By Sherri Middleton
We have some exciting news to share. SportsEvents Media Group is expanding. SportsEvents Magazine and S.P.O.R.T.S. The Relationship conference joined Kenilworth Media, Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ontario. Kenilworth is a full-service media company with brands in a diverse cross-section of some of North America’s leading sectors of business-to-business publications and consumer titles.
Founding Publisher, J. Talty O’Connor continues to lead SportsEvents Media Group and is excited to announce that ConventionSouth Magazine and its boutique conference, Rendezvous South were also acquired by the Canadian-based media company.
“I look at this as sort of a union of media families,” O’Connor said. “In even considering this deal, it was vital to me that the other “family” share our core values, has a passion for our industry, has a long-term commitment to our employees and will maintain or even expand on our dedication to exceeding our reader’s and advertiser’s expectations. Kenilworth exceeds the criteria in every way. Their technical resources will help us to greatly expand the digital opportunities we can offer to the sports events industry. On the other hand, readers and advertisers will see very few changes in our highly respected print magazines as well as our successful S.P.O.R.T.S. The Relationship Conference.”
O’Connor said he will remain very involved in the future operations of SportsEvents. “More importantly, my wife Carrie and daughter, Kelsey, as well as our whole staff will remain on as important executives for the publication,” he said. “I think the fact that I’m entrusting my personal family as well as my publishing family to Kenilworth says a lot about the trust and respect I have for the Kenilworth Media executives and staff.”
Kenilworth is part of the global Forum Media Group (FMG) headquartered near Munich (Germany). FMG is an international media company with leading professional publishing houses worldwide.
Founded in 1988, FMG specializes in providing clients with quality products and professional training and development. The FMG portfolio also includes a diverse group of publications and events. FMG employees more than a thousand people in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.
Kenilworth’s brands include signage, franchising, jewelry, veterinary practice, backyard leisure living and event planning. The company also manages client-owned magazines in the U.S. and Canada.
“We are pleased to add these two magazines to our publication portfolio,” said Kenilworth CEO Erik Tolles. “I am also excited the staff of these respected titles will be joining the Kenilworth family. Readers and advertisers can expect the same level of quality and service and we look forward to growing and strengthening the magazines’ presence both online and in print.”
“I am very confident Kenilworth will continue to build on the successes of these two magazines,” said J. Talty O’Connor, Covey Communications President. “This is an exciting time in the history of these publications and the trade show, and I have no doubt staff, readers, and advertisers are in very capable hands.”
Tolles and key members of his team visited the Alabama Gulf Coast twice in recent months to meet with staff and finalize the deal. The Canadian-based crew enjoyed the beautiful Alabama beaches, local seafood and a boat ride with the entire Gulf Shores staff that left from Orange Beach and traveled through The Pass to the Pensacola NAS Lighthouse and back to celebrate the occasion.
We’re all excited to share the news and we are all looking forward to creating more digital offerings, an expanded presence in our print and online publications continuing to provide a memorable experience through S.P.O.R.T.S. The Relationship Conference as we bring planners and suppliers together in our unique, space-limited event format.
We hope to see you all in September for the 2019 conference in Panama City Beach, Fla. We have lots to talk about and I’m sure you have questions.
See you in September.
