PSAV Buys Canada-based AV, Live Event Company FMAV

October 29, 2018

U.S.-based audio-visual and live event company PSAV has acquired FMAV, an audio-visual and live event production company in Canada. 

The transaction broadens PSAV’s reach into another region, as well as expands its overall capabilities.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

FMAV CEO Bill Brown and his senior team will remain in place and continue to execute on their growth plans, now in partnership with PSAV.

“FMAV is an ideal addition to the PSAV group of companies due to its event production expertise and strong alignment to our purpose and mission,” said Mike McIlwain, CEO for PSAV. 

He added, “Bill is an exceptional leader who has built the FMAV business and team into an industry leader across Canada.  I am excited about what this means for PSAV, and more importantly our customers, as we continue to focus on more ways to create amazing event experiences in many different types of locations.

FMAV was founded more than 40 years ago and has won numerous industry awards, including multiple Canadian Special Events and ILEA awards. 

The FMAV team provides extensive creative production services for galas and special events, conferences and conventions, corporate meetings, outdoor events, and hotel venues. 

FMAV has more than 250 staff across Canada with offices from coast to coast, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

The company, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSAV, will continue to operate under the FMAV brand name. 

“We are certainly familiar with PSAV and its long-standing history as a leader in the event experience industry, not just in Canada, but across the globe,” Brown said.

He added, “The entire FMAV family is eager to be joining forces with PSAV and establishing more impactful ways of serving our collective customer base.”

Investment banking firm JEGI represented FMAV in the transaction.

In June 2018, PSAV was acquired by private equity and real estate funds affiliated with Blackstone from affiliates of Goldman Sachs and Olympus Partners.

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