Urban Expositions Acquires Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN) Apparel Show

August 26, 2015

Urban Expositions has acquired Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN) trade show from Specialty Trade Shows, Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The ownership transition began immediately following the Aug. 17-20 edition of the semi-annual womenswear apparel trade show held at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

"We've known Roland Timney and the Specialty Trade Show team for many years and have long admired their customer service focus and management style," said Doug Miller, president and CEO, Urban Expositions.

He added, "The opportunity to continue working with Roland and Chad in this new capacity is especially exciting - allowing us to call upon our shared strengths and different areas of expertise -- to build upon WWIN's strong foundation and expand new business opportunities for attendees and exhibitors alike."

As part of the transition strategy, WWIN show founder Roland Timney and his son Chad Timney will remain involved in the day-to-day management of the show.

Chad Timney has been named show director and Roland Timney will oversee the back end and other business elements of the show.

In addition, Dirk von Gal, Urban's current vice president of Gift, expands his responsibilities to assume the new role of Vice President of WWIN.

"The Urban acquisition offers the best of both worlds for WWIN," said Roland Timney, who founded the show in 1998 with Jeff Yunis.

He added, "Chad and I will remain actively involved in the show, while entrusting ownership to a company with a hands-on management style, commitment to customer service and overall way of doing business that very much mirrors our own. I can assure all of our customers that Urban Expositions is the perfect company to help us take WWIN to the next level." 

Urban now assumes all management duties for WWIN, including sales, marketing, operations and other day-to-day duties for the Feb. 15-18, 2016, edition and all future shows.

Held semi-annually at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, WWIN attracts nearly 7,000 womenswear buyers from around the country and internationally. These retailers come to explore the offerings from 500-plus exhibiting companies showcasing a full selection of traditional, contemporary, missy, petite, plus and tall resources, as well as hundreds of accessory lines with everything from shoes to hats, purses, jewelry, belts and scarves.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to take over the reins of such a successful, well-respected show as WWIN," said Dirk von Gal, vice president, Urban Expositions.

He added, "Like Roland and Chad, we view our relationship with our trade show customers as a true partnership. We are looking forward to meeting with, and gathering feedback from, WWIN's many loyal exhibitors and attendees to ensure that we continue to improve their show experience for years to come."

Add new comment

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.