SGMC to incorporate Working Abroad events

SGMC International, the Irish-based owners of events including Working Abroad, has said that it intends to merge the newly acquired Emigrate UK brand and Johnson Press Events and Exhibitions. The firm has also said it will be running additional Working Abroad events in Glasgow this year and Manchester next year.

Stephen McLarnon, director of SGMC, said Emigrate would provide a database of 20,000 people in the UK currently looking to move abroad. In 2011, Emigrate ran events in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow, but had nothing on this year’s calendar.

Speaking to EN, McLarnon said that instead of keeping the shows under different brands, they would be incorporated under the Working Abroad Expo umbrella. He explained that running two brands could make things confusing for customers. McLernon explained that even though JP and SGMC had been competing with each other, the two outfits had always been on amicable terms.

SGMC believes that it can improve on JP’s performance by growing stand revenues and improving advertising. SGMC will now also take charge of annual publication Emigrate magazine.

The Working Abroad Expos were originally launched to cater to those looking for a new life in Australia. However, they have since grown to include countries such as Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Northern Ireland and territories across Asia. The Down Under Expo continues to be popular in major cities across Australia.