INDIANAPOLIS — Renfro Productions Inc. will take over the ownership and operation of the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show and the Cincinnati Golf Show as part of an acquisition deal announced last week with Hart Productions Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Renfro Productions is a family business that owns and operates several popular shows in Indianapolis. These include the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, which spans 700,000 square feet of the Indiana State Fairgrounds and is considered one of the largest consumer trade shows of its kind in the nation. Cincinnati-based Hart Productions, also a family enterprise, has owned and produced the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show for 62 years.
“We are excited and honored to take the reins of such long-standing and successful shows from the Hart family,” Kevin Renfro, president of Renfro Productions, said. “The Cincinnati shows are an excellent fit for Renfro Productions as they are long-standing and in the same industry.”
Chip Hart, CEO of Hart Productions, said the decision to transfer ownership of the shows was based on several reasons. “We firmly believe that with Renfro’s experience, talents, contacts, and ability to drive qualified attendees, the Cincinnati shows can grow well beyond their current range,” he said in a statement. “Renfro Productions was the perfect choice given their historical association with us and the industry. The phenomenal success of their similar event in Indianapolis and their Midwest knowledge of the business, industries and visitors made perfect sense.”
The Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show is scheduled for Jan. 17-19 and Jan. 22-26. The Cincinnati Golf Show is set for Jan. 17-19. Both will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Renfro said his company is looking to expand the boating and travel show going into the 2021 season.
“We plan to bring two other shows to run concurrently with the existing show for 2021,” he said. “Over the first weekend, we are planning a show specific to fishing and tackle. The second weekend will be hunting.”
In addition to the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Renfro Productions operates the Indianapolis Fall Boat & RV Show & Sale, the Indiana Motorcycle and Powersports Expo, and the Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo.
Reach Kevin Renfro at (765) 400-5002 or krenfro@renfroproductions.com.
