As the trade show industry continues its pointed focus on recovery, event organizations are once again making acquisitions, establishing new partnerships and extending existing agreements in preparation for a robust return to face-to-face events. Here’s just a sampling of some of the new business deals that have been happening across the industry since the start of the summer. 

HMP Global Acquires Executive Senior Living Conference & Expo

HMP Global, the world’s largest healthcare event and education company, has acquired the Senior Living Executive Conference & Expo from Argentum, a leading national association supporting companies that operate professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities, and that represents approximately 75 percent of the industry.

Recognized as the industry’s premier networking and educational event, nearly 3,000 executives from 750 companies representing for-profit and nonprofit assisted living, memory care, independent living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), private equity, capital providers, industry suppliers, media and academia attend the annual gathering.

The two organizations also announced a multi-year partnership to guide the meeting’s strategic direction and program development. The event, which recently ran Sept. 13-15 at the Phoenix Convention Center, will remain the official meeting of Argentum.

Levy Teams Up with Metro

Levy has been tapped to serve as the exclusive new dining and hospitality partner for Metro Visitor Venues in Portland, Ore. Levy will collaborate with Metro to create and oversee all aspects of food and beverage at Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts venues and Oregon Zoo, including on-site restaurants, cafés and concessions, catering for private and social events, and pre-event and intermission food and beverage service at performances.

Through this collaboration, the duo will aim to provide guests with the very best of Portland represented through local chefs, cuisine showcasing diverse cultures, locally sourced ingredients and sustainable produce from nearby farms. Metro and Levy officials say they are committed to creating business opportunities throughout the region by partnering with local small businesses and working closely with community groups to deliver the best hospitality guest experience.  

Levy serves as hospitality partner for various venues in the Pacific Northwest, including Moda Center, Providence Park, Lumen Field and Woodland Park Zoo, as well as leading U.S. convention facilities, including Javits Center in New York City, Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and Los Angeles Convention Center.

CompuSystems Extends Contracts with SEMA, ACA and MEMA 

Full-service registration provider CompuSystems signed multi-year renewal deals with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the Auto Care Association (ACA) and the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association(MEMA). 

CompuSystems will provide registration, data analytics and lead retrieval for The SEMA Show and ACA’s /MEMA’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), which together form one of the largest U.S. trade show gatherings for the auto enthusiast and auto care industry, respectively. The next SEMA show is set to take place Nov. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with AAPEX scheduled for Nov. 2-4 at The Venetian Expo and CAESARS FORUM.  

“Announcing client renewals is very important to us, as it demonstrates our commitment to our partnerships,” said CompuSystems COO Mark LoGiurato. “We are happy to extend these longstanding relationships by continuing to provide our first-class service and professionalism, as we do for all of our clients.”

Edlen Partners with GWCCA

Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, the U.S. trade show, convention and special event industry’s largest independent electrical contractor, formed an exclusive utility partnership with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to be its exclusive provider of utility services, including electrical, plumbing, compressed air and cable.

Edlen Assistant General Manager Shawna Moore, who served as assistant general manager of Edlen’s Mandalay Bay office and has serviced some of the largest trade shows in the country, moved to Atlanta to assist with the transition and lead the team. 

“Edlen is honored to partner with our friends at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority,” said Jim Wetterling, Edlen president and CEO. “We look forward to a long and mutually successful relationship.”

Founded in 1975, Edlen is a national company based out of Las Vegas that services more than 5,000 events annually and provides exclusive, preferred or recommended services in over 200 convention facilities nationwide. 

Massachusetts Dental Society Renews Contract with CDS

Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) renewed its more than 15-year partnership with Convention Data Services (CDS) for two years through 2023. CDS will provide registration, lead management, CE survey and certificate application and data analytics for the association’s Yankee Dental Congress, New England’s largest and the country’s fourth-largest dental meeting that attracts more than 25,000 dental professionals from across the U.S.

According to David Lawton, CDS chief sales officer, the CDS teams will continue to provide innovative and flexible registration solutions to enhance the on-site experience at the Yankee Dental Congress, set for Jan. 27-29 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

“This past year has been particularly challenging, but no matter what obstacles we encountered, CDS worked tirelessly with us to come up with a solution,” said Alisa Ufland, MDS director of marketing. “I wish all of our partners were as accommodating and easy to work with. I look forward to our continued partnership.” 

Have a new business deal announcement to share? Reach out to lpsavas@tsnn.com.

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