Seattle, WA – Reed Exhibitions’ ReepPop division acquired Emerald City Comicon (ECCC), a Seattle show for comic book and science fiction enthusiasts that attracted roughly 70,000 attendees last year. The Emerald City management team, led by convention director Jim Demonakos, will remain intact and join ReedPop.
“A classic superhero team-up is what we have here,” said Demonakos. “The Emerald City Comicon team will also start working with ReedPop’s events to help make them bigger and better.”
The 2015 ECCC takes place March 27-29 at the Washington State Convention Center. The projected size of the exhibit floor was not immediately available, but the exhibitor prospectus stated that attendance had risen steadily in recent years and hit 70,000 in 2014. Half of those attendees took in all three days of the event and the average spend per attendee was more than $200.
The ownership change adds Reed’s expertise and negotiating clout to the planning and execution of the show, particularly in the areas of registration and negotiations with hotels near the convention center where some of the panel presentations and other special functions take place. ReedPop will also take over various back-office tasks on a case-by-case basis.
REEDPOP’S FUTURE COURSE
ReedPop Global Vice President Lance Fensterman said the deal was in line with their global expansion strategy. “We are seeking additional opportunities on a global level,” Fensterman told Trade Show Executive. “In the last 18 months, ReedPOP has launched events in the U.S., Paris, and Sydney and has also acquired businesses in the U.S., India and Australia. We plan to continue to seek out passionate fan bases around the world and build amazing events for them.” The flagship of ReedPop’s portfolio of 24 events is the successful New York Comic Con.
The Emerald City Comicon strengthened ReedPop’s presence in the Pacific Northwest. ReedPop also produces the video-game show PAX Prime. Fensterman said he was on the lookout for further opportunities in the area, but preferred to think on a global scale.
Reed Exhibitions has benefited from ReedPop’s dramatic growth. The percentage of Reed’s revenues coming up from ReedPop has grown from single digits in 2006 to double-digits last year, Fensterman said.
Reach Lance Fensterman at (203) 840-4800 or lance@reedpop.com; Jim Demonakos at (425) 361-2442 or jim@emeraldcitycomicon.com
