Emerald Expositions has invested approximately $28 million in cash to acquire four technology intelligence brands and the Total Tech Summit show from EH Media.
The acquired brands are CE Pro, Commercial Integrator (CI), Campus Safety and Security Sales and Integration (SSI).
These fast-growing, industry-leading brands are strategically aligned with Emerald’s CEDIA Expo and Connecting Point Marketing Group (CPMG) businesses. They also will help strengthen their design and construction portfolio, including shows like HD Expo (Hospitality Design), ICFF (formerly the International Contemporary Furniture Fair), the Healthcare Design Conference, GlobalShop and Expo, and Design and Construction Week.
Emerald Expositions CEO David Loechner said the acquisition, once fully integrated, will expand their relevance and growth profile in several key end markets.
“Smart” technology in homes, businesses, hospitals and schools is a booming industry, and these brands know how to integrate audio, video, communications, IT, security and energy products into all types of buildings. Plus, they have strong relationships with suppliers and integrators and have effectively developed digital revenue streams.
“We expect to leverage their skills and practices across the Emerald portfolio,” said Emerald Expositions Chief Financial Officer Philip Evans. “We will be able to expand show floor sessions and panel discussions at our shows, as the team we have acquired are the recognized authorities in the technology integration industry.”
The acquisition of EH Media’s brands is the latest move by Emerald Expositions to enhance the attendee experience and strengthen its shows. In January 2017, it acquired the CEDIA Expo platform from CEDIA, to establish a presence in the smart/connected residential and light commercial markets.
The company is now poised to bring technologists and specifiers together, Loechner said.
The newly acquired brands and CEDIA will have installations at Design and Construction Week, HD Expo and ICFF in 2019.
Members of the EH Media team, largely based near Boston, will join Emerald and report to Senior Vice President Brian Pagel, who oversees CEDIA Expo, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Kitchen & Bath Business, and National Pavement Expo.
EH Media Founder, President and CEO Ken Moyes said it was difficult to part with the people and brands, but they’re a perfect fit for Emerald, which has the people, resources and market positions to take them to the next level.
Emerald Expositions, the largest U.S. B2B trade show, event and conference producer by NSF, connected more than 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors in 2017 and occupied more than 6.9 million NSF of exhibition space.
Contact Philip Evans at (866) 339-4688 or Philip.Evans@emeraldexpo.com
