OAK BROOK, Ill. -- CSP Information Group has merged with the foodservice portfolio assets of Ideal Media LLC, which include Restaurant Business, FoodService Director, Institutional Distribution (ID), the MenuDirections conference, as well asMonkeyDish.com and FoodServiceDirector.com.
This newly formed media platform is the result of CSP's strategic vision to marry the leading industry conferences with the top foodservice publisher, and create [image-nocss] communications opportunities across the entire foodservice industry.
Restaurant Business and CSP's relationship began through a partnership in 2008 when Restaurant Business was named the official magazine partner for CSP's Restaurant Leadership Conference, and both FoodService Director and Restaurant Business provided support for CSP's Foodservice at Retail Exchange (FARE).
Both shows have set attendance records for their recent events. Restaurant Leadership (in its 15th year) features more than 1,000 attendees representing more than half of all restaurant units in the United States. FARE (in its third year), Fare magazine and Faremagazine.com are the only dedicated publishing and EduNetworking resources for the fastest-growing foodservice channel, food to go, and its retailers and suppliers.
"Blending our information assets will give us unprecedented market reach and create incredible value for our audiences, sponsors and advertisers," said Paul Reuter, CEO and editorial director of CSP. "Now, wherever foodservice happens, we will have a magazine, conference, newsletter or Web site for it."
"We've built a strong relationship with CSP through our conference partnerships the past two years, and we are thrilled to become full-time team members," said Scott Allmendinger, formerly with Ideal Media, and vice president and group publisher of CSP's new foodservice group. "CSP's professionalism, spirit of innovation and dedication to its clients is a perfect cultural fit for our entire group."
Ideal Media's Food Group was formed in 2005 to acquire Restaurant Business, FoodService Director and ID from VNU, and subsequently the Nielsen Co. Since then, the group has grown from 10% market share to a 23% market share among 11 foodservice publications. All members of the former Ideal Media Food Group will transition to CSP.
CSP Information Group, publisher of CSP and Fare magazines, is a business-to-business communication company specializing in the convenience retailing, restaurant and on-the-go food industries. In addition to its print products, CSP Information Group's other business units include the CSP Daily News e-mail newsletter, CSPNetwork CyberConferences, CSPTV, CSP Leadership Conferences & Eventsincluding the Restaurant Leadership ConferenceFoodservice at Retail Exchange (FARE), 24-7 Connect Virtual Expo and CSP Custom Solutions. Visitwww.cspnet.com for more information.
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