Jupitermedia Acquires ID Conference and Expo, Stock Photography Firm

By Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 4/12/2004

Jupitermedia has made two more acquisitions – the Inside ID Conference & Expo and Comstock Images, a stock photography company. And with up to $44.2 million expected from an upcoming stock offering, the company will have funds to make even more acquisitions.

The Darien, Conn. Jupitermedia made seven acquisitions last year, according to the registration statement for its stock offering. That compares with four in 2002, two in 2001, 28 in 2000 and 19 in 1999.

The Inside ID Conference & Expo, which covers the emerging identity management industry, was launched by Benjamin Miller last year, attracting 1,000 attendees and 75 exhibitors. The next Inside ID is scheduled for the Washington, D.C. Convention Center Nov. 15-17.

In 1990, Miller founded the CardTech/SecurTech Conference, growing it to 10,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors before selling it to Thomson. Under terms of the agreement, Miller will stay on as Inside ID conference chair. "We are very excited about the acquisition by Jupitermedia," Miller said.

"He started his own show and it was successful right out of the gate," said Jupitermedia CEO Alan Meckler.

Jupitermedia, which specializes in small emerging technology events, has seen its tradeshow holdings increase from 18 events generating $5.2 million in 2001 to 26 events producing $8.3 million in 2003. Other Jupitermedia events cover storage technology, search engines and Wi-Fi.