MAKING NEWS
GSE Today becomes part of the Cygnus aviation family
November/December 2001
Many major players in the airport market
have been moving forward with strategic acquisitions. A couple that readily
come to mind are the acquisition of many Texaco-branded FBOs by AvFuel
and the BBA (parent of Signature) purchase of Aircraft Services International
Group (ASIG).
I am delighted to add to that list. Looking
to parlay the presence held by AIRPORT BUSINESS and AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
TECHNOLOGY magazines in our aviation market, Cygnus Business Media has
completed the purchase of GSE Today and GSE Expo from General Publications
of Las Cruces, NM. GSE Today magazine was launched over ten years ago
and boasts an international circulation of 15,000. GSE Expo is three years
old and one of the fastest growing aviation exhibitions in the world.
Its deep penetration into the core market of ground support equipment
and handling is a tremendous fit with our aviation-related businesses.
Cygnus Business Media has more than 50 business-to-business
trade publications along with custom publishing, exhibitions, and interactive
business enterprises. Strengthening our presence in the aviation industry
is a primary focus of our strategy, and teaming with General Publications
is a terrific opportunity to expand this portfolio.
We’ve been working on this for quite
some time. The purchase from General Publications certainly was not a
fire sale, the result of the sudden upheaval in business after the events
of September 11. Rather, this pursuit has spanned many months. It came
to fruition due to the strength of each property and the opportunity that
pairing a publication along with a major trade show can bring.
Jennifer Prill, with a little help from
her father George, launched a publication and trade show in the ground
support market that perfectly fit the void that existed to provide information,
communication, and networking opportunities to those people who buy and
sell ground support-related products.
GSE Today is the preeminent international
source of information for the purchasers and users of ground support equipment
and services — primarily the airlines, ground handling companies,
and many FBOs. Comparatively, AIRPORT BUSINESS serves the needs of airport
and airport-based business personnel with managerial information in the
North American market. Our combined strength in terms of editorial, circulation,
and market knowledge should provide even more value to readers and their
suppliers.
Here’s to a happy New Year!
