Snöcap July 18, 2025
Snöball correspondent
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Hello and what's up, everyone? Ready for the new roundup of the top stories from the world of exhibitions and associations? Here's the latest Snöcap!
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The top event stories that made waves:
- Hyve acquires Behavioral Health Tech to deepen presence in health space
- NürnbergMesse posts record-breaking sales of €368 million in 2024
- Europe Congress unveils 2026 MICE event calendar
- Abilities Expo reports 62% jump in revenue since Raccoon acquisition in 2024
- Know your event venue chef - how to ensure inspiring meals at your shows
- Who is hiring?
Hyve acquires Behavioral Health Tech to deepen presence in health space
Hyve Group plc has acquired Behavioral Health Tech, marking the company's fourth acquisition in 12 months as it expands its healthcare portfolio.
The acquisition brings Hyve into the behavioral health sector, adding to its existing healthcare properties including HLTH US, HLTH Europe and ViVE. The deal supports Hyve's GO27 strategy, a three-year growth plan.
Behavioral Health Tech connects behavioral health payors, health systems, providers and digital health companies across the United States. Founded in 2020 by Solome Tibebu, the company operates a community for behavioral health leaders.
"What's exciting about this event is the founder energy behind it," said Mark Shashoua, Hyve's chief executive officer. "It's loved by its community, has real momentum, and we're extremely proud to bring it into our portfolio."
Behavioral Health Tech drew more than 2,000 delegates in 2024. Hyve expects attendance to grow 25% this year. Participants include Microsoft, Salesforce, BetterHelp, Headspace and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
Tibebu will continue to lead the brand. Hyve plans to implement centralized practices and hosted meeting programs starting in 2026, with opportunities for international expansion.
"Creating Behavioral Health Tech is deeply personal for me," Tibebu said. "I couldn't think of a better home than Hyve."
The next Behavioral Health Tech event will take place Nov. 11-13, 2025, in San Diego.
NürnbergMesse posts record-breaking sales of €368 million in 2024
NürnbergMesse Group reported sales revenue of €368m in 2024, marking the company's highest annual performance and surpassing pre-pandemic levels in its 50th anniversary year.
The German exhibition company organized 154 events worldwide in 2024, drawing 33,196 exhibitors and 1.6m visitors across 1.2m square meters of display space. The company invested €100m in infrastructure, digitalization and event portfolio expansion.
CEO Peter Ottmann said the company expects consolidated revenue of €350m in 2025, which would be the highest for an odd-numbered year in company history despite fewer scheduled events.
2024 Financial Performance
- Revenue: €367.8m (2023: €265.1m)
- EBITDA: €56.8m (2023: €28.4m)
- Year-end result: €23.6m
- Events organized: 154 (2023: 177)
- Exhibitors: 33,196 (2023: 28,135)
- Visitors: 1.6m (2023: 1.3m)
Revenue Breakdown
- NürnbergMesse and partner events: 40%
- MesseService and domestic subsidiaries: 25%
- International subsidiaries: 18%
- Guest events and NürnbergConvention: 17%
The company's €100m investment included photovoltaic systems on exhibition halls, battery storage capacity of 7 MWh, and 119 electric charging stations. Additional solar panels will be installed on Halls 7A and 12 in 2025.
Europe Congress unveils 2026 MICE event calendar
Europe Congress announced its 2026 event calendar featuring six forums across the continent for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry professionals.
"We're thrilled to announce this powerhouse calendar for 2026 and to be able to bring back Events Club Life Sciences Forum for the second year," said Alain Pallas, Managing Director of Europe Congress.
The 2026 schedule includes:
- MCE Central & Eastern Europe - Feb. 8-10, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Events Club Associations Forum - March 8-10, Budapest, Hungary
- MCE North & West Europe - April 12-14, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Events Club Life Sciences Forum - June 7-9, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Events Club Forum - Aug. 30-Sept. 1, Prague, Czech Republic
- MCE South Europe - Oct. 18-20, Valencia, Spain
Abilities Expo reports 62% jump in revenue since Raccoon acquisition in 2024
Abilities Expo reported a 62% increase in sponsorship and exhibition revenue following its acquisition by UK-based Raccoon Media Group in January 2024.
The disability community trade show, founded in 1979, serves seven U.S. cities and attracts more than 30,000 annual attendees.
Managing Director Katy Roberts attributed growth to expanded exhibitor segments and marketing changes. The company introduced an onsite rebook system generating $1.25 million in its first year.
Key Performance Metrics:
- Revenue: +62%
- Exhibitors: +69%
- Attendees: +68%
- Event footprint: +62%
- Visitor satisfaction: NPS 32 to 54
- Exhibitor satisfaction: NPS 38 to 44
Raccoon plans to launch Abilities International Accessibility Conferences in 2026 alongside existing expos.
Read the full interview on TSNN
Know your event venue chef - how to ensure inspiring meals at your shows
The latest event planning guidance from Northstar Meetings Group covers how meeting planners can work directly with venue chefs to create meals beyond standard event menus.
Industry experts recommend direct collaboration with chefs rather than relying solely on venue sales teams. Tracy Stuckrath, founder of Thrive! Meetings & Events, advises initiating chef conversations when contracts are signed.
"Getting off on that right foot is asking to talk to the chef personally and directly," Stuckrath said. "We have so many questions we need to be able to ask them."
Chef Dustin Ward of Bold Catering & Design in Atlanta said planners increasingly seek direct communication. "The more information they have, the more information I have, and we produce a better event."
Key Strategies
- Menu Tastings: Ward said tastings create partnerships where planners sample all options, including allergen-free dishes
- Inclusive Design: Chefs can create allergen-friendly dishes using Mediterranean or Indian cuisines that appeal to all guests
- Equitable Service: Venues should serve guests with dietary restrictions simultaneously with other attendees
- Historical Data: Sharing past event data helps chefs plan accurately and reduces waste. Stuckrath uses five years of data showing only 50 percent of one group's attendees eat breakfast and lunch
The guidance comes from a Northstar webinar featuring industry professionals discussing event menu strategies.
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:
OpenAI
Workplace Events Manager
Uber for Business
Events Specialist
Raccoon Media Group
Sales Manager
JPMorganChase
Senior Events Planner, Vice President
The Digital Chamber
Events Coordinator
Pure Storage
Global Events Manager
Stryker
Specialist, Trade Shows (Remote)
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