LV trade show operator Miller Freeman USA sold for $650 million

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 11:25 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Dutch publisher VNU NV said Tuesday it agreed to buy Miller Freeman USA, the second largest trade show operator in the United States, for $650 million in cash and stock.

The seller is British media company United News & Media PLC, which said it considers Miller Freeman USA a non-core business. Miller Freeman USA is part of United News' Miller Freeman Inc. subsidiary, one of the world's largest trade show operators.

Miller Freeman USA gets 75 percent of its revenue from trade shows -- some in Las Vegas.

In Las Vegas, the company's focus is on general merchandise shows for wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers.

Some of the largest shows the company conducts are the Las Vegas Merchandise Show, which was held at the Sands Expo Center May 21-25, the Interbike International Bicycle Expo, scheduled Sept. 24-27 at Sands Expo, and the Associated Surplus Dealers/Associated Merchandise Dealers general merchandise show at the Riviera hotel-casino Oct. 31-Nov. 3. The ASD/AMD shows usually draw more than 50,000 people.

Miller Freeman is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in several major convention cities, but not in Las Vegas. When the company conducts shows in Las Vegas convention facilities, in subcontracts work to local show operators, such as GES Exposition Services.