Press Releases

CLEVELAND, Ohio – April 14, 2025:   Marketplace Events (MPE), North America’s largest business-to-consumer show producer, today announced the acquisition of five craft shows—two in Tulsa and three in Oklahoma City—from Affair of the Heart Inc. of Oklahoma. The shows, which have run in the two markets for 40 years, collectively attract 1,500 exhibitors and 75,000 attendees annually.

Marketplace Events, who already produces two successful and longstanding home shows in Oklahoma City, has been aggressive in recent years in growing their portfolio of holiday and craft shows.  The five-show purchase in Oklahoma will bring their number of annual holiday and craft shows to 21 total shows.

“We have always done very well in the Oklahoma market and look forward to adding these events to our roster,” explained Mark White, CEO of Marketplace Events, “These are Oklahoma’s largest and longest running shopping events with a long history of success and a great partner in Braum’s, offering a solid foundation on which to continue growing these shows for years to come,” he continued.  “It is a bittersweet time for our team as we have loved producing these events,” said Anita Hinkle, President of Affair of the Heart, “but we know they will be in excellent hands with Marketplace Events,” she continued.

All five shows will be managed by veteran Group Manager at Marketplace Events, Tina Robinson. For more information on the Affair of the Heart shows, call (904) 622-9140.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shelly Gepfert, CMO | ShellyG@MarketplaceEvents.com | c: 828.275.7646