The Schneider Publishing Co. is acquiring Meetings Quest, the nation’s longest-running series of one-day trade shows for meeting and event planners.
Currently owned by James T. Dunn Enterprises, Meetings Quest in 2013 will join Los Angeles-based Schneider Publishing’s suite of media properties that serve the meeting and event industries: Association News, SportsTravel and the TEAMS Conference & Expo.
“We’re excited to be adding a live-show component that will be marketed alongside Association News magazine. Meetings Quest is a brand with a long and proud history,” said Timothy Schneider, president and CEO, Schneider Publishing. “We look forward to introducing several enhancements to this series of shows that will make it the best way for hotels, venues, convention bureaus and meetings-industry suppliers to reach key association- and corporate-meeting planners.”
Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Meetings Quest was founded in 1984 by the late Jimmy Dunn. Dunn’s wife, Barbara, has owned and operated the shows since Dunn passed away in 2000. She will continue managing the shows through 2012, after which Schneider Publishing will assume management and marketing for Meetings Quest. Under Schneider Publishing’s ownership, Dunn will continue in her marketing role for Meetings Quest and, effective immediately, will be responsible for print and online advertising sales in Association News in the northeastern United States.
“I am delighted that Meetings Quest has found a new home with Schneider Publishing and look forward to growing the shows as a live-event complement to Association News magazine,” said Dunn.
Meetings Quest is planning shows in four locations during 2012: Raleigh, N.C., on Sept. 19; Atlanta on Oct. 2; Minneapolis on Oct. 31; and Washington, D.C., on Nov. 20. Schneider Publishing will begin producing the Meetings Quest series in 2013 and will introduce a plethora of changes.
