Diversified Communications has acquired Aquaculture UK, a trade show focused on the aquaculture sector in the United Kingdom.
The biennial expo is slated to take place 19 to 21 May, 2020, at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort in Scotland. In a press release announcing the acquisition, Diversified said it expects more than 3,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors at the next edition of the expo.
“It’s great to be welcoming Aquaculture UK to Diversified Communications,” Diversified UK Managing Director Carsten Holm said. “We have been watching the growing success of the event and believe that its focus and subject matter complements 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.”
The event was owned by 5M, and the 5M team previously involved in operating the show will remain involved through the 2020 edition of the expo, Diversified said.
Diversified Communications UK is part of Portland, Maine, U.S.A.-based Diversified Communications, which operates exhibitions and conferences and digital and print publications including 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; SeafoodSource; and Fish eNews. Diversified UK has more than doubled in size in the past three years and now employs more than 120 staff.
“Aquaculture UK’s success reflects the increasing importance and rapid growth of our industry, not just in the UK but internationally. We have tried to make sure the show matches the enthusiasm and innovation of our sector and that we continue to provide a forum for our industry’s vision, investment and focus,” 5M Managing Director James Banfield said. ““We are delighted to hand over the reins to Diversified Communications. 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 that will ensure the show continues to fulfil its potential and role as the leading forum for the UK’s aquaculture industry. This is a really exciting development and is great news for the event.”
