CMP announced the launch of a full-service global custom events group. The new service, CMP Custom Events, will leverage recent CMP acquisitions of key industry event producers including Shorecliff Communications, Black Hat and MediaLive International's Technology Media Group, which produces significant events such as Interop and Web 2.0. CMP Media is now the largest producer of hi-tech events in the world.

The Custom Events division will provide turnkey event consulting and management services, including program development, content planning and execution, messaging, audience acquisition, and complete event execution. Solutions include Road Shows, Forums, Roundtables, as well as major Custom Conferences. CMP Custom Events is
part of CMP's Integrated Marketing Solutions (CIMS) Group.

To lead the new division, CMP recruited Lonsdale-Hands, a 25-year industry veteran, who has worked for several leading custom event agencies. Lonsdale-Hands spent the last five years with George P. Johnson Co. and Conference Planners.