Newton, MA – Questex Media Group Inc. has acquired the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference (IECSC) Las Vegas and Orlando and the Las Vegas Hair & Nail Conference from Cayucos, CA-based Show Management, Inc. The shows will be integrated into the Questex Beauty Group, which includes the American Spa Expo, International Beauty Show and several publications.
Questex was formed last year through its $185 million acquisition of the IT, travel, beauty and home entertainment portfolios from Advanstar Communications. Kerry Gumas, president and chief executive of Questex, is a former senior executive of Advanstar.
IECSC was launched in 1992 in Palm Springs and moved to Las Vegas two years later. The Orlando show was launched in 1998. The most recent Las Vegas show drew 45,000 attendees and featured 1,300 exhibitor booths. The co-located Hair & Nail Conference drew 400 exhibitors and 12,000 attendees.
The deal with Show Management, Inc. is the first U.S. acquisition for Questex since that time. Show Management founder Magda Fichter will serve on the Questex board as a consultant. Two other staff members are joining Questex in a full-time role. Fichter said she has no plans to produce other shows through Show Management, Inc. at this time.
Gumas said the acquisition is part of the company’s strategy to invest in markets where it already has a presence. “We’ve enjoyed success in this sector so we’re looking for additional opportunities,” he said.
Reach Kerry Gumas, president and chief executive of Questex at (617) 219-8320 or kgumas@questex.com.
