SPASA acquires Australasian Leisure Management

December 5, 2023

In a move to strengthen communication and collaboration across the aquatic and leisure industry, the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd (SPASA Australia) has announced its acquisition of Australasian Leisure Management magazine and the www.ausleisure.com.au website.

SPASA’s acquisition of the Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd assets, including the www.asianleisure.biz website, augments the association’s growing stable of media brands, which includes the consumer-facing Pool & Spa magazine, website and lifestyle events, along with the commercially focused business-to-business (B2) SPLASH! tradeshow, print and digital platforms.

SPASA Australia Chief Executive, Lindsay McGrath advised “our mission is to protect, promote and grow the industry. Acquisition of the ALM assets positions us to better deliver on that promise, dovetailing into our existing media portfolio and enabling us to further our reach.

“SPASA’s success since going national in 2017 is due to a collaborative approach with industry partners. Australasian Leisure Management provides SPASA the perfect communication tool to work closer with other associations and groups to help promote and grow aquatics, recreation and leisure sectors.”

Commenting on the move, Australasian Leisure Management Publisher and Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd co-Director, Nigel Benton stated “this is an incredibly exciting move for us, as we share a common goal with SPASA - to effectively communicate what is best about this industry.

“The global media landscape is changing rapidly. In the B2B space, access to SPASA’s extensive resources will allow us to expand in new directions - and at a scale we couldn’t achieve as an independent publisher.”

Australasian Leisure Management Editor and Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd co-director, Karen Sweaney-Benton said the move is a win for the industry, noting “SPASA’s backing means we can take advantage of emerging technologies, develop new partnerships and move on with new initiatives, which will better serve the industry.

“With the support of SPASA we can deliver more editorial content to benefit readers and the wider industry along with developing new industry-relevant research and information resources.”

SPASA Australia’s acquisition will see the editorial, production and management team behind Australasian Leisure Management magazine and the www.ausleisure.com.au website continue to lead the business under new ownership with editorial independence and credibility unchanged.

About SPASA
The Swimming Pool & Spa Association (SPASA) is a member-based organisation dedicated to advancing the pool, spa and outdoor living industries throughout Asia Pacific. The association recognises five key pillars: People - empowering members through skills and knowledge development, Promotion - of the professional trades delivering products and services that improve health and wellness, Representation - advocating for responsible outcomes at all levels of government, Member Services - provision of products, services and networking opportunities, Corporate Support - consistently striving to improve the corporate structure for effectiveness and efficiency.

SPASA was ranked 58th in the 2023 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast 100 list - the annual ranking of the 100 fastest growing businesses in Australia.

Main image shows (from left): Australasian Leisure Management's Nigel Benton and Karen Sweaney-Benton with SPASA Australia Chief Executive Lindsay McGrath.

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