Marketplace Events continued to expand its fast-growing home shows portfolio with the purchase of six more events from Southern Shows

All events in this transaction are located in North Carolina: two home shows in Raleigh, two in Charlotte and one in Greensboro, along with the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte.  

Southern Shows will continue to own and produce their 11-show Women’s Show Series and the Southern Farm Show.  In a transition agreement, Southern Shows will continue to manage through completion the three home shows that take place in the first quarter of 2017 on behalf of Marketplace Events.  

Additionally, Christine Cipriano, who for 20 years has been instrumental to the success of the Southern Christmas Show, will continue in her role and will join Marketplace Events as show manager.

To accommodate the new shows, Marketplace Events plans to open offices in both Raleigh and Charlotte.

"These are incredibly well-run shows and an impressive legacy of the Zimmerman family," said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events. 

He added, "We are excited to expand our presence in North Carolina and to continue the Southern Shows tradition of providing high-quality, dynamic events for exhibitors and consumers in these markets. Acquiring what is arguably the most successful holiday show in the country, the Southern Christmas Show, to anchor our rapidly expanding North American holiday show portfolio, is a unique opportunity to accelerate growth.

The Southern Christmas Show joins Marketplace Event's existing holiday shows in Kansas City, Indianapolis and a recent Minneapolis launch at U.S. Bank Stadium.

"We are pleased that Marketplace Events, a company with excellent leadership, experience and resources, has committed to continue the events in the quality manner established by Southern Shows over many years," said David J.  Zimmerman, president of Southern Shows.  

The acquisition brings the Marketplace Events portfolio to 57 events in 25 markets including 38 U.S. home shows, 14 Canadian home shows and 5 holiday shows.  

Thirteen shows were added since February of this year when Marketplace Events was purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners.  

To manage the recent growth, Marketplace Events also announced a number of promotions.  Brent Keller, who celebrated his 22nd year with the company this year, has been named vice president, Home Shows, while Ryan Rose has been named vice president, Holiday Shows and also will oversee the Carolina home shows. 

Shalini Mitchell, who manages the company's Northeastern U.S. region, was promoted to regional vice president, as was Jill Kivett, who is responsible for 10 home shows in Western Canada.

Corporate Solutions of Westport, Conn., was the exclusive advisor to Southern Shows, Inc. in arranging, structuring and negotiating this transaction.