After a relatively quiet period, the global exhibitions market has heated up in the mergers and acquisitions sector, with Hospitality Management Group, UBM and Messe Frankfurt all recently making buys.

HX: The Hotel Experience, a trade event for the hospitality industry (formerly IHMRS), announced at the opening of its 2017 show, held Nov. 12-13 in New York City, that it has transitioned to full ownership under Hospitality Management Group (HMG), a division of ST Media Group.

HX previously was co-owned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), and the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association (NYSHTA).

The HMG acquisition also includes purchase of the 50-percent share of Boutique Design New York (BDNY) owned by AHLA, HANYC and NYSHTA, giving HMG full ownership.

BDNY was launched in 2010 as joint venture between HMG and the three associations.

ST Media Group President Tedd Swormstedt said, “As new owners, we see great opportunity to invest in the transition of HX from a stand-alone tradeshow to include year-round digital access and a full conference in conjunction with the tradeshow, both designed around thought leadership in the hotel and hospitality profession.”

He added, “We want to create a home for hotel professionals, a vibrant community where owners, GM’s, their teams, and suppliers can learn, network, and enhance their leadership skills to grow their organizations.”

UBM also made a recent acquisition with THE Aesthetic Show and its associated media properties from U.S.-based media and events company Medical Insight.

By combining UBM Medica’s comprehensive portfolio of medical publications, such as Dermatology Times and Cosmetic Surgery Times, with The Aesthetic Show, UBM is creating an all-encompassing, holistic experience for the aesthetics market.

The Aesthetic Show is an annual, multi-disciplinary medical exhibition and conference focused on the rapidly expanding field of aesthetic medicine.

This event offers continuing medical education and training to physicians and medical professionals that specifically addresses the latest minimally invasive to non-invasive procedures and technologies.

In addition to The Aesthetic Show, UBM has acquired THE Aesthetic Guide, which is the provides print and digital content to the aesthetic medical community, and The Aesthetic Academy, training events for healthcare providers.

“As an events-led business, it’s truly exciting to be able to add another event to our Life Sciences portfolio, and strategically tie the UBM Medica media properties to a fast-growing trade event,” said Scott Schulman, CEO, UBM Americas.

He added, “The synergies between the two businesses will create great opportunities for growth. What is particularly exciting about this acquisition is that The Aesthetic Show increases UBM’s depth and breadth in the growing aesthetic market and will truly elevate our customers’ experience to a new level.”

Michael Moretti, CEO, Group Publisher & Editor, Medical Insight, added, “After 25 years of growing and developing these world-class events and powerful media platform, I think this is a truly exciting opportunity for The Aesthetic Show and its associated media properties to capitalize on the $9.5 billion B2B medical aesthetic market. Partnering with the world’s leading B2B events organizer coupled with UBM’s extensive skincare focused media portfolio will help take The Aesthetic Show to the next level.”

UBM also has acquired MIREC (Mexico International Renewable Energy Congress) and AIREC (Argentinian International Renewable Energy Congress) from U.K-.based  Green Power Global.

Through this acquisition, UBM expands its presence in Latin America, launching its first event in Argentina, and further strengthens UBM’s events portfolio in the renewable energy sector.

MIREC, Mexico’s largest clean energy event, runs annually and now is in its seventh year.

Known for connecting international equipment and service solution providers with power generation developers, MIREC is considered the “must-attend event” for wind and solar farm developers, corporate and industrial consumers of electricity, utilities, government and service providers. 

The 2018 edition of MIREC will take place May 21-25 in Mexico City.

AIREC, Argentina's leading annual clean energy congress and exhibition is now in its third year. At the forefront of Argentina’s renewable energy revolution, the event’s content covers the new regulatory environment in great detail and provides in-depth insight into legal and financing complexities.  The 2018 edition of AIREC will take place October 22-25 in Buenos Aires.

“What is particularly exciting about the acquisition of MIREC and AIREC is that, in addition to building UBM’s presence in Latin America including our first event in Argentina, it helps establish the company in a space with so much promise—renewable energy,” Schulman said. “UBM is strengthening its commitment to the future of renewable energy and is focused on developing a global portfolio of events that serves and stimulates this exciting sector.”

Jaime Salazar Figueroa, director general and managing director, UBM México added, “Renewable energy in Latin America is an attractive new vertical for UBM Americas and we are excited to add the largest renewables events in Mexico and Argentina to our portfolio. AIREC and MIREC are highly complementary to UBM’s existing presence in renewable and energy-related markets, which currently includes the Renewable Energy India Expo, The Battery Show USA, which UBM acquired last year, and our renewable energy event series in Southeast Asia.”

Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, Greater China’s headquarters of trade fair organiser Messe Frankfurt GmbH has acquired a major proportion of Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd, organiser of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR) in Beijing.

The agreement of the acquisition was signed Nov. 10 in Shanghai between Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd.

In the agreement, both parties accorded to form a new joint venture company named Messe Frankfurt Traders-Link (Beijing) Co Ltd, in which Messe Frankfurt will hold the majority interest.

This acquisition also is strongly supported by industry associations: the China Automotive Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (CAMEIA) and the China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (CAMRA), who are also the co-organisers of Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR).

The company has an extensive network and expertise in mobility and logistics sector, including the renowned Automechanika brand with 17 shows in 15 countries and 16 other automotive events worldwide.

The acquisition will allow Messe Frankfurt to enrich its maintenance and repair sector within its mobility portfolio, as well as its market share in Asia.

Stephan Buurma, member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt Group, said, “The Automechanika brand shows in Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and New Delhi, as well as the CAPAS show in Chengdu, together cover all areas of the value chain to serve the flourishing aftermarket sector in Asia and in China in particular. The next step is to strengthen our presence in each of the industry’s sectors.”

“Being the biggest automobile market in the world, China’s repair and maintenance market is growing eminently. This new acquisition provides fast access for our key customers in the automotive field to penetrate this booming market,” Buurma added.

The show covers every aspect of the auto maintenance and repair sector including garage equipment, testing & diagnostic equipment and tools, coating, collision repair, car care and car wash, chain stores, training and software.

The broad product spectrum attracts trade visitors such as 4S shops, car care shops, car manufacturers, chain stores, distributors & wholesalers, test stations, transportation companies, tyre shops and workshops to source and look for business opportunities every year.

Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo 2018 (AMR 2018) will be April 1-4 at the New China International Exhibition Centre (NCIEC).