Jul 6, 2009

Urban Expositions to Acquire San Francisco, Seattle Gift Trade Shows from DMG World Media

Atlanta, GA – Urban Expositions announces its acquisition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair® (SFIGF) and the Seattle Gift Show® from dmg world media. The ownership transition will take place following the August 2009 editions of the semi-annual shows. The acquisition adds a strategic western region presence to Atlanta-based Urban Expositions’ growing portfolio of trade shows.

“We have been looking for growth opportunities in the Western US for some time now and felt that the San Francisco and Seattle shows offered the perfect complement to our show roster,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “These shows now join our growing Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show and new LA editions of the Material World & Technology Solutions textile shows to expand and strengthen our position out west. We look forward to building upon the outstanding efforts of dmg world media and GLM® – the shows’ current producer – to bring even more new business growth and development opportunities to the region’s gift community.”

“Urban Expositions is ideally suited to take over the management of the San Francisco and Seattle shows,” said Alan Steel, EVP, business-to-retail, dmg world media, which sold its annual Boston Gift Show to Urban Expositions in 2008. “The Urban team has built a solid reputation over the years for its hands-on management style and commitment to customer service. Urban’s leadership has a strong understanding of the specialized needs of these events, their buyers and exhibitors, and we know they will bring continued success to the shows in years to come.”

Urban Expositions will assume all management duties from dmg world media following completion of the August 8-11 San Francisco and August 22-25, 2009 Seattle events. At that time, the company will take over all sales, marketing, operations and other day-to-day duties for the January 23-26, 2010 Seattle Gift Show, the February 6-10, 2010 SFIGF and all future editions of the two shows.

Held semi-annually at Moscone Center, the SFIGF attracts some 11,000 retailers ranging from small specialty stores and boutiques to big box retailers including Pottery Barn and Cost Plus World Market; from museum stores to wineries and much more. The Show features more than 600 exhibitors who represent more than 3,000 lines.

The Seattle Gift Show® at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center and the permanent showrooms of the Pacific Market Center come together twice a year to host Seattle Market Week. These two world-class, easy-to-shop venues give retailers an opportunity to explore 10,000 national and innovative new product lines. Together, they represent the largest market in the Pacific Northwest, drawing independent and specialty retailers, national chain stores and corporate buyers from the Pacific Northwest, surrounding states, Canada and Alaska.

“We plan to hit the ground running with both of these shows,” adds Urban’s Miller. “Buyers and exhibitors can be assured that we’ll maintain the same level of customer service and innovation they’ve come to expect from both of these shows. And, we’re already working on a number of new programs, promotions and product resources to help take these shows to the next level.”

For information on the upcoming August 2009 shows, buyers and exhibitors should contact GLM, a dmg world media business, 888 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90017. Ph: (213) 430-2300 fx: (213) 362-5660.

For exhibitor, buyer or other show information on the Winter 2010 events, contact Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, Ste 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144, 800.318.2238 or 678.285.3976, www.urban-expo.com or email: info@urbanexpositions.com

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS
Urban Expositions is a leading producer of gift, souvenir and resort merchandise trade shows. With a successful track record bringing buyers and sellers together in cost-effective and convenient settings, the company’s growing show roster includes the Philadelphia Gift Show, Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Boston Gift Show, Ft Lauderdale Gift Show, Galveston Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Emerald Coast Gift & Resort Show, Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, Market Place Show, Ocean City Resort Gift Expo, Orlando Gift Show, and invitation-only Gathering event. Urban Expositions also produces Material World & Technology Solutions, the global fashion production, supply chain and technology events for the sewn products industries. For more information, visit www.urban-expo.com

ABOUT dmg world media
dmg world media is an international trade show producer with principal operations across North America, Europe and Asia. dmg world media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT). Additional information on dmg world media can be found at www.dmgworldmedia.com