Marketplace Events Acquires Pacific Northwest Consumer Shows
June 6, 2018
Marketplace Events has purchased two shows from O’Loughlin Trade Shows, the largest producer of consumer shows in the Pacific Northwest.
Marketplace Events now will operate both the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, held each February at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle and the Tacoma Home & Garden Show, held in January at the Tacoma Dome.
“From both a personal and professional standpoint, this is a meaningful deal,” said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events, which is known as the largest producer of business-to-consumer home shows in North America.
He continued, “The O’Loughlin and Baugh families have been friends and colleagues for almost 50 years. Marketplace Events is excited to become stewards of these events and we are extremely enthusiastic about expanding our footprint into the Northwest U.S. market.”
As a 30-year-old show that has operated in the market since 1989, the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival has long been regarded as the preeminent garden show in the Northwest that features more than 20 spectacular show gardens each year.
The show’s current staff will join Marketplace Events and continue running the event, according to Marketplace officials.
The Tacoma Home & Garden Show, which is set to run Jan. 24-27, will be operated out of Marketplace Events’ Vancouver office under the direction of veteran Show Manager Tyson Kidd and Assistant Show Manager Stephanie Gatzionis.
Presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers, the Tacoma show us Washington’s largest combined home and garden event.
Meanwhile, O’Loughlin Trade Shows will continue producing Boat, RV, Food and Sportsmen’s Shows.
This is the third show acquisition of the year for Marketplace Events, with the company having acquired or launched 25 shows since being purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners in February 2016.
The company produces 41 consumer home shows in the U.S., 16 in Canada and nine holiday shows. The 66 combined events in 31 markets attract 20,000 exhibitors, 1.8 million attendees and another 3 million unique web visitors annually.
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.
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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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