The Expo Group is on a roll with acquisitions. Within the past two weeks, the exhibitions and events provider has announced the purchase of Orlando-based Allied Convention Service, commonly known as Brede/Allied, and Educe, a firm committed to adding value to the events and engagement strategy for higher education institutions.

With the Brede/Allied acquisition, The Expo Group expands its footprint in the southeast and deepens operations to better serve its clients, according to company officials.

“This acquisition expands The Expo Group’s service capabilities in an important region and brings together the top personnel in this business,” said Randy Pekowski, president and chief operating officer for the company. 

Brede/Allied’s Jon Mills will continue his executive and operational role for The Expo Group in Orlando and report directly to Pekowski. Charlie Premone will also be part of the executive team and support employees and clients. Brede Exposition Services will continue in its other five locations under the Brede name.

Both firms have long enjoyed a cooperative business relationship that is expected to continue as The Expo Group integrates Brede/Allied Convention Service Inc. in Orlando. The integration plan spans six months and includes the acquisition of Allied’s 160,000-square-foot facility and marshalling yard. The former Brede/Allied office and warehouse will serve as the southeast distribution center for The Expo Group, which also has distribution centers in Chicago, Irving and Las Vegas.

Allied clients will now have access to The Expo Group’s array of services, including proprietary tools such as Single Source and the ExpoSuite portfolio of technology tools, plus enhanced creative strategy and Level5 Events offerings.

Educe, founded in 2013, has been focused on the need for those advancing higher education to create experiences that ring true and inspire deeper connections. Co-founders JoAnn Peroutka and Sarah Winkler will stay on as vice presidents within The Expo Group’s Level5 Events business, which designs engaging strategic experiences and events.

“We are thrilled to be joining the Level5 Events team and to continue to serve as a strategic partner to our clients,” said Winkler. “By expanding our focus on innovation and capabilities in production technology, we will ensure that we are able to support them at every stage of their advancement efforts – today and tomorrow.”

Pekowski said that integrating the strategic expertise of Educe into Level5 Events is an investment in The Expo Group’s client causes and a commitment to creating transformative experiences.

“This acquisition is a great advancement in bringing together two of the top firms in higher education events,” he stated. “This is our second major acquisition this month and part of our long-term strategy to grow in the right places at the right time with the right people. I am proud of our entire team’s focus on helping people perform at a higher level, which means continual improvement, enhanced technology capabilities and commitment to servant leadership.”

For more information on the acquisitions, go here.

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