Emerald Expositions Expands Its Portfolio with American Craft Retailers Expo
December 14, 2016
Emerald Expositions is on a buying streak, snagging another show recently - the American Craft Retailers Expo (“ACRE”) from IndieMe.
“I’m so proud of how far we’ve come with the ACRE events, and what we’ve done to help all constituents within the Maker Movement,” said Nancy Vince, president of IndieMe and founder of ACRE.
She added, “The timing was right for IndieMe to focus on our online marketplace, while handing over the ACRE reins to a first-class event company that can help it grow and add value for all who exhibit and attend.”
This is the fourth recent acquisition for Emerald. They previously bought the RFID Journal LIVE! Event - from RFID Journal; National Pavement Expo from AC Business Media; and Digital Dealer Conference & Expo from Dealer Communications.
Founded in 2006, ACRE is a wholesale craft exposition, consisting of two shows that take place annually in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.
The events connect wholesale American and Canadian makers of handmade products with national and international buyers from art & fine craft galleries, modern gift & home stores, independent retailers, guilds & arts institutions, e-retailers, national retail chains, museums and other key influencers in the home, gift and lifestyle marketplace.
“We are delighted to bring ACRE into our portfolio of leading handmade and jewelry events, which include NY NOW and COUTURE,” said Chris McCabe, executive vice president at Emerald.
He added, “Nancy is a passionate supporter of the artisan community and she and her team have built a great business over the last ten years. By leveraging Emerald’s scale, capabilities and experience, plus our adjacent and highly complementary brands, we expect to bring new and greater benefits to the shows’ exhibitors and attendees.”
ACRE features hundreds of juried artists among six distinct showcases, with an emphasis on carefully selected emerging artists highlighted throughout.
Product categories primarily fall within the following areas of focus: Handmade Gifts & Accessories, The Gallery of Fine Crafts, Handmade Jewelry, High Design Jewelry, Handmade Wearable Art, and Retailer Resources.
ACRE Philadelphia will take place Feb. 18 –20 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event is expected to draw more than 2,000 wholesale attendees and 600 unique artists showcasing their fine art, gifts and jewelry in more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space.
ACRE Las Vegas, celebrating its 11th anniversary, will take place during Las Vegas Jewelry Week in early June. The show will be co-located at the Las Vegas Convention Center with Emerald’s Antique Jewelry & Watch Show and The Jewellery Box, a new curated event for high-quality, on-trend jewelry at affordable to moderate price points.
Emerald’s COUTURE show, for designer fine jewelry and luxury timepieces, takes place at the Wynn Las Vegas the same week, with free shuttle service for buyers between shows.
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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