Sale of Annual Trade Event Will Allow CEDIA to Focus on Member Programs, It Says

January 27, 2017 |Industry Notes

CEDIA’s decision to sell its September trade event to Emerald Expositions will allow the trade organization to focus on year-round member initiatives, it said in a Thursday news release. “CEDIA 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." Offloading the show, called CEDIA Expo until last year, will allow CEDIA to “reallocate staff” to develop programs and initiatives to drive member success, said CEDIA CEO Vin Bruno in a statement. CEDIA's professional staff spends most of its time during the year preparing for the trade show, said CEDIA Chairman Dennis Erskine. With the resources freed up from not organizing the show, the organization will address member needs: workforce development, education delivered “more conveniently to members," consumer awareness, industry outreach and providing better digital tools, it said. The organizations will work together on the 2017 show, scheduled for Sept. 5-9 in San Diego, in what CEDIA called a “transitional year” as CEDIA hands off operations to Emerald Expositions for 2018. “Beyond 2017, Emerald will be responsible for all operational aspects of the show excluding educational programming and the CEDIA Awards event,” CEDIA said. Emerald, meanwhile, was said to be exploring a sale that could value the company at close to $2 billion, Reuters reported Wednesday. Emerald’s website says the company operates more than 50 trade shows, including 30 of the top 250 trade shows in the U.S. Shows include the KBIS kitchen and bath show, Surf Expo and the National Stationery Show. It operates shows for other industries including gift, home and general merchandise; design; food; healthcare; construction; and military. Emerald’s other technology shows are the Internet Retail Conference + Exhibition and the Digital Dealer Conference & Expo. Emerald didn't immediately respond to questions.