Mike Rowe, best known as the host of Dirty Jobs.

Marketplace Events, producer of business-to-consumer home shows in North America, announced that it has signed a three-year deal with TV Host Mike Rowe, best known as the host of Dirty Jobs, to serve as the spokesperson for its 60+ home shows.

The company will also work closely with Rowe's Foundation, mikeroweWORKS, which awards Work Ethic Scholarships to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. Since 2008 when Rowe launched the foundation, he speaks and writes extensively about the country's relationship with work and the widening skills gap – an issue directly impacting the home improvement industry.

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 75 percent of construction companies nationwide are having trouble finding qualified workers.

"It was Mike Rowe's work with his foundation and the fact that he has become an important voice in sounding the alarm around the skilled trade gap, that drew us to this partnership," said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events. "We work with 20,000+ companies each year – primarily small, locally-owned home improvement business owners who exhibit at our shows. Our success is tied to their success in servicing homeowners and growing their business. They can't do that without a skilled labor pool so our partnership with Mike Rowe makes total sense. It's a meaningful way for Marketplace Events to support our customers and the home improvement industry throughout North America."

As the new spokesperson for the home shows produced by Marketplace Events, Rowe, who has been identified by Forbes as one of the country's 10 Most Trustworthy Celebrities, will appear in the company's advertising campaigns and make personal appearances at select shows each year.

"The mikeroweWORKS Foundation is committed to supporting the local builders, remodelers, installers, repairmen and all skilled tradespeople who do the jobs that most people are unable or untrained to do," said Rowe. "I look forward to working with Marketplace Events in support of these companies and the home shows."

For more information about the foundation, visit www.mikeroweworks.org.

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