Wyndham Jade Buys Taptopia; Bonnier Acquires Deer & Turkey Expos
December 10, 2011
The mergers and acquisitions market has been anything but red hot for the past few years, but the first part of December saw not one, but two acquisitions.
Travel and event company Wyndham Jade bought Taptopia, a privately-held mobile software solutions company for the event industry.
Taptopia's solutions assist event organizers, convention centers and their related vendors to maximize the overall event experience for both attendees and exhibitors.
As part of the acquisition, members of Taptopia's founding team will take leadership positions at Wyndham Jade.
Bryan A. Scott, Taptopia's president and CEO, will provide strategic input, outline market direction and lead new corporate strategies as Wyndham Jade's chief strategy officer.
Iain Shigeoka, Taptopia's chief technology officer, will lead new product development initiatives as Wyndham Jade's vice president of product development.
"The acquisition of Taptopia is very much in line with Wyndham Jade's commitment to invest in new technology and continually evolve our ONEsystem+ technology to best meet the needs our clients,” said Sue Trizila, president and CEO of Wyndham Jade.
She added, “As an organization, we look forward to weaving Taptopia's technologies and their corporate philosophies into our portfolio of service offerings and corporate directives. For us, the acquisition of Taptopia marks the next generation of Wyndham Jade's story, building upon a strong foundation of customer longevity, passionate employees and continued financial strength.”
Bonnier Corporation also acquired four Deer & Turkey Expos held in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan from Target Communications Corporation.
The acquisition includes the Michigan Deer & Turkey Spectacular in Lansing, Mich.; the Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo in Columbus, Ohio; the Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic in Peoria, Ill., and the Wisconsin Deer & Turkey Expo in Madison, Wis.
These four events attract 65,000 hunters from 42 states.
“We’ are pleased to have our Deer & Turkey Expos in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois become a part of Bonnier’s outdoor operations,” said Glenn Helgeland, president of Target Communications.
He added, “This is a significant step upward in the maturation of such focused expos as a valuable element in marketing programs for outdoor products and services. We look forward to working with Bonnier in growing the expos’ marketing effectiveness and influence.”
Nick Curci, president of Corporate Solutions who managed the acquisition on behalf of Target Communications, said, “The acquisition of this business fits extremely well with the consumer magazine portfolio currently owned by Bonnier Corporation, especially Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, among its other related titles.”
Bonnier Corporation is one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America, with nearly 50 special interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events.
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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