Nielsen Holdings N.V., which owns the ASD Trade Show, has acquired the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show along with the Tailgating Industry Association. The acquisition was announced at the beginning of the year, effective immediately. Nielsen Holdings, known mostly as leading global firm that provides insights and information on marketing, consumer behavior, and media measurement, also holds licenses to major retail tradeshows and related properties.
Nielsen’s Expositions business owns and operates successful business-to-business (B2B) trade shows and properties including ASD Trade Show and Imprinted Sportswear Trade Show. The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show and the Tailgating Industry Association, previously under Showproco, LLC, now also joins Nielsen’s other retail-related exposition properties including Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Interbike Expo, Health & Fitness Business Expo, and the Independent Bicycle Dealer Summit.
Nielsen Expositions senior vice president Darrell Denny expressed enthusiasm over the addition of the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show to the firm’s sports portfolio. “We have a significant amount of licensing activity already taking place at our shows, and we are eager to present this opportunity to our manufacturing, distribution, and retail clients. We look forward to building upon the great foundation that longtime industry veterans Stanley Schwartz, Hardy Katz, and the Showproco team created,” he said.
Show directors Schwartz and Katz are positive that the new management would bring about a greater scope of possibilities for the show. “The synergy between sports licensing and tailgating creates all kinds of exciting opportunities for manufacturers and retailers. I think you’ll see Nielsen take that relationship to the next level,” show director Katz said.
“We feel confident that this trade event—which has grown so dramatically in scale and influence since its inception—is in good hands. The resources, experience and economies of scale offered by Nielsen will greatly benefit attendees and elevate the Tailgating Industry Association to a place of power and importance,” Schwartz stated.
The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show is an annual trade show participated in by manufacturers, distributors, agents, and retailers of the sports licensing and tailgating industry. Running successfully for the past six years, it is considered a key event for licensed sports goods including footwear, headwear, equipment, memorabilia and apparel. It also highlights electronics, tailgating equipment, shelters, food, and beverages. In 2012, more than 300 manufacturers and 5,700 retail buyers attended the trade-only event.
The next edition will be on January 17-19, 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show and Tailgating Industry Association continue to operate from its offices in Miami and supported from Nielsen’s offices in San Juan Capistrano, California.
