Cygnus Sells Seven Trade Shows to SouthComm Business Media

November 3, 2014

Cygnus Business Media sold off a significant portion of its trade show portfolio, along with 11 publications and seven related Web sites, to SouthComm Business Media.

The trade show portion of the sale consisted of seven events that included Firehouse Expo; Firehouse World Expo; EMS World Expo; EMS Redline; EMS on the Hill; Officer World; and Secured Cities.

The shows were part of Cygnus’ Public Safety Group. Corporate Solutions of Westport, Conn., represented Cygnus Business Media on the sale. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Five years ago, we embarked on a mission to improve Cygnus and return value to our shareholders,” said Cgynus CEO John French.

He added, “During the last several years, the company has worked hard to turn its properties into multi-platform industry-leading brands because we knew one day the company would be sold. With this sale today, we take another step toward that ultimate goal.”

SouthComm founder and CEO Chris Ferrell said, “We applaud John and his team for the work they’ve done to make these properties industry leaders and profitable. We are excited to add these groups to the SouthComm portfolio of businesses and continue to provide leading content to all of the audiences served by these well-known brands.”

Nashville-based SouthComm was formed in late 2007 and operates a portfolio of print and online properties, as well as a number of local and regional events. 

In August, Cygnus sold its Heavy Construction and Logistics Group to AC Business Media, a new publishing company.

The sale consisted of one trade show – National Pavement Expo – as well as nine publications and related Web sites.

Last year, Cygnus sold its agriculture-related portfolio to the American Farm Bureau Federation, a nonprofit that supports farmers and is based in Washington, D.C.

The purchase included five trade shows: Minnesota Farmfest, Dakotafest, Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, Northern Illinois Farm Show and the IDEAg-branded Interconnectivity Conference.

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