Marketplace Events Completes Largest Acquisition in Company History
Marketplace Events (MPE), one of North America’s leading consumer and trade show organizers, has officially announced the acquisition of the renowned Travel & Adventure Shows, the only consumer-facing travel trade show series operating across the United States.
The transaction, which officially closed on May 1, 2026, marks the largest acquisition in Marketplace Events’ history and signals a major strategic move to strengthen its position in the rapidly expanding travel, adventure, and outdoor experiential event sector.
The deal adds one of the most recognized travel-focused event portfolios in the U.S. to MPE’s already extensive exhibitions network and opens new opportunities for growth across one of the most resilient and evolving categories in live events.
Expanding a Powerful North American Event Portfolio
The acquisition further solidifies Marketplace Events’ standing as one of North America’s dominant event organizers.
MPE currently manages an impressive portfolio of 125 shows across more than 50 markets throughout the continent, attracting over 2.2 million attendees and approximately 30,000 exhibitors annually.
With the addition of the Travel & Adventure Shows, Marketplace Events significantly broadens its presence in the travel and tourism events category, which has experienced strong momentum as consumer demand for experiential travel, outdoor exploration, and destination-based tourism continues to accelerate worldwide.
The integration gives Marketplace Events direct access to a highly engaged audience of travel enthusiasts, tourism boards, destination marketers, travel advisors, and adventure-focused brands.
Travel & Adventure Shows to Continue as Independent Division
Despite becoming part of Marketplace Events, the Travel & Adventure Shows brand will continue to operate as a distinct business unit within the organization.
Jonathan Golicz will lead the division as Vice-President, ensuring continuity and preserving the event brand’s identity, operational excellence, and long-established market positioning.
The entire Travel & Adventure Shows team will transition into Marketplace Events as part of the acquisition, helping maintain relationships with exhibitors, sponsors, partners, and attendees while ensuring a seamless transition into the next phase of growth.
This approach reflects Marketplace Events’ strategy of preserving the unique strengths of acquired brands while enhancing their reach through stronger infrastructure, marketing capabilities, and operational support.
A Proven Event Portfolio Across Major U.S. Cities
The Travel & Adventure Shows portfolio includes 10 highly successful consumer events that collectively attract more than 150,000 attendees and 2,500 exhibitors every year.
These long-running events have built strong reputations in key metropolitan markets including:
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Washington, D.C.
- Dallas
- Denver
- Phoenix
- San Francisco Bay Area
In addition to its established footprint, the brand successfully launched two new shows in 2026 in South Florida and Seattle, demonstrating sustained market demand and strong expansion potential.
These recent launches were widely viewed as evidence that consumer appetite for travel discovery events remains robust, even as digital platforms continue to reshape tourism marketing.
Founder Reflects on 23-Year Journey
John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm and founder of the Travel & Adventure Shows, described the acquisition as a natural next chapter after more than two decades of building the business.
Golicz said Unicomm had spent 23 years transforming the Travel & Adventure Shows into America’s leading travel exhibition series and that Marketplace Events offered the ideal platform to accelerate future growth.
He noted that after meeting with Mark White and the MPE leadership team, it became immediately clear that Marketplace Events was the right strategic partner to guide the event series into its next era.
According to Golicz, the company’s scale, operational expertise, and market reach provide the resources needed to elevate the shows while preserving the community and stakeholder relationships built over decades.
Strategic Growth for the Live Events Industry
The acquisition highlights a broader trend of strategic consolidation across the global exhibitions and live events industry.
As consumer interests continue shifting toward immersive, experience-driven events, organizers are increasingly seeking to diversify portfolios and strengthen specialized verticals that offer high engagement and long-term growth potential.
For Marketplace Events, entering deeper into the travel and adventure sector provides exposure to one of the most dynamic categories in consumer exhibitions.
The move also positions the company to capitalize on rising travel demand, stronger destination marketing investments, and increasing interest in personalized travel experiences.
A New Chapter for Travel Events in North America
With Marketplace Events now backing the Travel & Adventure Shows, the future appears bright for one of America’s most established travel event brands.
The acquisition not only strengthens Marketplace Events’ North American leadership but also sets the stage for continued innovation, geographic expansion, and enhanced attendee experiences.
As live events continue evolving, this landmark deal underscores the enduring value of face-to-face engagement in connecting consumers with meaningful travel opportunities and unforgettable experiences.
