Active Interest Media bought the Bahamas Billfish Championship as the newest piece of its AIM Marine Group portfolio. The acquisition also includes the Dania Marine Flea Market.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. A formal announcement of the acquisition, followed by a reception, will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday at the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach at the BBC Booth at Sportfishing Row on Ramp 6 on Collins Avenue.
The Bahamas Billfish Championship, founded in 1973, is a fishing tournament series consisting of four tournaments held from April through June.
Al Behrendt took over production of the BBC in 1981. Last year, Behrendt retired and his daughter, Jennifer Dudas, assumed the reins of the event.
“We are very excited,” Dudas said in a statement. “This gives us access to all of the great resources of AIM Marine Group — their magazines, websites and events team. The BBC and the Dania Marine Flea Market will continue to grow with AIM behind us.”
Soundings Trade Only is part of the AIM Marine Group.
Dudas will remain on as producer of both the BBC and the Dania Marine Flea Market.
“With Jennifer Dudas’ expertise in producing the BBC and AIM Marine Group’s experience in event exhibitions, the potential for growth and additional sponsorship for the tournament will be tremendous,” said Gary DeSanctis, group publisher and general manager of the AIM Marine Group.
“One of the things we’ve always prided ourselves on with the BBC is that it was a great showcase for the industry, from marine electronics to fishing tackle, and it gives the manufacturers the chance to interact with the users,” Behrendt said. “This partnership is good for everyone involved — a great way for the BBC to grow and for AIM to broaden its horizons.”
The 2015 BBC series will begin in Guana Cay at Orchid Bay Marina, amid the marlin-rich waters of the Abacos, to kick off Leg One from April 22-25.
Behrendt founded the Dania Marine Flea Market in 1979 and grew the event into the largest marine flea market in the world. Corporate vendors and private individuals sell used boats, fishing tackle, marine equipment, diving gear, new and used scuba gear, marine artwork, marine electronics, outboard motors and everything boat-related. The event returns March 12-15 to Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Tom Jones, of Transworld Business Advisors, represented Al Behrendt and Jennifer Behrendt Dudas in the tra
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