While the overall media M&A market is proving to be more active so far this year, deal volume and value are down for events, according to the most recent report from media investment bankers the Jordan, Edmiston Group.

The number of deals announced in the exhibitions and conferences sector through the first half of 2010 declined 40 percent to 12, the report says. Combined deal value slipped 25 percent $58 million compared to the same period last year.

The largest deal in the exhibitions and conferences sector during the first half was the Canadian Gift & Tableware Association’s acquisition of dmg world media’s Alberta Gift Show and Montreal Gift Show, which JEGI brokered. Other notable transactions were Access Intelligence’s acquisition of renewable and alternative energy technology sector show operator RETECH and United Business Media’s deal for Brazil-based Navalshore, a maritime industry tradeshow and conference provider.

Among the nine other media sectors tracked by JEGI, six saw “strong” growth. The number of mobile media and technology sector transactions increased 188 percent to 46, marketing and interactive services deals jumped 96 percent to 131, database and information services transaction grew 90 percent to 38, and the number of b-to-c online media deals increased 64 percent to 125.

While b-to-b media deals (23 transactions) were valued at $87 million through the first half (driven by Reed Business Information’s magazine sell-off), the consumer magazines, exhibitions and conferences and newspaper publishing sectors all saw declines in the number of transactions and value. (Click on the chart below.)