Reed Exhibitions to acquire majority stake in Fitness Shows, flags FIBO links

Reed Exhibitions Australia (RXA) has announced its intention to acquire a majority stake in Fitness Show Pty Ltd from event operator Talk2 Media & Events (T2M).

Currently owned by T2M, the Fitness Shows consists of annual exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that together attract more than 60,000 fitness professionals and enthusiasts.

Reed Exhibitions is already a major player in fitness events, organising the world’s largest fitness expo, Germany’s FIBO.

In announcing the planned acquisition with T2M, Reed Exhibitions Australia Managing Director Brian Thomas said the company has worked with its colleagues from Reed Exhibitions in Germany to learn more about the fitness industry.

Thomas stated “we will continue to use insights from our global networks and the expert knowledge of the local Fitness Show team to improve the event offering, but it is critical that we also speak directly to our local customers

“Nobody understands the industry more than they do and our best chance of combined success is undoubtedly in working together towards a shared vision.

“Talk2 Media has built very successful shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. We look forward to working with them to accelerate the growth of the events.”

Talk2 Media Managing Director Matt Pearce added “our team is excited to be joining Reed Exhibitions Australia and the opportunities that lie ahead.

“FIBO is the pinnacle of global fitness events and we can only see an upside for the Fitness Shows and our team in working closely with the world leaders. It is an exciting time to be in Fitness.”

The Fitness Shows Event Director, Shaun Krenz and the team that currently organises the events will join Reed Exhibitions ensuring its business as usual and provide customers with a sense of continuity.

In a communication to Fitess Show stakeholders, Krenz advised “Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries and attracting more than 7 million participants.

“For many years I have looked at FIBO and the tremendous growth they have been able to achieve. Attracting over 150,000 attendees from more than 117 nations they are simply the standard in which all other fitness events are measured.

“From an innovation perspective they are ahead of the curve and because of this, we the Fitness Show along with the wider fitness industry throughout Australia should be most excited by this global alignment.”

Thomas added that in the coming weeks and months Reed Exhibitions and T2M will be reach out directly to the community in an effort to learn even more about the common goal of growth, globalisation and even more customer value.

He stated “we will continue to use insights from our global networks and the expert knowledge of the local Fitness Show team to improve the event offering, but it is critical that we also speak directly to our local customers.

“Nobody understands the industry more than they do and our best chance of combined success is undoubtedly in working together towards a shared vision.”

T2M took on the ownership of what was then the Australian Fitness and Health Expo in early 2016.

The next Fitness Show will be staged in Melbourne from 13th to 15th October 2017.

Reed Exhibitions also stage FIBO China, being held this year from 7th to 9th September at Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Click here for more information on the Fitness Show in Sydney in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar. 

Click here for more information on FIBO 2018 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar. 

Click here for details on FIBO China in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Reed Exhibitions Australia is flexing its muscles by acquiring a majority stake in the Fitness Shows. Fitness Show Sydney (top) and FIBO (below). 

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