The Halloween Industry Association and Urban Expositions have teamed up to acquire the Halloween & Party Expo from its current owners, H&P Expo.

The upcoming event, scheduled Feb. 6-9 at the New Orleans Convention Center, will be operated by H&P Expo. HIA and Urban will take over the event immediately following the 2015 edition.

Under the new partnership, Urban Expositions will be responsible for managing all aspects of the event including sales, operations, marketing and promotion with guidance and expertise provided by the Halloween Industry Association.

 "Our membership is thrilled to have Urban Expositions as our partner for the Halloween & Party Expo.  The HIA is passionate about the event  and looks forward to its partnership with Urban Expositions, a company with a great deal of trade show knowledge and customer focus," said Marc Beige, chairman of the HIA board and CEO of Rubies Costume Company.

He added, "This is an exciting opportunity for members to lead the premiere buying event with proceeds to fund industry initiatives."

Urban and HIA will focus their efforts on increasing awareness of the event, expanding the selection of the product mix and growing and expanding the show into an internationally recognized event for the Halloween industry. 

In the U.S., where Halloween is an extremely popular holiday (2nd largest commercial holiday), expenditures on Halloween products top $7.4 billion.  On costumes alone, U.S. consumers spend $2.8 billion annually with the average consumer spending $77.52. 

Doug Miller, president and  partner of Urban Expositions, said, "Along with our partners at the HIA, our plans are to build upon the great success of the show that Jonathan and Walter Erwin have created and developed.  We are very excited about this tremendous opportunity to work with the wonderful members of HIA."

Jonathan Erwin, of the H&P Expo, LLC, added, "The transfer of show ownership to the HIA and Urban partnership is a natural evolution for the show.  We look forward to a smooth transition and to supporting and attending the show for years to come."

Future editions of Halloween & Party Expo will also take place in New Orleans with dates of Jan. 20 - 23, 2016, and Jan. 14 - 17, 2017.

Retailers Forum wholesale merchandise magazine is a proud supporter and media sponsor of Urban Exposition shows around the country.