Emerald Expositions Acquires Swim Collective and Active Collective Trade Shows
August 12, 2016
Emerald Expositions scooped up a few more trade shows with the acquisition of the Swim Collective and Active Collective events from their founder Shannon Leggett.
“The Collective trade shows have grown strongly over the last few years under Shannon’s leadership, and we are excited that they will now join Emerald’s Specialty Sports and Apparel Group, which includes leading trade shows such as Surf Expo and Outdoor Retailer,” said Darrell Denny, executive vice president of Emerald Expositions.
He added, “The Collective shows are truly must-attend events and share many like qualities with our existing brands.”
Swim Collective, created in 2010 and now held seasonally twice a year, is the leading swimwear trade show on the West Coast.
Active Collective, launched in 2014 and also held twice a year, is recognized as the first activewear-only trade show and has built a national reputation for leading this fast-growing vertical category.
Both events are highly valued by retailers due to the curated selection of premium brands and for the opportunity they present to meet both established and up-and-coming new brands, according to show organizers.
“It is gratifying to see how critical the Collective shows have become to the swimwear and activewear markets,” said Shannon Leggett.
He added, “I am confident that Collective’s exhibiting brands and attending retailers will benefit from Emerald’s presence in overlapping and adjacent markets, and also from Emerald’s scale, resources, infrastructure and industry relationships.”
Denny added, “Bringing Collective events into Emerald will allow us to quickly leverage the strengths of all our shows to enhance each individual show and create new and better opportunities for brands and retailers to succeed.”
Swim Collective recently was held Aug. 8-9 in Huntington Beach, Calif., followed by Active Collective Aug. 11-12, also in Huntington Beach.
Just more than a week ago, Emerald also acquired The International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES), a gathering of wholesale souvenir, resort and gift buyers in the United States.
The team at Collective Trade Shows will join the Emerald organization. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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