Ehlert Acquires Consumer Show Producer
Ehlert Publishing Group, Inc. has acquired American Recreation Unlimited, Inc. (ARU), a Minnesota-based producer of three of the largest and longest-running family-oriented consumer shows in the Midwest.
ARU, privately ehld business owned and operated by Don and Lil Urban since 1965, recently produced the 40th Annual Minneapolis/St. Paul Powersports Show and the 12th Annual St. Paul Ice Fishing/Winter Sports Show. The 38th Annual Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Camping and Vacation Show is scheduled for February 9-13 at the Minneapolis Convention center.
Ehlert, parent company to Powersports Business, is headquartered in Maple Grove, Minn., and has offices in Ventura, Calif.; Carson, Callif.; Scotts Valley, Calif.; and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The company produces 20 consumer and trade magazines, several business-to-business directories and supplier’s guides, custom publications, web sites and television shows serving the motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, PWC, boating and camping markets. Ehlert also produces the Big East Snowmobile Show, the largest consumer snowmobile show on the East Coast.
Ehlert plans to continue to produce the three Twin Cities shows, and plans to add several new shows within the next few years. Don Urban will continue to work with Ehlert in an advisory capacity.