Marketplace Events Launches Trade Show Division Led by Mike Webster
March 15, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – On the heels of the January 2012 announcement that Marketplace Events will launch the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIME) for both B2B and B2C, in Fall 2013, the company announced today that Mike Webster will oversee the AIME launch and spearhead development of other new trade show opportunities in his new role as President of the company’s new Trade Show Division.
Webster will continue in his role as Vice President of Marketplace Events, including overseeing the Western Canadian region of home shows as well as the partnership with the Dallas Cowboys organization.
“Mike Webster is recognized as one of the best trade and consumer event senior executives in North America,” said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events. “He’s smart, strategic, trusted and a proven builder of successful shows and successful teams. That makes Mike the ideal person to construct and lead Marketplace Events’ new trade show division,” he continued. “AIME is just the start.”
Webster joined Marketplace Events in June 2008 after spending nearly 26 years with Advanstar Communications, as Vice President and Director of Business Development for Advanstar’s Off-Road Group. Prior to that, Webster was Vice President and General Manager of Advanstar’s Powersports Group including the highly successful trade and consumer powersports shows.
“I have an unfeigned passion for the exhibition business having managed and produced hundreds of trade and consumer shows for more than 30 years.” said Webster. “Marketplace Events is a spectacular organization with a proven track record of success due to our unwavering commitment to delivering impeccable value and service to all of our external and internal customers. I am thrilled with the opportunity to grow our portfolio of trade shows via acquisitions, partnerships and organic development”.
Marketplace Events is the largest producer of consumer home shows in North America with 31 home shows in 20 markets, along with a new consumer technology show to launch in Washington, DC in November 2012. The launch of AIME in 2013 will bring the total number of annual events produced by the company to 33.
The American International Motorcycle Expo is a trade and consumer show for the motorcycle industry timed to align with the fall season reveal of new motorcycles, aftermarket products, safety equipment, and accessories to the press, motorcycle dealers, and consumers. AIME is intended to create a greater efficiency for the industry to conduct business with retailers, promote new product to the press and consumers, while creating a heightened interest for motorcycling as both sport and as a viable, green transportation alternative.
AIME will be run by Larry Little, a longtime motorcycle industry veteran. Little was previously Vice President & Publisher of Cycle World magazine, the world’s largest motorcycle publication. Also, for the past 15 years, Little has been elected to the board of Directors of the Motorcycle Industry Council and currently serves as its chairman. Larry is Vice President & General Manager of Marketplace Events’ Motorcycle Group, reporting to Webster.
About Marketplace Events
Marketplace Events creates vibrant curated expositions connecting enthusiasts with experts, products and services in dynamic face-to-face environments. The company now produces 33 consumer shows annually that collectively attract 15,000 exhibitors, 1.1 million attendees and another 1.3 million unique web visitors annually. From 14 offices, the 115-person staff produces some of the most successful and longest-running consumer shows in North America, including market-leading home shows in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver–some of which have thrived in their markets for more than 75 years. For more information, go to www.marketplaceevents.com.