Harbor Communications Merges with WTWH Media, LLC

Parent company of Convenience Store Decisions and Club & Resort Business joins forces with an eight-time Inc. 5000 honoree.

October 4, 2018 — Harbor Communications, a b2b media company focused on the convenience store, petroleum, foodservice, club and resort industries has merged with WTWH Media, LLC, an award-winning integrated b2b media company that has made the Inc. 5000 list eight times, starting in 2011.

Harbor, which represents the Convenience Store Decision and Club & Resort Business brands and digital networks, also includes in-person events such as Chef to Chef, National Advisory Group (NAG), Young Executives Organization Conference, Convenience Directions Study Groups and Chain of the Year.

According to Scott McCafferty, Managing Partner of WTWH, “This alignment is an excellent opportunity and provides synergy for both organizations to expand brand footprints and leverage our industry leading platforms and people.”

The deal provides CSD and C&RB greater access to editorial resources and WTWH’s leading technology platform. The move comes at a time when new digital products and in-person opportunities represent a growing area of b2b media. The merger adds several fast-growing industry segments to WTWH’s portfolio of brands, which include Design World, MassDevice, Solar Power World and The Robot Report.

“Harbor Communications has worked with WTWH for nearly five years and our professional relationship goes back much further,” said Tom McIntyre, Vice President Group Publisher and co-founder of Harbor Communications. “Scott and his team share our values and I’m extremely excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead to be an even greater asset to our readers and supplier partners.”

“We have known the principals of WTWH for 30 years and have tremendous respect for the organization they have built,” said John Petersen, Publisher of CSD. “We are beyond excited about this merger and the resources it will lend to the CSD brand — and ultimately what it will mean to our loyal customer community.”

“From an editorial as well as from a sales and strategy standpoint, this move will strengthen CSD’s reach in the industry. It will help us grow, not only print and online, but will solidify our in-person presence,” said John Lofstock, VP and Executive Director of CSD and NAG.

“We have worked hard to establish the Club & Resort Business and Chef to Chef brands as leading information sources in the club and resort industry and look forward to how combining our two companies will help us provide even more timely and relevant content for our audiences,” said Joe Barks, Editor of Club & Resort Business and a co-founder of Harbor Communications.

The combined company will shortly be moving into state-of-the-art new headquarters in downtown Cleveland.

About WTWH Media, LLC

WTWH Media LLC is an integrated b2b media company serving the design engineering, life sciences, robotics, electronics and renewable energy markets with more than 40 web sites, live & digital events, custom digital services and five print publications.

 

About Harbor Communications

Harbor Communications is committed to journalistic integrity and influential reporting. Its business-to-business brands provide real time technical insight, trend identification, practical analysis and market intelligence needed by industry professionals. The Harbor Network includes four websites, multiple in-person and digital events and two print publications.

 

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