Next-Generation Internet Partnership Announced: UBM Studios and InXpo Sign Strategic Alliance Agreement

CHICAGO, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- InXpo, the largest virtual event technology provider, and e-media innovator, UBM Studios, a division of global media giant, UBM, today announced that the two companies have combined forces to transform the web with next-generation virtual business solutions that help organizations extend the reach of established trade shows, reduce costs, and increase employee productivity.

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"Together we will provide leadership in the emerging 'virtual business' space. Much like the e-business wave that helped drive enterprise adoption of the web, virtual business is the harbinger of a new era that will transform the internet from a collection of pages to a series of engaging destinations," said Kate Spellman, SVP, Managing Director, UBM Studios.

The rapidly emerging virtual events and environments industry is a rare bright spot in the economy and is expected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 56 percent according to Market Research Media. The use of this technology has expanded far beyond popular business webinars and social media to include virtual tradeshows, events, digital libraries, product launches, annual meetings, career fairs, sales meetings, training & learning centers, focus group centers and more. The use of virtual business and event technology not only reduces event and travel costs, but also is a proven means to improve employee productivity by reducing travel and providing a more educational and engaging online experience. According to American Business Media and Forrester Research, 75 percent of business decision-makers said they attended three or more Web-based events during the past 12 months.

"Businesses such as Cisco, Disney and AAA are increasingly adopting virtual events and environments as a cost effective and engaging way to extend and leverage live event and training investments," according to Malcolm Lotzof, CEO InXpo.

In the deal, UBM Studios becomes the first global media licensee of the InXpo Virtual Events Platform and will leverage the power of the UBM media network, including such brands as CMP Medica, PR Newswire, EE Times Group, UBM Global Trade, UBM International Media, UBM Live, UBM TechInsights and UBM TechWeb to create innovative new media properties. UBM and InXpo have already collaborated on more than 30 virtual events in 2009, with plans to exceed 100 events in 2010, including:

• Physicians Practice LIVE Virtual Event (April 21, 2010)
• Psychiatric Times Virtual Career Fair (April 28, 2010)
• Virtual Event: Sustainability Now (May 12 - 13, 2010)
• MBA Wired APAC (June 3, 2010)
• Midsize Enterprise Summit Virtual Event (June 9 - July 9, 2010)
• Virtual Event: Housing Now (June 9 - 10, 2010)
• Cool Cargoes Virtual Trade Show (June 15 - 16, 2010)
• Virtual Event: Retail Now (June 30 - July 1, 2010)
• Informex Virtual Event (June 30, 2010)
• Virtual Event: Education Now (July 7 - 8, 2010)
• COMDEX Virtual Event (November 16-17, 2010)

David Levin, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Limited states, "We are pleased to have formed the first global strategic alliance with the leader in virtual business technology as a powerful complement to our strong face-to-face show portfolio for our global customers."

For additional information on UBM Studios virtual events, contact Kate Spellman, SVP, Managing Director, UBM Studios at 516 562 7383 or kate.spellman@ubm.com.

About UBM Studios (www.ubmstudios.com)

UBM Studios, a division of UBM, is a creative and strategic marketing agency which specializes in building next-generation virtual media business solutions.  Through virtual environments such as virtual events, hybrid events, tradeshows, community sites, career fairs, sales meetings, training, seminars, digital libraries, knowledge centers and focus groups, UBM Studios enables customers to reach new markets, engage and educate customers as well as generate new leads and revenue.

About InXpo Inc. (www.inxpo.com)

InXpo is the leading provider of privately branded virtual events and virtual business environments that connect, engage and educate audiences. InXpo's full suite of solutions includes Virtual Trade Shows, Virtual Career Fairs, and Virtual Events & Conferences, as well as Audio and Video Webcasts. These virtual solutions dramatically reduce travel time and related costs, in addition to making the world a greener place to live. By using our privately branded virtual events, InXpo enables organizations to cost-effectively communicate with their worldwide communities for lead generation, peer-to-peer networking, training, internal and external communications, as well as generate new online revenue opportunities. InXpo has delivered more than 1,000 successful virtual events and experiences for global customers and publishers including AAA, Cisco, Forbes.com, HIMSS, GE Healthcare, PennWell, SAP, TechTarget and Ziff Davis Enterprises. The company is headquartered in Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.inxpo.com.

    
    
    Contacts
    Kate Spellman              Cece Salomon-Lee
    UBM Studios                InXpo
    516 562 7383               415 608 0302
    kate.spellman@ubm.com      cece@inxpo.com

SOURCE UBM Studios