Viad’s 3Q Revenues Increase 36 Percent; GES’ U.S. Revenues Up 39 Percent

November 2, 2014

The third quarter was a good one in more ways than one for Phoenix-based Viad, as well as its divisions, including Global Experience Specialists in the U.S. and overseas.

Overall 3Q revenues for Viad were up 36.2 percent to nearly $300 million, compared with the same quarter in 2013, with GES in the U.S. scoring a 39.5 percent revenue increase to $168 million, and overseas the company pulled in a whopping 59 percent uptick to $64 million, compared with the same quarters in 2013.

Viad’s Travel and Recreation also saw a nearly 15 percent 3Q revenue increase to $73 million, compared with the same quarter last year.

Viad’s income before other items was $20.8 million, which nearly doubled, compared with $10.9 million during the same quarter in 2013.

“Both of our business groups delivered significant year-on-year growth with results that were in line with our prior guidance,” said Paul B. Dykstra, Viad’s president and CEO.

He added, “Our strong third quarter results reflect the benefit of positive show rotation, continued same-show growth and better than anticipated visitation to our new Glacier Skywalk attraction. The acquisitions of the West Glacier Motel & Cabins, the Apgar Village Lodge and related assets, and Blitz Communications also added to our revenues and profits during the quarter.”

The U.S. Marketing & Events Group’s revenue increase, which includes GES, primarily was driven by positive show rotation of approximately $34 million in revenue, a 3.4 percent increase in base same-show revenue and new business wins.

The international segment of the same group saw revenues increase just shy of $24 million, which also was driven by positive show rotation of approximately $14 million in revenue and new business wins.

The wins in both the U.S. and overseas that had a positive impact were the Mary Kay Seminar, SIBOS and Commonwealth Games in Scotland, according to GES’ president Steve Moster.

He added that some of the U.S. and international shows that rotated in and also had a positive impact were IMTS, SIBOS and Farnborough Air Show.

Also in the third quarter, Viad bought U.K.-based Blitz Communications, an audio visual (AV) services provider for the live events industry in the U.K. and continental Europe.

Boosting their portfolio even more, in the first month of the fourth quarter Viad made a double buy, scooping up housing services companies onPeak and Travel Planners.

Moster said of all the acquisitions’ impact on revenues; “Since we purchased Blitz Communications toward the end of the third quarter, the impact to revenues was nominal. For the fourth quarter, Blitz, onPeak and Travel Planners, are expected to add approximately $20 million in revenue.”

He added of the onPeak and Travel Planners recent buy, “The additions of Travel Planners and onPeak immediately launched GES as a leader in the event housing market and creates an opportunity to simplify the customer experience by dealing with one company across multiple offerings.”

As far as what’s on tap strategically for 2015, Moster said, “We are focused on our growth strategy, the margins of our core business and integrating Blitz and onPeak into GES.”

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Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.