TPMG acquires US brand Meetings Today

FORUM MEDIA GROUP’s American subsidiary Trade Press Media Group (TPMG), a market-leading, growth-oriented B2B media company headquartered in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, has acquired Meetings Today. Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Meetings Today serves the meetings and events industry by providing essential information to North American event planners for successful global events. With an acquisition closing date of July 31, 2024, Meetings Today has officially become a part of TPMG’s suite of brands on August 1, 2024.

“At TPMG, we recognize that Meetings Today is a brand with a vibrant market and a significant growth trajectory,” said Jill McDermott, General Manager at TPMG. “We are looking to expand and diversify our brand portfolio, offering more solution-based products and digital opportunities. Moreover, this is an exciting opportunity for our existing employees with each department at TPMG expected to grow.”

A top publisher in facilities management, commercial cleaning, and freight rail industries, TPMG publishes six print magazines, one digital magazine, four websites, daily newsletters, membership programs, virtual and live events and a professional certification program. Founded in 1915, TPMG has been a subsidiary of FORUM MEDIA GROUP since 2018. FORUM’s other North America subsidiaries include Kenilworth Media in Toronto, Canada and Gemba Academy in Keller, Texas.

“We are excited for the future ahead as we look forward to joining the Trade Press Media Group,” said Jim Krotz, Vice President of Meetings Today. “Their expertise and longevity in B2B publishing will help us continue developing as a leading hospitality brand to become even more successful for our clients and readers of Meetings Today. The opportunities and future for our brand will be elevated as we become part of the Trade Press Media Group family.”

Top brand in the meetings and event industry

Ranked among the top three media companies in the United States for the meetings and events industry, Meetings Today publishes nine print and digital magazines as well as an e-newsletter, a podcast, four live events per year, an ehandbook and awards programs, and lead generation tools. The brand is more than a hundred years old and was previously owned by Stamats Communications, Inc., a full-service marketing firm headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a focus on higher education, healthcare, and B2B marketing.

“Following the significant downturn experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, Meetings Today rebounded to far surpass its 2019 results. This transaction will position the brand for continued growth in a highly competitive industry through Trade Press Media Group’s sole focus on B2B media,” said Peter Stamats, President and CEO of Stamats Communications, Inc. “Trade Press Media Group is the right fit with the right culture for Meetings Today.”

Meetings Today is also responsible for planning events, choosing locations, hiring caterers and coordinating with all other vendors to ensure a successful event. Event themes include corporate events (conferences and seminars), product launches, training, celebrations, fundraising and non-profits, sporting events, and executive retreats.

Seamless transition

“All of us at Meetings Today are so excited to join the Trade Press Media Group family,” said Tyler Davidson, Vice President and Chief Content Director of Meetings Today. “Our company values and shared foundation of placing our audience at the forefront is making the transition from Stamats seamless. We’re looking forward to the additional resources Trade Press Media Group will bring that will take our efforts to a new level. While you may not notice a lot of changes right off the bat, since the core Meetings Today team is coming over in the transition, stay tuned for some exciting new developments in the future.”

With a staff of 16, Meetings Today will continue to operate out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa while making TPMG their new headquarters. For more information about TPMG, visit tradepress.com, and for more information about Meetings Today, visit meetingstoday.com.