Exhibitions and Trade Fairs Pty Limited (ETF) is set to become part of the Staging Connections group following the signing of an agreement to acquire the business between Staging Connections’ parent company, AAV Limited and ETF’s owner, ACP Magazines.

According to Bill Davidson, Managing Director of Staging Connections, the acquisition of ETF is part of the

company’s ongoing strategy of moving into adjacent markets, and expanding its geographical reach.

“ETF has an established reputation spanning over twenty five years as a leading exhibition organiser and manager specialising in trade shows and consumer exhibitions. As a result of the ETF acquisition, we take on some very talented staff, a well established exhibition business, and a range of synergistic opportunities for Staging Connections’ Australasian operations,” Bill said.

ETF specialises in developing, managing and organising both trade shows and consumer exhibitions.

Some of ETF’s 2006 shows include:

• The Fishing Show and Outdoors Expo
• National 4x4 Show
• Sydney on Sale
• ENTECH
• Australian International Motor Show
• Sydney Motorcycle Show

ETF’s major shows for 2007 include ACE, Auspack and the prestigious triennial International Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). ETF has been involved with the LNG event when it was appointed to manage LNG 12 in Perth in 1998 and has continued with ETF’s organisation and management of LNG 13 in Korea, LNG 14 in Qatar and the LNG 15 show in 2007 in Barcelona.

As part of the Staging Connections group, ETF Managing Director, Ben Ashton and his strong management team will continue to focus on growing ETF’s trade show and consumer exhibitions business.

The acquisition of ETF is expected to be formalized by 1 September 2006.

The ETF announcement follows news earlier this year that Staging Connections had established two separate offshore operations; ETG Staging Connections in China and Venue Services operations at three leading Fijian hotels and resorts.