Association Management Company Naylor Acquired by RLJ Equity Partners
December 22, 2013
Gainesville, Fla.-based association management company Naylor was acquired by RLJ Equity Partners from private equity firm Clarity Partners.
Naylor provides customized communication and business services that include a full suite of print and digital media, event management, exchange event and related marketing and business services for almost 500 associations in the United States and Canada.
“Naylor is the leading brand in the outsourced communications and business services marketplace for associations in North America,” said Jerry L. Johnson, managing director of RLJ Equity Partners and the new Chairman of Naylor.
He added, “The company has a longstanding history of providing the most comprehensive and innovative services to its association partners, and we look forward to partnering with CEO Alex DeBarr and his management team to continue improving and evolving Naylor’s offerings.”
RLJ Equity Partners is a Bethesda, Md.-based private equity firm created in 2006 by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies.
RLJ has affiliate operations in Charlotte, N.C.; Little Rock, Ark.; Los Angeles; San Juan, P.R.; and Monrovia, Liberia.
“We are delighted to join forces with RLJ Equity Partners,” said Alex DeBarr, CEO of Naylor.
He added, “Jerry and the RLJ team will provide us great access to human and financial resources. They recognize the great opportunity we have to continue to build our company and our offerings for associations, advertisers and exhibitors through organic expansion and acquisition. And our planning has already begun.”
Naylor will remain headquartered in Gainesville and will maintain its current offices in Atlanta; Fairfax, Va.; Darien, Conn.; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Here are just some of the shows run by Naylor CMG, the company’s events division:
American Food Fair
Builder Exchange 2013
Composites 2013
FIRE
FMI 2014
IANA Intermodal Expo
Motorcoach Expo
NAFA Institute & Expo
National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Industry
NITL TransComp Exhibition
NPE2012
“Our management team, internal structure and overall business will remain intact,” DeBarr said.
He added, “RLJ wants to support our existing strategy for serving the unique needs of associations in the U.S. and Canada and provide the resources to improve the strategy and make sure it gets executed. This is really a win-win for Naylor and our customers and partners.”
Naylor maintains multi-year exclusive contractual relationships with nearly 500 professional societies and trade associations representing more than 110 industries.
The company currently manages nearly 2,000 print and digital media projects, manages 17 trade shows, owns 14 exchange (appointment) events and provides content consulting and marketing services as well.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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