UBM acquires BJI, organizer of AccessoriesTheShow, Stitch and other fashion trade shows.

UBM, the parent company of License! Global, Licensing Expo and MAGIC, has acquired Business Journals Inc., a producer of fashion trade shows in New York and Las Vegas, for $69 million in cash.

BJI serves the men's apparel and women's apparel and accessories markets under the trade shows AccessoriesTheShow, EDIT, FAME, Moda, MRket and Stitch.  BJI also operates several websites and publications serving the fashion sector.

BJI is complementary to UBM's existing fashion trade show portfolio and the combination is expected to provide an improved experience for both attendees and exhibitors and generate synergies in areas such as event operations, property and cross-marketing opportunities.  

The business will be integrated into the UBM Americas Fashion Group under managing direction Chris DeMoulin. (DeMoulin previously led UBM's licensing business, which includes License! Global, Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe.)

"We are delighted to have acquired BJI. This transaction is very much in line with our Events First strategy," says Tim Cobbold, chief executive officer, UBM. "It adds to our presence in North America and also in the fashion sector, both of which were already strong following UBM's acquisition of Advanstar at the end of 2014. We see excellent opportunities to deliver an improved experience for customers and to realize the operational benefits which scale will bring."