Galaxy Communications buys Long Island event company

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Galaxy Communications has purchased DBE Events, a company that operates two events on Long Island.

DBE Events produces Hops & Props Craft Beer Fest, which it boasts is Long Island’s “best beer fest” and Taste of Flight Wine Expo, Long Island’s “largest wine event,” according to a Galaxy news release.

Both events occur in Garden City in Nassau County on Long Island, according to their websites.

Galaxy Communications didn’t release any terms of its purchase agreement, but said both events are part of the deal.

The acquisition represents Galaxy’s first purchase outside Central New York, the company said.

Eric Bell, who owns DBE Events, will be working for Galaxy Events. The company also plans to open an office on Long Island, according to the release.

Buying these two “terrific” events gives Galaxy a “foothold” into the Long Island market. Ed Levine, president and CEO of Galaxy Communications, contended.

“Having Eric Bell on staff will give us further ability to expand and scale our events division beyond merely where we own radio stations,” said Levine.

Bell said he sees growth on the horizon for Galaxy Events.

“I see this as a platform for growth. I was impressed by the dedication and talent of Galaxy Events team and know that working with them will help to grow the festivals that I started within the Long Island market and will allow for additional growth in new markets,” Bell said in the release.

Galaxy Communications created its Galaxy Events division in 2002, according to its website. It originally functioned as a branding and sampling company for outside clients.

When it purchased the Taste of Syracuse festival in 2006, Galaxy completely rebranded and relaunched the division as a broader event company.

Besides Taste of Syracuse, the division also produces Wine and Chocolate Syracuse, Wine and Chocolate Utica, Jamesville Balloonfest, LEON Festival, and Lights on the Lake.

LEON Festival is held in late June, celebrating the halfway point to Christmas, the last days of school, and the start of summer vacation, according to its website.

Galaxy Communications, which has headquarters in both Syracuse and Utica, also owns 14 radio stations between both markets.

Galaxy operates at 235 Walton St. in Syracuse’s Armory Square area and at 520 Seneca St. in Utica.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com