TRADE SHOW
Trade Show Producer Nielsen Expositions Sold
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.–based Nielsen Expositions, the producer of the prominent Outdoor Retailer trade show, was acquired by Onex Corp. for $950 million.
The Toronto-based Onex is a private-equity fund that manages $15 billion in assets. Its ownership will help the trade show company expand, said David Loechner, president of Nielsen Expositions, whose company announced the acquisition on May 6.
“We look forward to working with Onex to execute our strategic plan and to continue to grow the business to better serve the exhibitors and attendees who participate in our events, all the while providing a seamless, business-as-usual transition for our clients and associates,” Loechner said in a statement.
Nielsen Expositions produces 65 trade shows and conferences for businesses in the sports, hospitality, building, jewelry, military and apparel industries.
Outdoor Retailer attracts action-sports vendors and retailers to its biannual event, which is scheduled to run July 31–Aug. 3 and, again, Jan. 22–25, 2014, in Salt Lake City.
Nielsen made waves in 2010 when it shuttered the prominent Action Sports Retailer trade show in San Diego. For 29 years, ASR had been a popular show for surfwear and skatewear labels. Nielsen said it closed the show because of declining attendance.
According to a company statement, 240 employees work for Nielsen Expositions. In 2012, it generated revenues of approximately $183 million.>
