Connect Meetings has announced the purchase of BizBash, the iconic trade media company for event and meeting planners, further expanding Connect’s market-leading position.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition of BizBash adds four premier events—including the iconic BizBash Live in New York and L.A. shows for event pros—to the current Connect portfolio of over 30 national, regional and vertically focused events around the United States. Connect will now also publish two of BizBash’s popular magazines and oversee all of its digital properties. In cities where Connect and BizBash events overlap, they will collocate and combine efforts—including some pop-up events in markets new to BizBash.
“After nearly 20 years building the BizBash brand, we are thrilled to be joining forces with Connect to create a next-generation event and media company to serve organizers and marketers of all types,” said BizBash CEO and Founder David Adler. “It is a marriage that will inspire collaboration not only in the meeting, event and event marketing industries but will have an impact on the 60 million people who attend the events, conferences, festivals, meetings and gatherings planned by our diverse organizers."
Adler will remain with the business and will continue in capacity of chairman.
Chris Collinson, president and founder of Connect, echoed Adler’s enthusiasm: “BizBash brings a new perspective to the Connect portfolio, rounding out the tools that event organizers use to make their events more effective. Connect has excelled in assisting meeting planners with site-selection needs, however BizBash inspires a different audience of event professionals with education on design, inspiration and technology that creates a meaningful experience and wow factor for event attendees.”
Commenting on the deal, Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie, said: “Having known David Adler for almost 20 years, I’m delighted to be finally working with him on how to shape events for the future. This is a really exciting acquisition for the group and our dynamic Connect division. The addition of BizBash to the growing Tarsus Connect portfolio heralds a phase of further growth and access to new markets. The U.S. is one of the world’s largest exhibition markets and a key area of focus for us. We have already identified numerous opportunities to grow both brands thanks to the synergies created by this acquisition.”
The acquisition closes out a record-breaking year for Connect, which is owned by Tarsus Group, and has seen the company’s growth propelled by its expansion into new markets and verticals, including the launch of Connect Medical, Connect Tech and Connect Midwest.
