DHC Portfolio Company Diversified Communications USA Acquires Smart Energy Decisions, Adding to Its Clean Energy Portfolio

September 19, 2022

Strategic Expansion of Smart Energy Decisions’ Hosted Buyer Events and Digital Resources Supported by Staff Retention and Additional Investment

PORTLAND, Maine – Today, Diversified Communications announced the purchase of hosted buyer event and digital media business, Smart Energy Decisions (SED). Founded in 2016 by John Failla, SED informs and supports commercial and industrial electric power customers as they navigate the transition to renewables and minimize consumption of fossil fuels. Organizer of Net Zero Forums, Renewable Energy Forums, and Innovation Summits, and producers of webinars, podcasts, eNewsletters, research, and custom media, SED complements Diversified’s existing Clean Energy portfolio already serving solar, energy storage, and EV charging infrastructure markets.

President and CEO of Diversified Communications, Theodore Wirth shared, “As the owner of Pegasus Solar, a 1.5 Megawatt solar farm in Maine, and owner-producer of Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America, we are proud to be expanding how we meet the evolving needs of businesses working towards Net Zero. We are prouder still that SED’s Founder, John Failla, has entrusted Diversified to continue to grow his events and digital resources.”

Diversified, understanding the value of people and relationships, has retained SED’s full team. They bring valuable industry knowledge and hosted buyer expertise to Diversified’s Clean Energy team, led by Group Event Director, Wes Doane.

“We are excited to be working with these talented, entrepreneurial professionals who share our commitment to clean energy, providing products that deliver timely industry intelligence and connections that support businesses in their transition to renewables,” said Doane. “We have much to learn from each other, and their experience producing hosted buyer events adds a new skill-set to our team, making this a win-win situation.”

“Our mission from day one has been to help large power users succeed in their energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts. To continue our mission as this market booms, we must continue to grow,” stated Failla. “Diversified’s infrastructure, culture, and reputation within the clean energy communities it already serves, make Diversified the best new home for our team and an environment that will help SED achieve its potential.”

“Diversified has been actively seeking to both expand our Clean Energy portfolio and move further into the hosted buyer space. SED is a perfect fit, and we will continue to look at similar acquisition opportunities,” said Oakley Dyer, Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, Diversified Communications. “We are very fortunate to have found an experienced entrepreneur in John, whose products are at the point to benefit most from our long-term approach, broad industry experience, access to capital, and back-office resources.”

Sullivan & Worcester LLP served as Diversified Communications’ legal counsel. Smart Energy Decisions retained Jusmedico Law Group as their legal counsel and worked exclusively with financial advisor, Oaklins DeSilva & Philips LLC.

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About Diversified Holding Co.

Diversified Holding Co. is a third generation, family-owned holding company rooted in Maine and serving global, national and local business-to-business communities. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, we currently operate from six divisions and offices around the world, including Diversified Communications USA. The family and company are committed to fostering prosperity and sustainability in communities and industries, both local and global and we continue to seek new opportunities to further that mission.  Diversified is actively seeking new B2B investment opportunities, ranging from funding promising Maine-based start-up to the acquisition of full operating entities.

For more information, visit: http://www.diversifiedholdingco.com

Diversified Holding Co. Fuels Growth of Maine Startup, As Series A Investor in GO Lab Inc.

February 02, 2022

Today, Diversified Holding Co. is pleased to announce our Series A investment in GO Lab to fund their TimberHP wood fiber insulation production facility. Manufactured at a former paper mill in Madison, Maine, TimberHP will be the first cost-competitive, carbon-negative, renewable, non-toxic, comprehensive insulating solution available in the United States.

“We are proud to play this vital role in bringing this new product to market and its manufacturing to a part of our state in need of revitalization,” said, Diversified Holding Co.’s President & CEO, Theodore Wirth “We are thrilled to find such an exceptional product concept with near- and far-reaching positive environmental impact that not only expands our founder, Horace Hildreth Sr.’s legacy, but builds upon the environmental stewardship of his son and our former Board Chair Horace Hildreth Jr,. and reflects the values of our current Board of Directors.”

TimberHP will offer three wood fiber building envelope and acoustic insulation products: TimberFill, TimberBatt, and TimberBoard. While not demanding a cost premium, these products are performance competitive  with traditional options on the market that are nearly all derived from or heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The TimberHP product series uses residual wood chips from Maine’s renewable lumber production and sustainable forest management practices. TimberHP will not only weatherize homes throughout New England helping to cut building emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of the US housing stock but also builds upon Maine's environmental heritage and bolsters the state's sustainable forest economy.

"While looking for cost competitive and sustainable insulation it became clear that the cost and carbon to import wood fiber insulation from Europe were prohibitive and revealed the opportunity to manufacture a sustainable option where the resources and demand were the among the highest in the US," explained, architect, and Board Member & Co-Founder of GO Lab, Matthew O'Malia. ”Financing was the next step towards development, and we were very pleased to find a Maine company – Diversified Holding Co. – with the foresight and shared values to help fund the extensive technical resource development and pre-production R&D as well as help secure the Bonds necessary to launch this new industry here in Maine."

Together with the other Series A investors, Diversified’s early investment ensured GO Lab's ability to secure and sell $85 million tax exempt green bonds, purchase a former papermill in Madison, Maine and hire existing local expertise with plans to hire nearly half of the local manufacturing work force left behind when the papermill closed in 2016.  In all, the project will cost over $130 million dollars and deliver over a $100 million of high-performing, carbon-negative insulation to the residential construction market.

Oakley Dyer, Corporate VP of Strategy and Corporate Development said, “Having previously invested in renewable energy projects in Maine and acquired many follow-on products within our global portfolio of businesses, we are also fortunate to be at the ready to support promising Maine-based start-ups, such as TimberHP. We look forward to joining the Go Lab Board and continuing our support.”

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About Diversified Holding Co.

Diversified Holding Co. is a third generation, family-owned holding company rooted in Maine and serving global, national and local business-to-business communities. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, we currently operate from six divisions and offices around the world, including Diversified Communications USA. The family and company are committed to fostering prosperity and sustainability in communities and industries, both local and global and we continue to seek new opportunities to further that mission.  Diversified is actively seeking new B2B investment opportunities, ranging from funding promising Maine-based start-up to the acquisition of full operating entities.

For more information, visit: http://www.diversifiedholdingco.com

About GO Lab, Inc.

GO Lab, Inc., was founded in 2017 to develop and manufacture wood fiber insulation solutions for the residential and light-commercial construction markets. Wood fiber board, batt, and loose fill insulation products are an easy drop-in replacement for other insulations on the market.  Along with being high-performing, wood fiber insulation products are easy and safe to install, renewable, recyclable, nontoxic, and will have a negative carbon footprint. When manufactured here in America, GO Lab’s TimberHP product line will offer the most comprehensive, above-grade solution on the market—cavity, continuous and blanket insulation made from one material, and from one manufacturer.

DHC Portfolio Company Diversified Communications USA Expands Integrative Healthcare Portfolio, Acquiring Natural Medicine Journal

September 01, 2021

Today, Diversified Communications USA closed on the acquisition of Natural Medicine Journal (NMJ). This highly reputable, peer-reviewed, digital monthly journal and website is a valuable addition to Diversified’s existing integrative healthcare portfolio.

NMJ is led by an experienced editorial team, talented sales staff and an esteemed Editorial Board of integrative healthcare professionals who produce timely, valuable content for their readers, which include a diverse group of integrative healthcare practitioners, associations, researchers, faculty, and students.

Diversified Communications’ Group Vice President, Liz Plizga was pleased to share, “We are very excited to work together to expand NMJ’s business model while seeking opportunities to share content – increasing the value for all our customers, and to cross promote – expanding the audience for all products.”

NMJ will remain a stand-alone product alongside Diversified’s Integrative Practitioner digital community and their annual in-person Integrative Healthcare Symposium.

Karolyn Gazella, Natural Medicine Journal’s founder and owner said, “I’m so pleased to have found a new home for NMJ within the integrative healthcare sector with a respected company that shares our entrepreneurial approach and commitment to quality content. Diversified Communications also has the resources and complementary products to ensure the continued success and future growth of NMJ.”

“We too feel fortunate to find such a fitting opportunity within an industry we know and serve,” said Oakley Dyer, Corporate Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development for Diversified Communications. “We continue to seek acquisitions that can benefit from our long-term approach, broad industry experience, access to capital and back-office resources, whether within our current industries or within new industries that reflect our values.”

DHC Portfolio Company Diversified Communications USA Announces Acquisition of Energy Storage North America

March 17, 2020

Diversified Communications Announces Acquisition of Energy Storage North America, Further Expanding Energy Storage at Intersolar North America

New ownership will co-locate premier solar + energy storage events in January 2021 to facilitate cross-vertical learnings, collaboration, and partnerships.

Diversified Communications announced the acquisition of Energy Storage North America (ESNA) from producer ESNA EXPO LLC. The investment not only grows Diversified Communications’ portfolio of events for the renewable energy industry but also reinforces its commitment to supporting the new energy economy. In addition to acquiring three of the leading solar + energy storage industry events from the Intersolar portfolio last year, Diversified Communications also owns and operates a 1.5 Megawatt solar farm in Brunswick, Maine.

“Renewable energy production and energy storage is critical to the world’s transition to a low carbon energy system and we continue to be focused on making investments in that space,” commented Oakley Dyer, Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Diversified Communications. “Following the acquisition of Intersolar North America last year and now ESNA, we will be looking for other acquisition opportunities in the near and long-term.”

Over the past two years, energy storage has accounted for more than 30 percent of the exhibition segments at Intersolar North America. During that same period, the conference program has increased the number of educational sessions available to address growing demand.

“We’re excited to add ESNA as a co-located event with Intersolar North America next year,” said Wes Doane, Intersolar North America Event Director. “Their unification reflects the consolidation occurring across the board as the solar, energy storage, and e-mobility industries mature–and improves our competitive advantage in a fast-moving marketplace. ISNA and ESNA attendees will now benefit through access to best-in-class content, an innovative and larger exhibition, and an ever-expanding networking platform.”

“Energy storage is the perfect complement to renewables like solar–and it makes sense to bring together the market makers from both sectors at one convening. We are excited to partner with Diversified Communications for the next stage of ESNA’s growth; their commitment to clean energy and extensive expertise in conference management and education will amplify ESNA’s ability to educate and inspire our stakeholders to advance clean energy market transformation with energy storage,” said Janice Lin, ESNA co-founder and chair. Ms. Lin is also the Founder and CEO of Strategen, a mission-driven professional services company that specializes in impactful market development for a decarbonized grid.

Corporate Solutions of Westport, Connecticut was the exclusive advisor to ESNA EXPO LLC in arranging, structuring and negotiating this transaction.

Energy Storage North America will join Intersolar North America at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA next January 12-14, 2021. Additional information will be released in the weeks to come.

Diversified Communications UK, a DHC Portfolio Company, Acquires Aquaculture UK

February 07, 2020

Diversified Communications announced today the acquisition of Aquaculture UK – the UK’s leading trade show dedicated to the growing aquatic food sector.

Aquaculture UK has grown rapidly in recent years and has become established as the must-attend event for the industry.  The last edition of the biennial show, held in Aviemore, Scotland, in May 2018, had over 2,400 visitors and 190 exhibitors.  The upcoming edition, to be held May 19-21, 2020 at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort in Scotland, is expected to draw over 3,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors.

Commenting on the news, Diversified UK’s MD Carsten Holm says: “It’s great to be welcoming Aquaculture UK to Diversified Communications. We have been watching the growing success of the event and believe that its focus and subject matter complement our already substantial international presence in the sector extremely well. We also feel that the sense of community, customer focus, long-term vision and attention to detail, is very similar to how we approach our events.”

James Banfield, Managing Director of 5M, agrees: “Aquaculture UK’s success reflects the increasing importance and rapid growth of our industry, not just in the UK but internationally. We are delighted to hand over the reins to Diversified. They share our culture, work ethos and ways of doing things and have a deep understanding of the sector. I am confident that the new management can provide the support and structure needed to continue to grow Aquaculture UK in the years to come.  It feels like the perfect home for the event and a natural development, which will ensure the show continues to fulfill its potential and role as the leading forum for the UK’s aquaculture industry.”

Diversified is committed to the broader aquatic industry. Their industry leading, international event and publishing portfolio already includes Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Asia, International Workboat Show, Pacific Marine Expo, National Fisherman, Seafood Source, and Fish e-News, run by the Diversified U.S. division, and Ocean Business, run by the Diversified UK division.

“Aquaculture UK is an exciting development for our award-wining UK division as it continues to grow and strengthen its position as one of the most successful tradeshow organizers in the UK,” remarks Diversified’s President & CEO, Theodore Wirth. “They now employ over 120 staff who are experts at providing their customers with industry insights and business opportunities while facilitating innovation and economic sustainability within the industries they serve. I look forward to seeing their positive influence on this event and the aquatic food industry.”

To ensure continuity for exhibitors and visitors, the 5M team will remain involved and work with Diversified through the 2020 edition of Aquaculture, taking place on the 19 – 21 May 2020 at the Macdonald Resort, Aviemore.

(www.aquacultureuk.com)

DHC Portfolio Company Diversified Communications USA Acquires Intersolar, ees and Power2Drive North America

March 07, 2019

Diversified Communications USA announced today the acquisition of three North American events – Intersolar, ees (electrical energy storage) and Power2Drive North America – from German-based organizers, Solar Promotion International and FMMI.

Diversified also announced that the next Intersolar, ees and Power2Drive North America events, co-located for the past eleven years in San Francisco in July, will move to San Diego Convention Center for February 4-6, 2020.

Diversified owns and operates a 1.5 Megawatt solar farm in Brunswick, Maine. “Our interest in solar stems from our Board of Directors; and growing our own event series in solar and energy storage is an exciting way to further contribute to the renewable energy industry,” said Theodore Wirth, Diversified Holding Co. President and CEO.

According to Dr. Florian Wessendorf, Solar Promotion International’s Managing Director, “With the strong interest shown by Diversified, and their desire to expand into the solar and storage market, it was an ideal time for us to turn over the next phase of growth to their very capable and experienced team.” Wessendorf further explained, “While we’ve created a very strong show in the U.S., we have decided to focus resources on our new The smarter E concept and to grow our presence in the promising markets in Central and South America.”

“We’ve been looking to enter the solar market in a significant way for several years and have been watching Intersolar closely due to their successful worldwide footprint and sterling reputation,” said Diversified Holding Co.’s Corporate Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development, Oakley Dyer. “The time was right for both parties and we are thrilled to bring our depth of expertise in trade show operations to these exciting markets; and perhaps most importantly, bring Diversified’s enthusiasm for solar’s role in the new energy economy.”

Mary Larkin, President of Diversified Communications USA shared, “Our teams are very excited to be a part of the solar and energy storage industries, and for our part in energizing these rapidly growing markets with a world-class event experience. We look forward to meeting all of our new exhibitors and attendees in San Diego in February 2020.”

Since 2008, Intersolar North America has served as the industry’s go-to source for invaluable information and premier networking opportunities to move the North American market forward. Co-located with ees North America, Intersolar North America’s exhibition and conference sits at the cross-section of solar technology, energy storage, and smart renewable energy.

Covering the entire value chain of innovative battery and energy storage technologies, ees North America is the leading exhibition and conference for the electrical energy storage industry. ees North America connects manufacturers, distributors, users and suppliers of stationary and mobile storage products in the epicenter of the U.S. storage market, California.

Power2Drive, the special exhibition for charging infrastructure and electromobility, reflects the opportunities and the necessity of the energy transition in the transportation sector. The focus is on batteries for electric vehicles as well as charging technologies and infrastructure for clean mobility and distributed storage.

Diversified Communications UK, a DHC Portfolio Company, Acquires Tent Exhibitions Ltd, Includes London Design Fair

January 31, 2018

Diversified Communications UK today announced they have acquired Tent Exhibitions Ltd., a UK company that owns London Design Fair and co-located events: Tent London and Super Brands London.

Tent Exhibitions, based in London, has five employees under the company’s founder, Jimmy MacDonald.

“The talented and experienced staff at Tent Exhibitions, including Jimmy MacDonald who will become Group Director, will continue to organize the events out of their office in London,” said Theodore Wirth, president and CEO of Diversified Holding Co. “Tent Exhibitions will come under our Diversified Communications UK umbrella which is headquartered in Brighton with offices in Peterborough, Nailsworth and now London.”

Managing Director of Diversified Communications UK, Carsten Holm added, “We are excited for the Tent Exhibitions’ team and the future of the London Design Fair and co-located events. The strength of the team, the partnership with London Design Festival and the recently added 3,500 m2 exhibit space at the Old Truman Brewery all point to continued growth for the already strong London Design Fair brand.”

The London Design Fair launched in 2005 and is now an established trade and consumer event held over four days. Top trade professionals – architects, design consultants, designers and interior designers, retail buyers, distributors and project managers – attend to see and specify the latest furniture, lighting, textiles, materials and conceptual installations from around the world. In 2017 the event was held at the Old Truman Brewery and featured 550 exhibitors from 36 countries and over 28,000 visitors from 77 countries. Since its launch, the London Design Fair has taken place during the London Design Festival, an annual week-long event that attracts 375,000 visitors and promotes London as the design capital of the world.

DHC Portfolio Company Diversified Communications USA Acquires Drone World Expo – Expands UAV Technology Portfolio in North America

October 25, 2017

Diversified Communications USA announced today at Commercial UAV Expo Americas, that they have acquired Drone World Expo from JDEvents to create the largest and most important commercial drone event in North America.

Diversified continues to acquire within their areas of expertise, expanding their existing portfolios. Earlier this year the company acquired two events in Australia – Naturally Good and Luxperience. This most recent acquisition in the United States builds upon their recent launches in the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) market.

“We continue to invest in the rapidly growing UAS market,” said Theodore Wirth, Diversified Holding Co.’s President and CEO. “Diversified launched Commercial UAV Expo in 2015 and since developed an online platform and launched Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Brussels to provide the necessary domestic and international reach and frequency of news and information. This acquisition is an exciting next step to further facilitate efficient and effective business opportunities for this industry.”

Diversified Communications USA’s Commercial UAV Expo, already a leading brand in the commercial sector in North American, further strengthens its position in the highly competitive US market by uniting with Drone World Expo, another leading commercial UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) event, to create one place for professionals, vendors and buyers to do all their drone business in North America.

“We are looking forward to working with the Commercial Drone Alliance and specifically Gretchen West, Senior Advisor at Hogan Lovells and Co-Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, who has played a vital role as Drone World Expo’s Advisory Board Chair,” said Executive Vice President of Diversified Communications USA, Mike Lodato. “Together we can further the market reach and continue to provide the critical content and business opportunities to the professionals whose workflows are increasingly dependent on drones whether for civil infrastructure, energy, agriculture, construction or emergency response to name a few.”

“On behalf of the Commercial Drone Alliance, and along with my fellow co-executive director, Lisa Ellman, we are thrilled to support this merged event and will continue our focus of bringing the most relevant, timely and critical content to the Commercial UAV Expo with the most prominent decision-makers in our industry. The decision to consolidate events to become the largest and most influential commercial drone event is an important step and allows the community to focus resources on this all-inclusive conference and tradeshow to achieve greater value. We look forward to building off the huge success of the Drone World Expo through our partnership with the Commercial UAV Expo, bringing the same caliber of expert speakers, and creating the most comprehensive drone event to date,” said West.

Diversified Communications UK, a DHC Portfolio Company, Acquires Digital Construction Week

December 03, 2018

Diversified Communications UK announced today the addition of Digital Construction Week to their building, construction and technology portfolio of events. Digital Construction Week is the United Kingdom’s leading trade show dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing, and operation.

This event complements Diversified’s industry leading event portfolio with market reach across four countries. Events include GEO Business in London, Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Amsterdam, DesignBUILD in Sydney, and in the United States: AEC Next Technology Expo & Conference and SPAR 3D in Anaheim, CA; International LiDAR Mapping Forum in Denver, CO; and Commercial UAV Expo Americas in Las Vegas, NV.

“These synergies, in addition to our shared values and commitment to our customers through a long-term vision and industry expertise, make this a perfect fit,” remarked Diversified Holding Co.’s President & CEO, Theodore Wirth. “We are very pleased to welcome the event’s co-founders Luke Collings and Oliver Hughes and their talented show team to our growing UK division, under Managing Director Carsten Holm.”

Digital Construction Week is a growing event, known for its comprehensive, high-quality seminar and conference program and qualified attendees, who return year after year. The latest, and fourth edition, held at ExCeL in London on October 16-17 was the most successful to date. Doubling its 2017 attendance, it attracted 6,500 visitors, 200 exhibitors and 250 speakers, presenting across 6 stages with a dedicated conference stream.

Holm expressed that “having watched the evolving success of Digital Construction Week ever since Luke and Ollie launched it in 2015, we are proud to bring it into Diversified; and excited to provide the additional resources and support that will allow the team to continue to expand the event to further support the professionals and businesses within this growing and evolving industry.”

Including recent acquisitions and a series of new launches, Diversified Communications UK continues to strengthen its position as one of the most successful trade show organizers in the UK. The award-winning UK division of Diversified Communications now employs over 110 staff members and has more than doubled in size over the past three years.

The next Digital Construction Week takes place at ExCeL London on October 17-18, 2019.

DHC acquires Pegasus Solar, LLC and Builds the Largest Municipal Solar Installation in Maine

January 08, 2018

Diversified Holding Co. announced today the completion of a collaborative project with ReVision Energy and Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) to build a solar farm to provide electricity for Brunswick Landing, a progressive and innovative business campus located at the former Naval Air Station Brunswick.

Portland-based ReVision Energy has completed the installation of over 4,500 photovoltaic panels, their largest solar installation to-date in the state of Maine. This new solar system is owned and operated by Pegasus Solar, LLC. The solar energy from this system, along with MRRA’s existing anaerobic digester biogas plant, will produce enough sustainable energy to power nearly the entire Brunswick Landing campus and eliminate over 2,018,800 pounds of CO2 emissions annually. Brunswick Landing is currently home to over 30 companies and features a 3,200 acre property equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, two million square feet of commercial and industrial space, and the Brunswick Executive Airport.

“We were just starting to look for new and meaningful investment opportunities when we learned of this community-based and environmentally impactful project right here in Maine,” said Theodore Wirth, president & CEO of Diversified Holding Co. “Diversified’s primary business is in producing exhibitions and publishing, however as we continue to grow we are diversifying in ways that reflect our values instilled by our Board of Directors.”

Diversified Holding Co.’s Corporate VP of Strategy and Corporate Development, Oakley Dyer added, “ReVision Energy and MRRA have been exceptional partners as we enter into a new market and explore a new business model. Going into 2018, we will continue to look for opportunities to diversify our business, through investments and acquisitions both in Maine and in the other regions where we operate.”

Under a Power Purchase Agreement, Pegasus Solar, LLC will sell the electricity to MRRA, owners of Brunswick Landing, for up to 25 years or until MRRA exercise their option to purchase the system outright.

Diversified and MRRA are hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, January 9th at 9:00am at 15 Terminal Road in Brunswick to celebrate the commissioning of this 1.5 Megawatt solar energy project.

Diversified Communications Australia, a DHC Portfolio Company, Acquires Luxperience

October 05, 2017

Diversified Communications Australia announced today the acquisition of Luxperience, Australia’s only event dedicated exclusively to the business of luxury travel. “As a premium invitation-only hosted buyer model that features awards and networking opportunities, Luxperience is in a great position to understand and continue to service the needs of this growing community,” stated General Manager of Diversified Communications Australia, David Longman.

Luxperience extends Diversified Communications’ travel and transportation portfolio to Australia, complementing their British Tourism & Travel brand. This is the second acquisition in Australia for Diversified in 2017. In June the company acquired Naturally Good Expo to align with Diversified Communications Australia’s Fine Food, FoodPro and FoodTech brands as well as expand their global Natural & Organic Products trade show portfolio.

“We are looking for opportunities such as this that allow us to invest in a variety of business-to-business event models and broaden our portfolios in key markets and regions,” said Theodore Wirth, President & CEO of Diversified Holding Co. “We are very pleased to be acquiring Luxperience from such a talented entrepreneur as Helen Logas, who has developed a strong brand and a successful trade event since its inception in 2012. We are also very pleased to welcome her expert staff to Diversified Communications Australia.”

Diversified Holding Co. continues to expand its event portfolio, through acquisitions and partnerships with entrepreneurs and established media producers.

DHC Portfolio Company Diversified Communications USA Acquires The Running Event from Formula 4 Media, LLC

May 18, 2018

Diversified Communications USA announced today its first U.S. acquisition of 2018. Diversified has purchased The Running Event and its complementary digital magazine, Running Insight from Formula 4 Media, LLC. The Running Event is an exhibition and conference that serves the growing running and fitness market in the U.S. The sale also includes the launch of the 50 Best Running Stores in America, an awards celebration recognizing outstanding retailers in the industry which will be held June 21-23 in Minneapolis, MN alongside the Fleet Feet Annual Franchise Conference.

“In addition to expanding our U.S. event portfolio through launches we have been actively seeking acquisition opportunities within this tight U.S. market,” says Theodore Wirth, President and CEO of Diversified Holding Co. “We were very excited when the owners of Formula 4 Media were open to our initial inquiry and we are now very pleased to be working with them through the 2018 event to ensure a smooth transition.”

The Running Event portfolio will be managed by Executive Vice President, Bill Springer and will operate out of Diversified’s headquarters located in Portland, Maine. Diversified has hired the show’s Event Manager, Christina Henderson and she and Mr. Springer will work with Mark Sullivan and Troy Leonard, two of the current owners, as consultants through the 2018 event.

Springer said, “With Christina’s talent on board, Mark and Troy’s consultancy and our extensive event experience and infrastructure we are looking forward to furthering the event’s mission to support this growing market and more specifically to help the running store owners and executives adapt to changing consumer behavior and continue to increase their profitability.”

“Diversified Communications is the perfect company to help grow and insure the long term success of The Running Event,” said Sullivan. “They have great resources and people and understand the important role the event plays in the running community. The Running Event is in great hands with Diversified.”

Formula 4 Media, LLC launched The Running Event in 2006. It is now the leading event in the industry hosting 255 exhibitors and over 2,500 total attendees in 2017. Diversified Communications will produce the 13th edition which will be held November 27-30, 2018 in Austin, Texas. The four day event is comprised of two days of conference sessions, two days of exhibitions, an opening reception, an awards banquet, retail/vendor arranged meetings, a competitive 5K race for retailers, and several networking opportunities throughout the event. The Running Insight digital magazine provides the necessary year round content and marketing opportunities for running specialty and multi-sport retailers. It features new products, trends and analysis, brand updates, retail profiles and key developments in the market for its 2,500 subscribers.

Diversified continues to seek opportunities for acquisitions and partnerships to expand to serve new markets and support the needs of the markets they currently serve.

Formula 4 Media, LLC was represented by John McGovern of Grimes, McGovern & Associates.

Diversified Communications Australia, a DHC Portfolio Company, Acquires Mumbrella, a Digital Publishing and Event Company

December 22, 2017

Recently, Diversified Communications Australia completed the acquisition of Mumbrella, the leading brand in the digital publishing and marketing industry in Australia. The business is aligned with Diversified Holding Co.’s expansion and diversification plans as well as their growing global portfolio of events, digital products and publications. Mumbrella will operate as an extension of Diversified Communications Australia and will maintain their existing structure, editorial team and its journalistic freedom and integrity.

“We are very excited to welcome Mumbrella’s co-founders Martin Lane and Tim Burrows and the entire Mumbrella staff to Diversified,” said Diversified Communications Australia’s General Manager, David Longman. “Together we are well-positioned to continue to deliver exceptional content and training that will provide the necessary ongoing education within the growing marketing communications space.”

Launched in 2008 as a marketing and media news platform, the Mumbrella brand has grown to a multi-platform business model that includes online news platforms, eNewsletters, and database subscription services as well as conferences and awards events. Firmly established as a go-to source for marketing and communications professionals, this latest acquisition by Diversified Communications is another step towards reaching the company’s goal to diversify their marketing offerings and expand their customer base in Australia.

Following the purchases of Naturally Good Expo and Luxperience, Mumbrella is the third acquisition in Australia for Diversified in 2017.

President & CEO of Diversified Holding Co., Theodore Wirth says, “This is our fourth acquisition this year, our third in Australia, and we continue to seek out opportunities for acquisitions and partnerships with entrepreneurs and established media producers to support the needs of the markets we currently serve and to expand to serve new markets.”