Expomedia Acquires Stake in Auto Shows

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 5/2/2005

Expomedia Group's Dutch division has teamed up with a magazine publisher to purchase a 70 percent stake in VDP Group, which produces a dozen events that together draw 140,000 visitors each year.

In purchasing the stake, the Dutch division, called TE2, partnered with Telegraaf Magazine Group, a Dutch publisher that puts out a dozen special-interest magazines, including one that covers the auto sector.

VDP's events are held in Belgium, Germany and Holland. Seven are held at outdoor tracks, including the TTMotoGP track in Assen, Holland; the F1 Track in Nurburgring, Germany; and the F1 Track in Zolder, Belgium. Two are held at indoor tracks.

VDP also puts out Automaxx Magazine and an associated Web site. The company next year also plans to launch a biennial show called American Sunday, dedicated to American cars.

Teun Gautier, managing director of TE2, said his company expects the auto sector to grow in coming years. "With this acquisition, we have strengthened our position in the specialist automotive market and added a range of exciting new events to our portfolio," he stated.

TE2 includes an annual Race and Rally, Formula 1 event in the seven events it produces each year. The company is also set to open its first venue, EXPO XXI Amsterdam Intl. Expocentre later this month.