AES Changes Name to Diversified

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 8/7/2006

Australian Exhibition Services has a new name, Diversified Exhibitions Australia, part of a company-wide move to more closely align the firm's overseas divisions with their U.S. parent, Diversified Business Communications.

It's also an attempt to further consolidate Diversified Exhibitions Australia's position as a leading Australian exhibition organizer that is part of a global network, according to the firm's marketing manager, Jon Malpas.

Diversified Business Communications acquired AES in 2000. Since its formation in 1982, the Australian company has organized more than 400 trade and consumer exhibitions.

With the name change, all of Diversified's divisions now operate under the same brand. The U.K. division, formerly Full Moon Communications, has become Diversified Business Communications U.K. The Canadian unit has always been known as Diversified Business Communications Canada.

Graeme Selby, chairman of the newly named company and founder of the original AES, said the Diversified Exhibitions Australia name more accurately reflects the broad range of industry sectors in its portfolio. It owns all of its major show brands, which include Fine Food, Good Food & Wine Show, the Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo and Designbuild. More recent additions include Australian Fitness Expo, Retail Business Technology and Shopfit.

Matthew Pearce, recently named managing director of Diversified Exhibitions Australia, said the firm would continue to retain its successful brand marketing focus, in which each exhibition has unique identity, dynamic marketing strategy and team culture focused on results for both exhibitors and visitors.