The mergers and acquisitions market continues to tick away with new activity as two recent companies – Endeavor Business Media and Caribou Media Group - both made recent buys.

Caribou Media Group acquired two events and one publication from F+W Media.

The BLADE Show, now in its 37th year, is the largest knife event in North America.  It is held each year at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, draws 15,000 enthusiast attendees and sells 170,000 square feet of exhibit space to 800 exhibiting companies. 

The company recently launched a second annual BLADE event to be held the first time later this year in in Portland, Ore. 

BLADE Magazine has 28,000 subscribers to its monthly publication and is by far the leading publication serving the knife industry.

Corporate Solutions of Westport, Conn., was the exclusive advisor to F+W Media in this transaction.

In another deal, Endeavor Business Media scooped up nine hosted buyer events from Gallo Business Media.

These Hosted Buyer Events serve several industries including Transit Bus, School Bus, Trucking, Parks & Recreation, Fire Chiefs, Waste Haulers, Public Works and Jewelers. 

“Michael Gallo and his team have done a great job building a buyer conference model that is extremely valuable for both the sponsors and attendees,” said Chris Ferrell, Endeavor’s CEO.

He added, “We look forward to replicating the Gallo model for the benefit of our current advertisers and readers.”

“After more than two decades in the B2B events industry, it’s incredibly rewarding to have someone see the value in what we’ve created from scratch” said Michael Gallo, President of Gallo Business Media. “Our entire team is thrilled to be on the ground floor of what Chris is developing. In addition to seeing the value in our model, Chris understands the markets we’re in - which is a huge benefit to our customers and staff. I’m very much looking forward to helping Chris and Endeavor grow.”

Corporate Solutions was the exclusive advisor to Gallo Business Media in arranging, structuring and negotiating this transaction.

Corporate Solutions’ Nick Curci added: “The acquisition of these 9 hosted buyer events by Endeavor Business Media offers the company a great opportunity to expand the business by entering into new markets and leveraging other existing media assets with this hosted buyer business model.  Michael Gallo has built a great team and valuable assets that Chris Ferrell and his newly formed organization will develop and grow even further.”