A big investment
The British trade fair and academic publications group Informa has announced that it has acquired Yachting Promotions Inc (YPI) from Active Interest Media, a US trade press group. The transaction amounted to £106 million.
Birth of a heavyweight in boat shows
Informa already owned the Monaco Yacht show, Europe's largest yachting and luxury yachting event. With the acquisition of YPI, the company adds 5 major boat shows at American and international level to its portfolio.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the most important of them. Every November, it attracts 100,000 visitors, 1200 boats and 820 exhibitors, making it one of the largest boat shows in the world.
YPI also includes the Miami Beach Yacht Show, Palm Beach International Boat Show, Suncoast Boat Show and the St Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show.
Complementarity Europe - USA
For Stephen A. Carter, CEO of Informa, the acquisition of YPI in the United States perfectly completes the group's current activity in Europe. "After 3 years of private negotiations, we are delighted to integrate YPI into our group. This will strengthen our leadership in the growing yachting and yachting industry worldwide, with its attractive shows complementing the Monaco Yacht Show."
