CloserStill Media Acquires UK-based UKi Media & Events
August 17, 2023
Business events, exhibitions and conferences producer CloserStill Media has agreed to acquire UK-based UKi Media & Events, an events and media business specializing in the transportation sector. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The strategic move significantly expands CloserStill’s reach in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as lays the foundation for the company’s newly launched Future Transport and Infrastructure Group, representing an entirely new market segment for the company.
“We are very excited to welcome UKi Media & Events into the CloserStill Group,” said Yancy Weinrich, president of CloserStill North America. “The combination with UKi significantly expands CloserStill’s operations in the U.S., and we believe that uniting our collective strengths will enable us to unlock further new growth opportunities here in the U.S.”
Founded in 1991 by CEO Tony Robinson, UKi Media & Events operates specialist trade show, conference and media properties across the U.S., Europe and Asia serving the automotive, aerospace, marine, transport and infrastructure sectors.
UKi’s U.S. automotive industry portfolio includes Automotive Testing Expo and Automotive Interiors Expo in Novi, Mich., iVT Off-Highway Vehicle Technology Conference & Expo in Chicago; and ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo in Santa Clara, Calif. It also produces the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America in Long Beach, Calif. and Package Fulfillment, Logistics and Delivery Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Robinson will retain the helm of UKi Media & Events until the end of the year, after which he will assume his new role as chairman.
“CloserStill Media’s acquisition of UKI Media & Events is an exciting development for both organizations,” Robinson said. “CloserStill’s proven track record of high growth, coupled with their thoughtful commitment to quality and innovation, makes them the ideal custodians for our event and media brands and our exceptional team.”
He added, “I have full confidence in CloserStill’s ability to take UKi Media & Events’ achievements to new heights as they embark on this exciting new focus on future transport and infrastructure sectors.”
According to CloserStill Media CEO Gareth Bowhill, the strategic acquisition not only strengthens CloserStill’s size and geographical presence but also expands the company into a rapidly changing and innovative market.
“Future Transport and Infrastructure is experiencing significant disruption and innovation arising from digitization, regulation, automation and pressures to de-carbonize,” he said. “Such dynamics allows us to tap into the tremendous further potential and expertise within UKi Media & Events’ highly specialized portfolio together with their talented team.”
Specializing in high-value, content-driven events and building B2B or professional communities, CloserStill Media operates trade shows and events across a wide range of sub-vertical sectors within business technologies, healthcare and future transport and infrastructure across the U.S., Europe and Asia.
As one of the world’s fastest-growing exhibitions businesses with offices in the U.K., U.S., Germany, Spain and Singapore, CloserStill Media runs its event portfolios in major cities, including London and Birmingham, U.K.; Paris; Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne, Germany; Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Hong Kong and Singapore; and New York, Orlando, Austin, Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Chicago and Reno, Nev.
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