Hello!
The events world is buzzing with anticipation for one of the biggest exhibition industry events - IMEX America, which opens doors at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas on Oct 6-9.
If you're going to IMEX and want to learn more about growing your events, stop by and say hello to Rachel and Ian at booth F200 ❄️
Oh yes, we do have some cool updates in our latest weekly Snöcap - here you go:
The headlines this week:
- Easyfairs acquires CHEMUK to consolidate the UK's chemical sectors
- Messe Frankfurt expands portfolio in Central Asia, to organize first-ever technical trade fair in Uzbekistan
- DAHLIA+Agency and Evessio to announce the RuckusMaker winners at IMEX - send your nominations now!
- IAEE's Expo! Expo! offers discounted access to first-time attendees
- Who is hiring?
Easyfairs acquires CHEMUK to consolidate the UK's chemical sectors
Easyfairs has acquired CHEMUK to expand its portfolio of industrial trade shows to serve the United Kingdom's chemical and process engineering industries.
The acquisition adds CHEMUK to Easyfairs' existing events including Lab Innovations, StocExpo, Pumps & Valves and Solids. Financial terms were not disclosed.
CHEMUK launched in 2019 as an annual trade show for chemical sciences, process engineering and chemical industry supply chains. The event attracts professionals from across the chemical and process engineering sectors.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for May 20-21 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Organizers expect more than 5,000 attendees, over 550 exhibitors and 150 speakers.
The event operates five zones: Chemicals Supply Show, Chemical Management Show, Process & Chemical Engineering Show, Chemical Laboratory Show and Formulated Product Manufacturer Show.
Ian Stone, who founded CHEMUK, previously transferred the Advanced Engineering UK event group to Easyfairs in 2015. Stone said Easyfairs was selected for its operational capabilities and event marketing expertise.
Alison Willis, CEO of Easyfairs UK&Global, said the acquisition supports the company's strategy to expand its industrial processing events portfolio.
Messe Frankfurt expands portfolio in Central Asia, to organize first-ever technical trade fair in Uzbekistan
Messe Frankfurt has announced plans to expand its operations in Central Asia with the launch of Intelligent Building Expo 2026, its first technical trade fair in Uzbekistan.
The event will take place May 20-22, 2026, in Tashkent. The trade fair will focus on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water supply, lighting, building automation, security technology and IT security.
"With our trade fair brands Light + Building, ISH and Intersec, Messe Frankfurt has the events relating to building technology, security technology and fire protection in its portfolio," said Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt. "The Intelligent Building Expo will allow us to bring together product areas from all three of these trade fairs."
The expo will serve manufacturers, project developers, architects, engineers and government representatives. It represents the eighth event Messe Frankfurt will organize in Uzbekistan, following Automechanika Tashkent, Comtrux Tashkent, Scalex Tashkent, Heimtextil Uzbekistan, Texworld Tashkent, Apparel Sourcing Tashkent and Beautyworld Central Asia.
Messe Frankfurt will partner with Business Media Central Asia, which holds licenses to conduct the company's events in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in Central Asia. The country hosts more than 57,000 active companies, many in construction, engineering and urban development sectors.
DAHLIA+Agency and Evessio to announce the RuckusMaker winners at IMEX
Move aside, formal industry rewards - because DAHLIA+Agency and Evessio's 'RuckusMaker Awards' are here!
These playful awards will recognize industry professionals who "embrace chaos and get things done," with winners to be announced at the upcoming IMEX America show.
According to the organizers, the awards are aimed at "rule breakers, wild idea makers, and strategists" who challenge conventional thinking in the events industry.
Six categories honor different types of industry disruptors: Future Shaper Award for visionaries, Rule Breaker Award for innovators, Wild Idea Award for creative risk-takers, No-BS Leader Award for direct communicators, and Ultimate Ruckusmaker for the top changemaker.
Evessio has sponsored the Accolade Innovator Award, which recognizes professionals transforming awards through event technology.
The awards seek nominees who "push boundaries instead of playing it safe" and "question the 'we've always done it this way' mindset".
According to DAHLIA+Agency, the initiative celebrates people "who made noise, shifted the game, and left the industry buzzing" rather than focusing on traditional corporate achievements.
Submissions close on September 29, Monday!
IAEE's Expo! Expo! offers discounted access to first-time attendees
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced a program offering discounted registration to show organizers attending Expo! Expo! for the first time.
The Show Organizer First Timer Program provides registration at $299 through Oct. 17 and $499 afterward, compared to the standard member rate of $1,099. The trade show runs Dec. 9-10, 2025.
Participants must be show organizers who have never attended Expo! Expo! and maintain active IAEE membership through January 2026.
The program includes access to learning sessions, the show floor, opening reception and closing event. First-time attendees receive additional programming including a virtual orientation, breakfast on Dec. 9 and reception on Dec. 10.
Participants must attend mandatory events and schedule appointments with at least four exhibitors during show floor hours, including one with Map Your Show.
Who is hiring?
This section highlights the latest job positions in the events and associations industry. Here are some new roles that have opened up:
Informa Markets
Marketing Director - USA Beauty
Cloudflare
Strategic Event Content Manager
The Walt Disney Company
Director, Special Events & Talent Relations
Pixalate
VP of Demand Generation and Events Marketing
Oak View Group
Director of Events
Interested in learning how peer-to-peer marketing can boost your event registrations and audience engagement? Book a chat to know how Snöball can help .
