CEDIA today announced that it has sold ownership of the annual CEDIA Expo to Emerald Expositions, which is billed as the largest trade show operator in the U.S.
CEDIA said it will continue to be deeply involved in the show, working hand-in-hand with Emerald on overall show direction, as well as retaining control and ownership of all educational programming.
The new partners described 2017 as “a transitional year operationally,” as CEDIA will continue to manage many facets of the show, while Emerald will be responsible for all operational aspects of the show thereafter, excluding educational programming and the CEDIA Awards event.
The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“CEDIA first and foremost serves its members, and as home technology continues to proliferate, our members need comprehensive tools, resources, and support to assert their position as the single point of contact for technology in the home,” said Vin Bruno, CEDIA CEO. “Emerald acquiring and consequently taking over the operational responsibilities of the show will allow CEDIA to reallocate staff to develop programs and initiatives that will drive member success across the board.”
CEDIA chairman Dennis Erskine added, “More than half of the CEDIA professional staff spends the majority of their time annually preparing for the show; as the board and CEDIA leadership considered Emerald’s offer, we saw this as an incredible opportunity to concentrate on bolstering the year-round CEDIA member experience.”
Bruno continued, “With the resources we will now have available, CEDIA will seek to address the most important needs of our members: workforce development, education delivered more conveniently to members, consumer awareness, industry outreach, and providing more robust digital tools that will drive business to CEDIA members. At the same time, Emerald will bring considerable expertise, energy and fresh ideas to the show, helping to improve the experience for all participants in the years ahead. The future is bright for CEDIA members and the show.”
David Loechner, president and CEO, Emerald Expositions, said, “We are excited to add the CEDIA show to our portfolio. It is very successful with a rich history, which is a testament to the CEDIA organization and its members. I am confident that the combination of Emerald’s deep experience, professional capabilities, and unrivalled scale in operating trade shows, together with CEDIA’s clear vision, market affinity, and preeminent educational content will propel the show forward for the benefit of the entire industry.”
Emerald run trade shows in numerous industry sectors, including gift, home and general merchandise, sports, design, construction and technology.
CEDIA members will continue to enjoy complimentary access to the show floor, special savings on all CEDIA education and training, and preferential access to hotel blocks based on join date. Exhibiting member companies will continue to accrue priority points for booth selection.
The 2017 CEDIA show will take place Sept. 5-9, with the tradeshow floor open Sept. 7-9, in San Diego.
TWICE parent NewBay Media publishes the Official CEDIA Daily for distribution at the show.
