Internet publisher and trade show organizer Mecklermedia Corp has acquired One Inc, the organizer of the ISPCon trade shows, and Boardwatch Magazine Inc, the publisher of monthly trade magazine Boardwatch, in a cash and stock deal valued at approximately $29.5m. The deal includes the web sites Ispcon.com and Boardwatch.com. Both companies are based in Littleton, Colorado. Mecklermedia figures the acquisitions will give it the opportunity to cash in on the ISP market, which numbers about 4,800 in the US alone, through ownership of what it describes as the leading trade show, print and web sites for ISP professionals. ISPCon, which began in 1997, is held in March and September each year. Mecklermedia also plans to stage international ISPCon shows, with one slated for Australia in August and the UK in October. Boardwatch magazine is said to be profitable and boasts a monthly paid circulation of 25,000.
