MeetingPlay + Aventri Acquires Registration Platform Eventcore

Updated June 9 with information about Eventcore branding plans.

Event management software provider MeetingPlay + Aventri has made its first acquisition since the two companies themselves merged early this year. The combined company has purchased the registration platform Eventcore, to bolster its customizable offerings for large, complex events. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition further expands the breadth of functionality available to clients on the Meeting Play + Aventri platform, speaking to the "end-to-end" solution the company bills itself as. Crucially, the company views the Eventcore offering as another element that caters to the bespoke needs of what it calls "Tier 1" events and trade shows.

Providing customizable service for large customers had become a specialty for the pre-merger MeetingPlay, and that's a facet on which MeetingPlay + Aventri (MPAV) CEO Eric Lochner wants to maintain focus. "Now, more than ever, event professionals need tailored event solutions," he said. "Event planners have outgrown off-the-shelf tools and are looking to partner with an organization that understands their need to provide branded, unique, innovative events."

That's especially important for large exhibitions, MPAV chief of innovation Joe Schwinger explained recently. "In the Tier 1 space, it's always competitive to bring something from an event technology perspective that nobody else is doing," he said. "You always hear, 'My event is like nobody else's event,' or 'my event must be like nobody else's event.' They require that level of customization and service."

Microsoft, Xbox, the U.S. Marines and CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) are among the clients listed on Eventcore's website.

"We are excited to be joining an industry leader, with a history of innovation and a long-term vision for growth," said Mark Johnson, CEO of Seattle-based Eventcore. "In joining Meeting Play + Aventri, we can reach a wider scope of customers and partners by leveraging the best combination of Eventcore’s custom registration solutions, coupled with MPAV’s end-to-end event technology solutions. We look forward to providing our valuable customers and partners with the same strong level of service, attention and quality that they are used to. As part of the MPAV family, we will be investing to increase the depth and breadth of our platform."

Eventcore will continue to operate under its current name for the immediate future, according to a company spokesperson. Because MeetingPlay + Aventri continues to go through its own rebranding process, the Eventcore brand will be incorporated into the company's new brand and name when that launches in a few months.