Emerald Expositions Buys Another Show - RFID Journal LIVE!

November 16, 2016

Emerald Expositions has acquired its third show in the past several weeks - the RFID Journal LIVE! Event - from RFID Journal.

The company also bought National Pavement Expo from AC Business Media and Digital Dealer Conference & Expo from Dealer Communications.

RFID Journal LIVE! is the world’s largest event focused on radio frequency identification (RFID) and related technologies, bringing together buyers, sellers, researchers, academics, consultants and others interested in using RFID technologies to identify, track and manage assets and inventories.

The global market for RFID hardware, software and services is estimated at approximately $10 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow rapidly, particularly in retail applications, during the coming decade, according to Emerald officials.

The next RFID Journal LIVE! event is expected to draw 3,000 attendees from more than 60 countries to the Phoenix Convention Center in May 2017.

The event will feature more than 100 educational sessions, including seminars, keynotes, workshops and master classes, together with an expo floor showcasing approximately 200 exhibiting companies.

In addition to the main annual event, Emerald is acquiring several regional and vertical events, including RFID Journal Live! Europe.

RFID Journal founder and CEO, Mark Roberti, and several members of his current team, have joined Emerald as a consequence of the acquisition.

Roberti will report to Joe Randall, Emerald executive vice president.

“Mark is an industry icon and has built a great business over the last 15 years,” Randall said. “We are delighted that he and his team will be joining us and we expect that together we can accelerate the growth of the RFID Journal LIVE! brand and deliver even more value and support to the global RFID community.”

Roberti added, “RFID technology is increasingly used to track and identify objects, particularly in automotive, aerospace, defense, pharma, farming and retail markets. I am excited that with Emerald’s scale and events expertise behind us we will be able to expand the RFID Journal LIVE! events to meet the growing needs of the RFID industry worldwide.”

Corporate Solutions was the exclusive advisor to RFID Journal, LLC in arranging and negotiating this transaction. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact