EasyFairs has acquired UK-based specialist exhibition organiser StocExpo for an undisclosed sum and signalled more purchases are in the pipeline. 

StocExpo has been running events focused on the bulk liquid storage sector since 2005. These run under the Storage Terminal Operators’ Conference and Exhibition (StocExpo) brand in Antwerp and Rotterdam annually and are complemented by three other international events – Tank Storage Canada, Tank Storage Asia (in Kuala Lumpur) and Tank Storage Istanbul.
 
The next StocExpo will run at Ahoy, Rotterdam from 13 to 15 March 2012. Last year’s event attracted 160 exhibitors and 1,554 visitors.
 
EasyFairs UK and Ireland MD Matt Benyon (pictured) told EN the acquisition was one in a series planned by the organiser in coming months. As part of the deal, EasyFairs has taken on StocExpo’s international sales and marketing manager Sharé Mason and is looking to recruit another 3-4 staff.
 
StocExpo founder and MD Peter Patterson has also signed a 10-year agreement with EasyFairs to promote the show through his media company Horseshoe Media, which owns several trade titles such as Tank Storage magazine.
 
The trade exhibitions will continue to run out of the UK under Benyon’s leadership.
 
“StocExpo fits perfectly with our industry shows such as the Solids European series and Pumps and Valves,” EasyFairs CEO Jean-Francois Quentin said. “We also see great opportunities to develop this well-respected brand.”
 
Patterson said he was proud to see StocExpo earn its place as the leading international event for the bulk liquid storage sector.
 
“We are confident that EasyFairs, with its international presence and successful business model, is the right company to take the show to the next level,” he said.
 
EasyFairs has also announced a tranche of exhibition launches over the next 12 months internationally, the majority of which are in Europe.

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