CLEVELAND, Ohio – April 24, 2019 – Marketplace Events, the largest producer of business-to-consumer shows in North America, today announced that it has acquired nine home shows from Show Technology Productions of San Antonio.   

The purchase positions Marketplace Events in three new markets: Austin, Texas (four shows), San Antonio, Texas (three shows) and Lexington, Ky. (one show).  The deal also includes a show in Charlotte, N.C., at Cabarrus Arena. The company already operates another home and garden show in Charlotte along with the iconic 12-day Southern Christmas Show, the largest holiday show in the U.S., at The Park Expo and Conference Center.   

The Show Technology transaction is the 11th acquisition completed by Marketplace Events since being purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners in 2016, bringing their portfolio to 75 shows in 34 markets.  

“These markets are of obvious strategic growth importance to Marketplace Events,” says Tom Baugh, Marketplace Events CEO. “But the real story is about trust.  Our relationship with Steve Pichichero and his sons, Mark and Tommy Mantini, has always been anchored in mutual candor and respect.  This is the largest deal in our history, and it got done because the foundation of trust was formed from the start.”

The company will open an office in Austin, Texas to produce the new shows.  They will also run their two Oklahoma City shows out of the new Austin location.  Overseeing the transition will be Brent Keller, VP Operations & Integration, a 25-year veteran with Marketplace Events.  Joe Trimble, Regional Sales Director, will move to the market to sales manage the new shows.  Shelly Gepfert, VP Marketing, who has been with Marketplace Events for 13 years, is already located in the Austin market as is long-time exhibit sales consultant Laura Martin, a 19-year company veteran, who will begin selling on the Texas shows immediately.  

“We have a good crew of longtime employees who provide a solid foundation on which to build a new team to manage these shows,” said Keller.  “We have a quick turnaround, acquiring these shows in April and running our first shows four months later in August,” he explained, “but we’ve got the right people in the right place and I am confident in our ability to grow these shows,” Keller said. 

The announcement comes just two months after the company announced a new partnership with skilled-trade advocate Mike Rowe, best known as the creator and host of Dirty Jobs, to promote their growing portfolio of home shows.  

“We work with 20,000+ companies each year – primarily small, locally-owned home improvement business owners who exhibit at our shows, explained Baugh.  “Our success is tied to their success in servicing homeowners and growing their business. They can’t do that without a skilled labor pool so our partnership with Mike Rowe makes sense. It’s a meaningful way for Marketplace Events to support our customers and the home improvement industry throughout North America,” he continued.  “We look forward to bringing this powerful promotional partnership to these new shows.”