Nielsen Expositions Acquires Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show

January 2, 2013

The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show and the Tailgating Industry Association has been acquired by Nielsen Expositions. The acquisition is effective immediately.

"The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show is a premier trade event dedicated to sports licensing and tailgating products, and we are very excited about adding it to our sports portfolio," said Darrell Denny, senior vice president of Nielsen Expositions.

Under an agreement with Showproco, the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show and Tailgating Industry Association will join Nielsen's retail-related exposition properties, including Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Interbike Expo, Health & Fitness Business Expo and the Independent Bicycle Dealer Summit.

"We have a significant amount of licensing activity already taking place at our shows, and we are eager to present this opportunity to our manufacturing, distribution and retail clients," Denny said.

He added, "We look forward to building upon the great foundation that longtime industry veterans Stan Schwartz, Hardy Katz and the Showproco team created."

Schwartz said it was time to sell because he and Hardy both are in their 70's and that Nielsen was a "great fit" for their show.


 
The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show, a six-year-old annual trade show dedicated to sports licensing and tailgating product manufacturers, distributors, agents and retailers, serves as the key order-writing event in the industry for licensed sports goods, including apparel, footwear, headwear, sports equipment and memorabilia, as well as tailgating equipment, electronics, shelters, food and beverages.

"We feel confident that this trade event-which has grown so dramatically in scale and influence since its inception-is in good hands," said Schwartz, show director.

He added, "The resources, experience and economies of scale offered by Nielsen will greatly benefit attendees and elevate the Tailgating Industry Association to a place of power and importance."

The next show will be produced Jan. 17-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show and Tailgating Industry Association will continue to operate from its offices in Miami and will be supported from Nielsen's offices in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., under Denny's direction.

"The synergy between sports licensing and tailgating creates all kinds of exciting opportunities for manufacturers and retailers," said  Katz, show director.  "I think you'll see Nielsen take that relationship to the next level."

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