Trade Show News

Emerald Holding, the owner of Outdoor Retailer, is set to be acquired by Apollo Global Management in a deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion. This acquisition comes just months before Outdoor Retailer's pivotal relaunch in Minneapolis in August 2026, which aims to reinvent the trade show with new concepts.

Emerald Holding, the owner of Outdoor Retailer, is set to be acquired by Apollo Global Management in a transaction valuing the company at approximately $1.5 billion. This acquisition comes just months before Outdoor Retailer's planned relaunch in Minneapolis in August 2026, a pivotal moment for the trade show. The deal aims to combine Emerald with Questex to create a major North American B2B events and media platform.

Minnesota's tourism industry generated a $24.7 billion economic impact, with New Ulm reporting $19.1 million in visitor spending over the last 12 months, including $7.2 million in hotel stays. Local events and construction projects are contributing to a strong lodging business in the region.

Minneapolis is experiencing a financial crisis with declining property tax revenue, franchise fees, and license and permit fees, prompting Mayor Frey to address difficult budget choices for 2027. This economic downturn, marked by a $9 million drop in property tax revenue, could impact various city services and downtown vibrancy.

Meet Minneapolis recognized the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) with the Excellence in Meetings, Events & Conventions Award for its over 30-year commitment to hosting its Annual Leadership Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This award highlights MSBA's positive and lasting impact on the city's tourism and hospitality economy.

Matthew Mathiasen has been named the group show director for Outdoor Retailer, bringing nearly 20 years of experience to the role ahead of the August 19-21 trade show in Minneapolis. This appointment is part of a broader industry trend of new hires and promotions.

Private equity firm Apollo has acquired Emerald, the parent company of Outdoor Retailer, for $1.5 billion and Questex, combining them into a scaled B2B events operator. This deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026 and will impact the broader trade show industry, including events like Outdoor Retailer which is relocating to Minneapolis.

Matthew Mathiasen has been named the group show director for Outdoor Retailer, bringing nearly 20 years of experience to the role ahead of the August 19-21 trade show in Minneapolis. Emerald, Outdoor Retailer's parent company, is also launching the "Make It Yours" campaign and expanding its Hosted Buyer program for the 2026 show.

The AGC CLC Leadership Development Conference, designed for emerging construction leaders, will be jointly hosted with the AGC of Minnesota chapter. This two-day event focuses on leadership growth, networking, and best-practice sharing within the construction industry.

Outdoor Retailer, a leading U.S. business event for the outdoor industry, has appointed Matthew Mathiasen as its new group show director as it prepares for its August 2026 debut in Minneapolis. Mathiasen will lead the show's evolution, focusing on strengthening industry connections and enhancing the attendee experience in its new host city.

The Open Source Summit North America is scheduled to take place from May 18-20, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. RISC-V International will be present at the event, which brings together the open-source community.

The Minnesota Structural Engineers Association (MNSEA) will host its Annual Seminar and Trade Show on May 12, 2026, at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The event offers exhibitors promotional opportunities and over two hours of interaction time with seminar attendees.

The Minneapolis Remodeling Expo is scheduled to take place from May 8-10, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center - Exhibit Hall E. This event connects homeowners with remodeling and building experts in the Minneapolis area.

The Minneapolis Remodeling Expo 2026 is scheduled to take place from May 8-10, 2026, at Exhibit Hall E of the Minneapolis Convention Center. This event focuses on home remodeling and design, offering attendees insights and resources for their projects.

The Midwest Management Summit is scheduled for May 3-7, 2026, in Bloomington, MN, near Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for several projects, including a Minneapolis Convention Center Curtain Lifting Machine and Minneapolis Convention Center Freight Elevator Modernization. These opportunities indicate upcoming improvements and maintenance for the convention center facilities.

The Minneapolis Convention Center is set to undergo a nearly $14.5 million facelift over two years to enhance client "relationship building" and improve efficiency and flexibility. The project aims to make the venue more welcoming, convenient, and environmentally friendly, including displaying art from local artists.