CLEVELAND -- March 4, 2014 -- Marketplace Events, North America's largest home show producer, announced today it has purchased two annual home shows in Raleigh, N.C. from American Consumer Shows (ACS). Both shows, one in the spring and the other in the fall, are held at the Raleigh Convention Center. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This latest expansion for Marketplace Events comes on the heels of last month's announced launch of the NOLA Home Show in New Orleans in January 2015, the successful launch last October of the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) in Orlando, and the recent acquisition of three home shows in Kansas City from Pat Riha Productions. The Raleigh purchase will expand the company's footprint in the Southeast U.S. and brings the Marketplace Events portfolio to a current total of 37 home shows in 22 different markets.

"We're very pleased to be in Raleigh; it's a major growth and strategic opportunity for our company," said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events. "Raleigh is the fourth fastest-growing U.S. metro area---a region with great traditions, robust corporations, a highly educated workforce, and rising home values... all alongside booming new home construction. The bottom line is it's a great market for the type of home shows we produce: large scale, and high quality."

Since the Raleigh Convention Center opened in 2008, the two annual Raleigh Home Shows have been destinations for home and garden enthusiasts. The shows will remain at this new downtown venue, where the shows have ample room to grow and mature.

"Over the past six years, my staff at ACS did an excellent job of establishing these shows," said Craig Gitlitz, CEO of American Consumer Shows. "I fully expect that in short order Marketplace Events will take them to a different level."

"Knowing the proven track record of Marketplace Events, we have no doubt that these events will deliver vibrant marketplaces and quickly become the preeminent home shows in the Raleigh market," said Doug Grissom, Assistant Director at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The fall show will be held September 5-7, 2014. The spring show is February 13-15, 2015.

Media Contact:
Lisa Kropf, CRO
866.463.3663 x3
lisa@marketplaceevents.com