The National Grocers Association (NGA) and Clarion Events announced a new partnership as Clarion Events takes an equity stake in the NGA Show. According to the company, this new joint venture will serve to ensure future growth and success for what has become one of the top trade show events in the food industry.
The partnership will add “significant resources that will enable new growth within the NGA Show, while at the same time ensuring the NGA Show will continue to be the place ‘where independents gather,’” the association said during their annual Show in Las Vegas.
The partnership was approved by the NGA’s board of directors and will be a smooth transition with the NGA remaining an active owner. The NGA will continue to work closely with the NGA Show to make sure that those attending the show will enjoy all the great educational programming and popular events that have come to define the annual show, while also using the resources, technologies and expertise from Clarion Events. This also includes expanding the size and offerings for attendees on the EXPO floor.
“Over the past five years the NGA Show has seen record breaking growth thanks to strong educational programming, best in class networking opportunities, and sold out EXPO floor that have made attending the NGA Show one of the best value propositions around,” said Peter Larkin, President and CEO of the NGA, in a press release. “With Clarion Event’s investment in the NGA Show we have the opportunity to increase that value proposition, particularly on the EXPO floor, while continuing to maintain the special experience that we have created for NGA members and attendees. We’re thrilled to bring the food industry to San Diego in 2019 for a world class food industry event that retailers and suppliers can’t afford to miss,” said Larkin.
Retail and Wholesale Record Level Attendance at The 2018 NGA Show
The NGA is show is one of many event partnerships with Clarion
“We value the association partnerships we have formed in our event portfolio. Our approach is focused on building strong, long lasting relationships with our association partners to provide strategic support and fuel growth for their events,” said Greg Topalian, CEO of Clarion UX. “Our collaborative approach combined with our extensive team experience have created both successful and productive business results. We look forward to delivering new opportunities for growth for NGA and their members in this dynamic market.”
The NGA show will be one of many association event partnerships with Clarion UX, which partners with other associations and sponsorships including: PlayFair (Toy Industry Association), The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York (NY Restaurant Association), Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show (Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association), Western Foodservice Show (California Restaurant Association) and Halloween & Party Expo (Halloween Industry Association).
Clarion, the largest independent event organizer in the UK, operates over 200 events in 20 countries. It entered the US market in 2015 through acquiring majority ownership of the Georgia-based Urban Expositions, now known as Clarion UX.