SPASA Australia acquires SPLASH! magazine and expo
Year in Review: In August 2017, the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia (SPASA Australia) acquired the SPLASH! brand from The Intermedia Group (TIG) and Interpoint Events (IE).
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The acquisition by Australia’s peak swimming pool and spa industry body will take effect immediately. It includes both SPLASH! magazine and the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show.
The magazine and trade show will operate exactly as before in a seamless transition of ownership. Key staff will remain in place including Chris Maher as managing editor of the print and digital titles, and editorial independence will remain in place.
Additionally, TIG and IE will continue to oversee the publication of the magazine and the organisation of the show under a consultancy agreement, ensuring the same standards continue to apply to both entities, with Simon Cooper maintaining similar roles to those held previously.
“Continuity is paramount for the media brand, with management contracts in place with TIG and IE to ensure the operational effectiveness of the brand is maintained seamlessly,” says Lynley Papineau, Chairman of SPASA Australia.
“Staff will deliver business as usual and editorial independence will be maintained, with national sales manager Karen Jaques, managing editor Chris Maher and managing director/publisher Simon Cooper, working side by side with TIG, IE and SPASA,” she says.
United industry
Papineau says SPASA Australia's vision has always been to create a united industry working together across Australia to help promote and support members.
“It is without doubt that SPLASH! holds the largest and most attended industry exhibition in the country along with their successful magazine publication. We completed an extensive due diligence process and I would like to thank Lindsay and the board members of SPASA Australia for the professionalism and time they have invested in looking after the interests of members and bringing this acquisition to reality,” said Papineau.
She says the opportunity was made possible due to the merger of SPASA QLD, SA and NSW/ACT and combining the assets of the entities.
“There are exciting times ahead we are looking forward to working with TIG and IE to build on the success that they have created in the SPLASH! brand.”
Key element of integrated strategy
Over the past 20 years, the SPLASH! brand has developed to become the premier expo, magazine and digital platform for the Australasian recreational water trade.
Following the announcement last month of a strategic alliance with Pool+Spa magazine, the acquisition forms the next step in SPASA’s plan to create a more integrated and unified communication platform for the pool and spa industry.
CEO of SPASA Lindsay McGrath says the acquisition is part of SPASA’s integrated strategy and delivers on a key objective – to engage more with members while expanding the brand’s exposure to a larger audience.
“Following our recent alliance with Pool+Spa media, the acquisition of SPLASH! is a natural progression for us as it increases our skill set, expands our communication reach and provides another collaborative model to shape the industry,” says McGrath.
He says SPASA Australia’s overall plan is to increase the volume of pool builds, further promote pool and spa use, and improve the overall enjoyment pool and spa owners gain from their assets.
“To achieve that outcome we need an engaged, financially viable and well-marketed association,” he says.
“SPLASH! provides a key component in our strategy, supplying a solid platform for communication to our increasingly professional industry.”
He says the acquisition shows that SPASA is financially strong and able to use that strength to improve outcomes for members and the industry as a whole.
“SPLASH! is a highly successful commercial enterprise, now coming under the peak industry umbrella. Future profits will go to supporting SPASA members, directly improving industry sustainability and growth.”
Acquisition further helps industry
Simon Cooper, IE managing director, has been the publisher of the magazine and organiser of the trade show since the brand was acquired in 2005.
“SPLASH! has always strongly supported the industry and encouraged its growth,” says Cooper.
“The print magazine and digital platform have been at the forefront of communicating with and informing the industry, while the trade show has become the major event for industry members from around the country and the region to network, conduct business, gain knowledge and celebrate their successes.”
Interpoint has always worked closely with the state SPASA associations and more recently with SPASA Australia. At the most recent trade show, the extensive education program included a series of SPASA Australia workshops and seminars amongst the two full days of educational seminars and technical workshops, and for the second time the SPASA Australia National Awards Gala was held at the show.
“Now there is a national body set up to promote the industry, it makes sense for it to run its own event,” says Cooper.
“SPLASH! has an international reputation having held events in New Zealand and Singapore, and together with SPASA Australia we can continue to grow and support the pool and spa industry even more. We are very excited about the future of the brand.”
For more information contact:
Lindsay McGrath
CEO SPASA Australia
(08) 8364 4211; 0467 727 228
Simon Cooper
Managing Director, Interpoint Events
(02) 8586 6105
About SPASA:
The Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd (SPASA Australia) is Australia’s peak swimming pool and spa industry body. It is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards and growth within the swimming pool and spa industry for the betterment of members, consumers and the industry in general. It achieves national benefits, delivered locally, and represents all sectors of the industry.
About SPLASH!:
SPLASH! is the premier expo, magazine and digital platform for the Australasian recreational water trade. Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary, it provides timely, engaging content for the industry through its print and digital publications; and brings thousands of people together for their mutual benefit at the award winning pool and spa trade shows.
About TIG:
The Intermedia Group’s long history in the Australian media sector dates back to 1968. Now it is one of Australia’s leading B2B publishers with one of the most comprehensive and targeted B2B advertising networks in Australia, and a large stable of print and digital titles covering 12 vertical markets.
About IE:
Interpoint Events was launched in 2004, specialising in organising exhibitions and conferences in diverse markets such as pools & spas, cleaning, supply chain & logistics, corporate health, assistive technologies and hotel management. Interpoint also holds events for a number of different industry bodies including the Building Services Council of New Zealand, ISSA (USA) and the Assistive Technologies Suppliers Association. In 2011 Interpoint was awarded winner of the Best Australian Show by the Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia for the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show.
