Nielsen’s move to auction off its tradeshow segment makes sense for a few reasons, according to TheDeal.com. “Expositions are no longer thought of as a waning business in the mode trade magazines might be,” says one banker. Also, the parent company’s recent $1.26 billion acquisition of radio ratings giant, Arbitron, has left it short on cash. Sources wonder if Providence Equity Partners, which bought GLM in 2011 for $173, “might now be ready for a deeper dive.”

San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Prager reaffirmed his tentative ruling from earlier in the week, claiming the hotelier-approved room tax is a legal way to finance the $520 million expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. Prager had issued an initial judgment earlier in the week, before hearing oral arguments. While the ruling is an important step toward the project’s approval, appeals are expected. “An appeal will take 12 to 18 months. If we have to go to the state Supreme Court, add another 12 to 18 months,” said the city attorney.

E.J. Krause and Associates is launching a second plastics tradeshow in Mexico, six years after acquiring Plastimagen México. The original show drew more than 800 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees this year. However, “there’s a demand for a regional show” in the northern part of the country, one association official notes.

Collocated with Natural Products Expo West, the Nutracon and Engredea tradeshows drew a record 275 exhibitors and 9,000 buyers to the Anaheim Convention Center.

The second annual Manufacturing Mart Trade Show is moving to a larger facility, the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio.

Guitar Center is piggybacking on the recent success of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, launching the Musician’s Expo (April 6) at the Long Beach (Calif.) Convention Center.

Minnesota state officials voted to take a step forward in funding an expansion of St. Paul’s River’s Edge Convention Center. The $10 million bill would provide for several developments, including an added parking ramp at the downtown facility.

UBM and Seatrade Communications are extending their partnership on cruise events. The companies will enter collaboratively into Latin American and Asian markets later this year.

Mississippi legislators have proposed combining the tourism bureaus of three counties—Harrison, Hancock and Jackson.

Global Pet Expo announced a 5-percent increase in qualified buyers at its 2013 show. All told, the event attracted 964 exhibitors and more than 13,000 attendees—both records.

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