $950 million by the Canadian equity firm Onex. Nielsen has a roster of 65 trade shows, with 10 of those being included on the TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list. Some of the industries Nielsen has served include: general merchandise, sports, hospitality and retail design, and photography.
Another major industry player, Reed Exhibitions, has acquired Mexico’s largest hardware and construction show, Expo Nacional Ferretera, which draws 80,000 attendees each year. It seems a logical addition to Reed’s show roster, considering they also own the National Hardware Show, held each year in Las Vegas.
Trade shows changing owners isn’t the only trend happening in the industry right now. The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) recently published their take on 10 trends and their impact in the world of meetings and conventions. Some of those trends include: incorporating elements of play, personalization, health & happiness, and mobile-friendly. But the two that especially stand out are multisensory elements and the influence of retail. Both of these have been featured in previous Strategies of the Month in the Exhibit Marketers Café, and will soon be available as a la carte Strategies. (Please contact me for details.) And in case you’d like to incorporate the health and wellness trend into your next event, Corporate Meetings Network has a list of 12 tips to get you started.
