Marketplace Events (MPE) has acquired the New Brunswick-based Master Promotions Ltd.
Established in 1973, Master Promotions produces the Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show held in Moncton, N.B., the National Heavy Equipment Show in Mississauga, Ontario and Expo Grands Travaux in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The deal includes 10 trade events in the heavy equipment, fisheries, forestry and technology sectors.
“Very little will change for our exhibitors and attendees,” said Wendell Howes, President of Master Promotions, Ltd. “I have seen first-hand how Marketplace Events has grown their other acquisitions, and I am confident in the future of these shows in their capable hands.”
In total, the acquisition includes 31 shows, including 10 trade events, seven home shows and 14 consumer recreation shows.
“These are well-run successful events that have been operating across Canada, many of them since the early 1970’s,” said MPE CEO Mark White.
“We are excited about this significant expansion in Canada and look forward to welcoming the new staff to the MPE family as we support their continued effort to grow these dynamic events.”
Master Promotions’ 30 staff members will remain in their current roles and immediately become employees of MPE.
MPE is North America’s largest business-to-consumer show producer. The company existing presence in Canada includes 15 home shows in Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. As well, the company’s Vice President of Western Canada, Jill Kivett, also serves as the immediate past president of the Canadian Association of Exposition Management.
Including the United States, MPE produces more than 100 business-to-consumer and trade shows in North America including almost 70 home and garden shows, 18 sport and outdoor shows, 16 holiday shows and 10 regional trade shows. Each year, its events host more than 30,000 exhibitors and welcome more than 2.5 million attendees.
While Marketplace Events primarily operates in the consumer events space, the company launched a successful trade show in the motorcycle industry that it eventually sold.
“We are excited for the opportunity to re-enter the trade show category,” White said.
