Global B2B media group and exhibition organiser Tarsus has moved to acquire outright one its Chinese joint ventures, Hubei Tarsus Hope.
Hubei Hope Exhibition was the first acquisition made by Tarsus in China in 2008 and saw a 50/50 joint venture established which has endured since. Its portfolio is comprised of a number of B2B exhibitions including the Chengdu Dental Show and the biannual Zhengzhou Medical and Dental Show.
In spite of the impact of Covid-19 globally, China has successfully resumed live business events in recent months. Having been postponed from earlier in the year, the Hubei Tarsus Hope medical and dental events went ahead in August and witnessed strong turnouts.
Commenting on the closure of the JV deal, Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie said: “China is one of the world’s largest exhibition markets and is of great strategic importance to Tarsus Group; even more so on the back of Covid-19 with so many territories not yet operational it has been fantastic for us to run seven shows there in quick succession recently. We are delighted to have further strengthened our position in China with this acquisition; there are notable synergies between these medical and dental shows and others within portfolio and we look forward to further growing the events.”
In addition to the Hubei Tarsus Hope operation, the group also holds interests in a number of leading Chinese exhibitions such as Music China, Hometex, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry and Tuning Fair (AAITF), Touch China, China Aid and SIUF The International Brand Underwear Fair.
Tarsus has also announced that it is bolstering its medical division with further investment into the dermatological market.
The medical portfolio currently boasts key brands including Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC), A4M|MMI, Painweek and LivDerm.
Tarsus has acquired full rights to the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology (MOPD) brand and event and will continue to work with MOPD founder and chair, Dr Lawrence A. Schachner, M.D., going forward. LivDerm, the medical education hub dedicated to dermatology education will incorporate both MOPD and the South Beach Symposium, along with integrated education across the dermatology spectrum for practising clinicians.
The pediatric dermatology market, particularly in the US, is one that is characterised by ever-increasing demand coupled with a shortage of certified dermatologists. The critical need for pediatric dermatology is evidenced by extended wait times for appointments and the growing demand for practitioners meaning that increased training pathways, career development and educational opportunities in the field are much-needed.
In addition to growing the MOPD event, which takes place annually alongside the South Beach Symposium, the Tarsus Medical division will also focus on initiatives that will help to meet the demand for certification and education in pediatric dermatology through standalone education events, CME courses and focussed meetings with local dermatology chapters, both in-person and online.
Dr Schachner said he was pleased to be continuing to work with Tarsus Medical on the MOPD brand, events and educational content. “I believe that extending our relationship and the additional investment represented by this collaboration will provide the infrastructure needed to develop critical resources for the growing pediatric dermatology market.”
Douglas Emslie described the dermatology deal as of “significant strategic importance” to the future development of the portfolio.
The MOPD Symposium will take place February 4-5, 2021, both in-person and virtually.
