PORTLAND, Maine — Diversified Communications acquired Aquaculture UK, a biennial show for the fish farming industry that is scheduled for May 19–21 at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort in Aviemore, Scotland.
The last edition of the show, held in May 2018, drew more than 2,400 visitors, who are managers and owners of fish farms in the UK and internationally, and 190 exhibitors. This year’s event is expected to attract 3,000 attendees and 200 exhibiting companies that supply fish-farming products, including enclosures, workboats, packaging and machinery.
“Aquaculture UK is an exciting development for our award-wining UK division as it continues to grow and strengthen its position as one of the most successful trade show organizers in the UK,” said Diversified’s President & CEO Ted Wirth. “They now employ over 120 staff who are experts at providing their customers with industry insights and business opportunities while facilitating innovation and economic sustainability within the industries they serve. I look forward to seeing their positive influence on this event and the aquatic industry.”
The acquisition bolsters Diversified’s international event and publishing portfolio for the aquatic industry. The portfolio includes multiple events — Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which will be held April 21-23 in Brussels; Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, which will be held March 15-17 in Boston; Seafood Expo Asia, which will be held Sept. 1-3 in Hong Kong; International Workboat Show, which will be held Dec. 15-17 in New Orleans, Pacific Marine Expo, which will be held in November in Seattle. Diversified publishes National Fisherman, Seafood Source, and Fish e-News, run by the Diversified U.S. division, and Ocean Business, run by the Diversified UK division.
“It’s great to be welcoming Aquaculture UK to Diversified Communications,” said Diversified UK’s Managing Director Carsten Holm. “We have been watching the growing success of the event and believe that its focus and subject matter complement our already substantial international presence in the sector extremely well. We also feel that the sense of community, customer focus, long-term vision and attention to detail, is very similar to how we approach our events.”
In 2015, 5M Publishing acquired Aquaculture UK from its founder David Mack. “Aquaculture UK’s success reflects the increasing importance and rapid growth of our industry, not just in the UK but internationally,” James Banfield, Managing Director of 5M. “We are delighted to hand over the reins to Diversified. I am confident that the new management can provide the support and structure needed to continue to grow Aquaculture UK in the years to come. It feels like the perfect home for the event and a natural development, which will ensure the show continues to fulfill its potential and role as the leading forum for the UK’s aquaculture industry.”
The 5M team will work with Diversified through the 2020 edition of Aquaculture UK. Then the event team will move to Diversified UK’s office in Brighton, with some of its current staff and some new recruits.
Reach Ted Wirth at (207) 842-5500 or twirth@divcom.com.
