Mark Shashoua, exuberant chief executive of AIM-quoted exhibitions and conferences counter Expomedia, says he will show investors profits this year.

Losses in a record year to December narrowed from C3.7 million (£2.5 million) to C3.5 million and this year analysts predict a move into the black. In 2004, turnover lifted 38 per cent to C15.2 million and like-for-like revenues sparked up 52 per cent.

Shashoua, who founded Expomedia with father and chairman Roger in 1999, says Expomedia enjoys healthy organic growth in Poland, boasts a rapidly expanding Russian events business and has launched first events in India and Hungary. Three new centres are on schedule to open this year in Cologne, Amsterdam and Belgrade.

He enthuses over the group's canny strategy of partnering with internationally known media groups and brands, and 'cloning' branded events throughout group venues. Shashoua junior, who has based himself in Moscow and now boasts a smattering of Russian, predicts particularly big things there and in India.

Exhibition entrepreneurs, the Shashoua family are known in the City for building up conferences and exhibitions outfit ITE Group from sales of £8 million to £36 million between 1994 and 1998.

Expomedia was floated on AIM at 75p in December 2001. The shares have drifted so far this year, but at today's 143.5p, Expomedia is still valued at £62.1 million.