How Raccoon Media Group turned a respected brand into a global force for good and growth
What happens when a successful, mission-driven event meets the right partner? For Abilities Expo, that meeting came in 2023—when UK-based events powerhouse Raccoon Media Group acquired the much-loved series of disability-focused events. The result? Not just growth, but transformation.
In the space of just 12 months, Abilities Expo has expanded its reach, diversified its revenue streams, increased its profitability and doubled down on its commitment to the disability community. It has become the blueprint for how event brands can grow without compromise – doing good while doing well commercially.
Honouring a legacy, building a future
Long before the acquisition, Abilities Expo had a strong foundation. With a loyal following across seven major US cities, it served more than 30,000 annual attendees – people with disabilities, caregivers, families, service providers and industry experts – offering critical support, resources and education. It had a stellar reputation in the accessibility space and was beloved by its community.
But Raccoon Media Group saw untapped potential – not just to grow the events, but to elevate their impact and build a 360-degree ecosystem around them.
“Our goal wasn’t to change what made Abilities Expo special, it was to enhance it,” said Mike Seaman, Group CEO of Raccoon Media Group. “We knew that community was at the heart of this brand and we wanted to protect that whilst sensitively exploring new growth opportunities that add value to the core offering.”
The numbers don’t lie
The results speak volumes. Since acquiring Abilities Expo the numbers have soared:
- Rebook was introduced and exceeded $1.25million in the first year
- SPEX (sponsorship and exhibition revenue) increased by 62%
- Event footprint expanded by 62% in total square footage
- Exhibitor numbers also up by 69%
- Attendee numbers climbed 68%
- Visitor Satisfaction has increased from an average NPS of 32 to an NPS of 54
- Exhibitor Satisfaction has increased from an average NPS of 38 to an NPS of 44
Abilities Expo’s community-first approach isn’t just talk; it’s backed by action. As part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the community, Raccoon Media Group has made charitable donations to organizations making a real impact for people with disabilities. Among them is Help Hope Live, a dynamic nonprofit that helps individuals fundraise for mobility equipment, medical treatments and other critical needs that fall outside the reach of insurance. And when the wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, Abilities proudly supported Triumph Foundation in providing urgent assistance to members of the disability community impacted by the devastation. These efforts reflect a core belief at Raccoon: growth means nothing if it doesn’t lift others along the way.
More than just consumer: The B2B leap
Perhaps the boldest and most strategic move has been the launch of the Abilities International Accessibility Conferences, a new B2B layer of the brand set to debut in 2026. These conferences will run alongside expos in Long Beach, New Jersey and Chicago, uniting manufacturers, care providers, service organisations and industry leaders from around the globe.
Designed as a three-stream, CEU-accredited professional platform, the new series marks a turning point. It bridges the gap between consumers and industry, driving innovation, commercial opportunity and sector-wide collaboration.
“This is about building something truly transformative,” said Katy Roberts, Managing Director at Raccoon Media Group. “The B2B conferences expand our influence, attract new stakeholders and help push the accessibility conversation forward at a global scale.”
A platform for global growth
Raccoon’s ambitions don’t end at the US border. With the backing of Cuil Bay Capital, led by former Tarsus Group CEO Doug Emslie, the company is pursuing an aggressive acquisition and launch strategy y across Europe, the US and the Middle East. with B2B and B2C events in their key verticals of mobility, animal health and sport/outdoor.
Abilities Expo is now the leading example for what’s possible. From a respected US show series to a multi-layered platform for accessibility innovation, it has become a living case study in what great event stewardship looks like.
Katy Roberts, Managing Director, Raccoon Media Group commented: “One of the things I’m most proud of is how seamlessly we’ve merged our UK and US teams to create a unified, high-performing group that’s truly greater than the sum of its parts. We didn’t just bring in new systems—we brought in shared values, mutual respect and a real sense of purpose. That team dynamic has been fundamental to the growth we’ve seen across Abilities Expo. The same people who helped drive the transition are now driving the momentum forward.”
Raccoon Media Group’s growth has been rapid but never rushed. At the core of its success is a simple philosophy: find communities built on passion and purpose, then invest in helping them grow. Raccoon seeks out spaces where real people are doing meaningful things and where events can serve as catalysts for connection, innovation and impact.
The company doesn’t always take the most obvious route. It’s known for spotting overlooked opportunities and taking calculated risks on under-served or emerging markets. That mindset has helped Raccoon build a proven track record, scaling events in both the UK and US, launching new formats and now successfully expanding into the B2B space.
Rather than apply a rigid formula, Raccoon focuses on listening first, building trust and working closely with teams on the ground to make thoughtful, sustainable changes. It’s this collaborative, community-first approach that’s driving the momentum behind Abilities Expo and shaping the company’s wider international growth plans.
To work with Raccoon Media Group on a launch or acquisition, contact Group CEO Mike Seaman mike@raccoonmediagroup.com