UBM Grows into Mexico with Expo CIHAC Acquisition

May 11, 2014
UBM Grows into Mexico with Expo CIHAC Acquisition alt

Several other trade show organizers already had staked a claim in the fast-growing trade show market in Mexico, and now UBM also has made a major move into the country with the buy of the construction event Expo CIHAC.

UBM bought Expo CIHAC Centro from Impulsor de la Construcción y Habitación A.C. (CIHAC), the Mexican construction industry trade association, which has agreed to continue to support the event.

"We are delighted to have Expo CIHAC as UBM's first tradeshow acquisition in
Mexico,” said Jamie Salazar, managing director, UBM Mexico. “Expo CIHAC builds on UBM's established strategy of acquiring strong events which serve structurally growing markets and communities. We look forward to welcoming the Expo CIHAC team to UBM, and to continuing our close, positive co-operation with the CIHAC association."

Expo CIHAC was launched in 1989 and now is among Mexico's 10 largest tradeshows and the largest serving the infrastructure, construction and housing markets.

The show is held annually in Mexico City at Centro Banamex Ciudad and its exhibitors span the industry including construction materials, machinery, equipment, hand and power tools, prefabricated building systems and technologies, financial services, real estate, insulation and piping.

Expo CIHAC also hosts approximately 30 collocated conference and technical seminars on topical issues.

Last year's 25th edition drew 30,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors, generating revenues of approximately $6.8 million.

Eleven of the business's existing employees will transfer to UBM.

The Mexican construction industry is seeing significant investment driven by growth in the Mexican economy, demand for housing and government infrastructure funding programs.

The Mexican construction industry also is looking to adopt more sustainable construction practices and technologies already in use in Europe, Canada and the U.S., according to UBM officials.

Expo CIHAC fits into UBM’s Built Environment portfolio that includes Negocios Nos Trilhos, the Concrete Show Brasil (whose Mexican edition launches this May) and Ecobuild with an Expo CIHAC/Ecobuild collaboration announced earlier this year.

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