Exhibitor Media Group Acquired by 30-Year Industry Veteran Mark Johnson
June 24, 2022
Mark Johnson, chairman and CEO of Minneapolis-based The STAR Groupe, has acquired leading trade show and corporate event marketing education company Exhibitor Media Group, publisher of the award-winning EXHIBITOR magazine and producer of EXHIBITORLIVE, the national conference and exhibition for trade show and corporate event marketers.
As the founder of Star Exhibits and Environments in 1993, Johnson made a strategic decision following the COVID-19 pandemic to establish a holding company dedicated to serving the face-to-face marketing industry.
“The trade show industry was significantly impacted by the pandemic, which nearly decimated a professional community I have proudly served for more than 30 years,” Johnson said.
He added, “Knowing the important role EXHIBITOR plays in the industry, I wanted to ensure the entire face-to-face marketing community continues to have access to the unbiased content, education and expertise they need to create successful programs now and in the future.”
Besides EXHIBITOR and EXHIBITORLIVE, which ran June 20-23 in Las Vegas, Exhibitor Media Group also produces a range of professional learning events and platforms for industry connection and education, including the EXHIBITORFastTrak accelerated learning regional conferences; EXHIBITOR eTrak professional online learning, complimentary EXHIBITORInsight webinars and the industry’s only university-affiliated Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) professional certification program
“The best way to honor our past is to continue providing the rich content and exclusive educational opportunities that have helped guide the professional transformation of the industry for the past 40 years,” said Travis Stanton, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine. “By fostering professional connection, exploring both trusted and new event-marketing strategies and highlighting our communities’ key learnings and successes, we are proud to contribute to the emergence of a vibrant new phase in event marketing.”
He added, “While looking toward the future, we fully intend to build on the foundation of the company in a way that nurtures its roots and promotes new growth.”
According to Johnson, his first priority as new owner of the company will be to ensure a smooth transition for the EXHIBITOR team by focusing on the company’s people, benefits and culture.
“Because of the unique role that EXHIBITOR plays in our industry, I intend to run it as a separate business and will not have ongoing operational responsibilities,” Johnson explained. “Once I am confident we have established a strong footing, I will turn the business over to a newly appointed CEO/president who will be accountable for running Exhibitor Media Group.
He continued, “I am honored to now be a part of the EXHIBITOR legacy and look forward to watching the organization grow and evolve in the years to come. Long live the show!”
Johnson added that he plans to establish an advisory board comprising leaders across the globe to help the company identify and accommodate any unmet industry needs.
As far as the near future of plans with the show, he said EXHIBITORLIVE may not run in 2023, instead possibly partner with Euroshop, and then return to Las Vegas in 2024.
“We want to move (the show) out of the the first quarter (overall),” Johnson added.
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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