Global live and digital brand experience agency, Sparks, has acquired leading trade show exhibit company 3D Exhibits. The acquisition of the Chicago-based company, which has additional locations in Cleveland, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and Milwaukee, allows Sparks to complete its Midwest expansion strategy while positioning itself for continued growth in new and current client channels.

“This acquisition significantly increases our trade show business and is consistent with our approach of viewing this challenging time as an opportunity for dynamic moves that might otherwise not have been possible,” explained Scott Tarte, CEO of Sparks, which produces live and virtual events, trade show exhibits, brand activations, retail environments and other immersive experiences. 

He continued, “The addition of 3D Exhibits advances our strategic goal of filling the middle of the country and emerging a stronger, more complete company than we were pre-pandemic. In 3D, we have acquired a terrific business, with exceptional employees and a proven leader in [CEO and owner Gene Faut]. The entire Sparks organization welcomes them to the family and looks forward to collaborating to build upon their impressive success. 

The terms and price tag of the deal, which closed Feb. 2, were not disclosed. However, 3D is without question a valuable commodity, reaching more than $120 million in 2019 pre-COVID sales, according to Sparks officials.

While the two companies work through long-term growth plans, 3D will retain its name in the marketplace, operating as “3D Exhibits, a Sparks company.” 

Company officials emphasized that 3D clients will reap the benefits of expanded creative and strategic resources, a large proprietary events division and increased geographic reach both domestically and internationally. 

Faut joins the Sparks executive team as president of the 3D Exhibits division and will hold a minority ownership position in the company.

“Our combined resources, global reach and talented personnel will provide immediate value to all of our customers,” Faut said. “While we are two different companies, we share similar philosophies, commitments and standards. Together these values will make the combined entity stronger as we ride out this storm and build towards the future.”

The addition of 3D Exhibits, along with the previous acquisition of Group Delphi in late 2020, marks a continuation of Sparks’ multiphase growth plan. The company now owns major fabrication facilities in Atlanta; Chicago; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Las Vegas and Philadelphia, eight sales and service offices across the U.S., and international offices in Paris and Shanghai.

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