As the trade show industry gears up for a busy 2023, event-related companies throughout the U.S. and across the pond are moving forward with strategic acquisitions and partnerships designed to empower and prepare them for a year of robust growth. Take a look! 

Skyline Exhibits

Eagan, Minn.-based trade show exhibit company Skyline Exhibits kicked off the new year on a strong growth trajectory by acquiring two of its authorized dealer offices—one in New York and one in California—as part of a strategic effort to provide a seamless client experience and additional expert resources.

Serving clients in Long Island and upstate New York from its office in Hauppauge, N.Y., Skyline New York is an established provider of high-impact, custom modular exhibit solutions that has worked with companies including Bankers Health Group, T.D. Ameritrade, Kyriba, Fannie Mae and ICM Controls.  

Owner Bob Watson, a 30-year trade show and events industry veteran with a background in custom exhibits, has worked closely with Skyline Exhibits since 2006 and will continue supporting his client base.  

“We look forward to collaborating more closely as we officially join the Skyline Exhibits team,” Watson said. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Skyline team and view this as a springboard for us to reach new heights for our clients, as it offers additional support and expertise with seamless services regardless of their location or venue.” 

Since receiving investment from Gemspring Capital in 2020, Skyline Exhibits has continued to grow over the past two years, investing in production assets and completing dealer acquisitions. According to Skyline officials, the company is preparing for a busy year with new members of the executive team recently added and significant investments made in new technology and equipment. 

“Our clients are ramping up for a busy 2023,” said Anthony Floreano, CEO of Skyline. “This acquisition will help us to grow and provide an even better experience for our clients in the Long Island and upstate New York area.”  

Serving clients throughout the northern California market, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno, Nev., Skyline Bay Area is a top-tier dealer boasting more than 20 years in business and multiple dealer awards in recognition of its performance.  

Owned by Chuck Boyle and Lorraine Stewart, Skyline Bay Area has built a loyal client base of more than 1,000 companies, including Guidewire Software, Check Point, Amerit Fleet Solutions, FreeWire and Puronics.  

The acquisition agreement, which unifies two long-term partners dedicated to helping brand marketers with their exhibiting programs, includes Boyle and several key members of his team joining Skyline Exhibits.  

“We have built a strong relationship with Skyline over the years as an authorized dealer and are excited to take this next step,” Boyle said. “Officially joining the Skyline team provides us with additional resources and expertise to ensure our client’s exhibiting experience is seamless and exceeds their expectations.”

This acquisition marks the second to close in 2023 and the third since the company received investment from Gemspring Capital.

CloserStill Media 

U.K.-based CloserStill Media, a market-leading global business events, exhibitions and conferences producer, recently purchased a majority stake in CommerceNext, a leading U.S.-based company focused on the ecommerce sector. 

As a community, event series and conference for marketers at retail and direct-to-consumer brands, CommerceNext produces and hosts the annual CommerceNext Ecommerce Growth Show and the CommerceNexty Awards program, as well as podcasts, webinars, industry research, an executive dinner series and an online community. 

“We are delighted to be bringing the CommerceNext U.S. conferences and events business into ClosersStill Media U.S.,” said Yancy Weinrich, president of CloserStill Media North America. “CSM runs successful ecommerce events in the U.K., Singapore and Spain, so this will allow the teams at CommerceNext and CloserStill Media to collaborate globally with the content, commercial sales and audience development to add even more firepower to the already successful events around the country.”   

Founded in 2017 by ecommerce and marketing technologies industry veterans Veronika Sonsev, Scott Silverman and Allan Dick, CommerceNext has successfully developed an engaged community through the delivery of custom content, B2B events and networking opportunities to its community of ecommerce and marketing leaders.

CommerceNext will retain its existing operating structure with Silverman, Sonsev and Dick leading the business, working alongside CloserStill Media’s U.S. leadership led by Weinrich. 

“Joining forces with CloserStill Media gives CommerceNext the resources to deliver even more amazing conferences and events for our growing community of ecommerce executives,” Silverman said. “We look forward to tapping into CloserStill Media’s deep experience in delivering best-in-class business conferences to bring more value to the CommerceNext community.” 

CompuSystems

Leading registration, data analytics and lead retrieval services provider CompuSystems (CSI) recently inked a new deal and renewed an existing agreement with two association clients. 

In December, CSI renewed its contract with the Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) through 2025. CSI will provide event registration, data analytics and lead capture services for WPGA’s 73^rd Annual Western Propane Trade Show & Convention, which attracts more than 200 exhibiting companies. 

CSI also signed a new contract with the Billiard Congress of America (BCA), a non-profit trade service organization representing manufacturers, distributors, retailers and room operators in the billiard and home recreation industry. CSI will supply event registration, analytics and lead management services for the BCA Billiard & Home Leisure Expo (BCA Expo), which is collocating with Amusement Expo International (AEI), which will be held March 27­–30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  

“We are excited and thrilled to start this new relationship with BCA,” said Mark LoGiurato, CEO of CSI. “We are confident we can help the BCA team achieve an amazing event experience with our best-in-class registration technology and customer service.” 

Have an event-related business deal to share? Please send announcements to lpsavas@tsnn.com.

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