Emerald Expositions continued to grow its portfolio even more with the acquisition of EH Media, which focuses on technology events and a group of complementary technology intelligence brands, for approximately $28 million.

“We are thrilled to welcome the EH Media team and their highly valuable brands and assets to Emerald. Ken Moyes has built an impressive group of interconnected, technology-oriented brands that are focused on the integration of audio, video, communications, IT, security and energy management products into buildings of all types,” said David Loechner, Emerald’s president and CEO.

He added, “This secular trend has been underway for several years and is only accelerating, which bodes well for the future.”

The acquired brands have grown in recent years, driven by increases in digital revenues, now representing approximately half of total revenues, as well as solid event revenue growth.

“Emerald is acquiring a great team and a well-positioned portfolio of events and brands that overlaps nicely with their current portfolio and also provides exposure to attractive adjacent markets,” said Ken Moyes, EH Media’s Founder, President and CEO.

He added, “While it is tough to part with people and brands that have been such an integral part of one’s life for decades, the business and cultural fit with Emerald is very strong and they have the people, resources and market positions to take these brands to the next level.”

The acquired brands are strategically aligned with Emerald’s CEDIA Expo and Connecting Point Marketing Group (CPMG) businesses, and include:

• Total Tech Summit: a premier hosted-buyer event serving the residential, commercial and security integrator markets;
• CEPro: a leading media brand for custom technology integrators in the residential market and the media partner of Emerald’s CEDIA Expo trade show;
• Commercial Integrator: a top information source for commercial technology integrators serving small and midsize businesses;
• Security Sales & Integration: a leading media brand for residential and commercial security installation contractors; and
• Campus Safety: a leading media brand serving security professionals responsible for schools and academic campuses with several events and intelligence products.

“… We see a tremendous opportunity to deliver continued strong organic growth in these businesses while also achieving synergies as we integrate these brands and assets into Emerald,” Loechner said.

He added, “We believe that this acquisition, once fully integrated, will not only strengthen our existing trade shows but also expand both their relevance and growth profile in several of our key end markets.”

Members of the EH Media team, largely based in Framingham, Mass., will join Emerald and report to Brian Pagel, senior vice president.

Pagel also is responsible for overseeing CEDIA Expo, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Kitchen & Bath Business, and National Pavement Expo.

“I am excited to welcome this experienced, industry-recognized, and entrepreneurial team to Emerald, where we can add momentum to the existing growth in their various events and leverage their content, digital capabilities and market positions to strengthen and expand Emerald’s portfolio of building and design-focused shows, particularly CEDIA Expo,” Pagel said.

He added, “We look forward to creating new events and revenue opportunities together across both portfolios.”

Berkery Noyes, an independent mid-market investment bank, was the exclusive financial advisor to EH Media in this transaction.