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This Just In

AGI Acquires Six Consumer Shows from Plus Events

RENEE DIIULIO, SENIOR EDITOR

Ventura, CA – AGI Events, a division of Affinity Group, Inc., has acquired six consumer shows from Las Vegas-based Plus Events. The sportsmen and home and garden shows will be combined with AGI’s April launch of the Pomona RV and Lifestyle Show to form a southwest regional group for the company.

AGI president Steve Hedlund says the division, which was formed just over a year ago, has an aggressive growth strategy. The Plus Events acquisition is the third in the past 15 months and the second in the past three. AGI recently acquired Royal Productions Inc., which produces 12 consumer events in Virginia. The company now organizes 24 events in 11 cities and is a leader in RV, boat and powersports shows.

“The primary goal is to build the consumer show division, particularly with RV, powersports and boat shows,” says Hedlund, who notes that because many of these show organizers also produce home shows, the division will also enter that market.

The newly acquired events are held in Sacramento, Reno and Las Vegas, and will continue to be managed by founders Harry Sleight and Shirley Kocman. Sleight has been named vice president/regional manager.

Tom Gaither, senior vice president of AGI Events, says, “While we intend to harness the marketing power of AGI to strengthen and expand the shows, we also realize that the local relationships with customers and vendors are what make each of these shows unique. Our opportunity is to add value to those existing relationships.”

Sleight notes the sale will bring “significant strength” and “marketing muscle” to the existing shows. Plus Events was represented by Corporate Solutions in the sale.

Hedlund notes that Plus Events offers a great platform in the southwest region of the country for additional acquisition and start-ups. The Plus Events that are now part of the AGI portfolio include the: Las Vegas Sportmen’s Show, Las Vegas Spring Home & Garden Show, Reno Total Home Show, Sacramento Total Home Show, Las Vegas Summer Lifestyles Home Show and Las Vegas Fall Home Decorating & Remodeling Show.

Reach Steve Hedlund at  (800) 848-6247 or shedlund@affinitygroup.com.

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