Latest news with #ClarionEvents
Travel Daily News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Leading organisers unite to celebrate Global Exhibitions Day
Tenth edition of Global Exhibitions Day highlights the role of exhibitions in unleashing potential across all industries for all people. Leading exhibition organisers emphasise the importance of face-to-face connections and multi-industry growth. PARIS – The world's top exhibition organisers – Clarion Events, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa, and RX – join forces on Wednesday 4 June 2025 to celebrate the tenth edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED). Under the theme 'Exhibitions Unleash Potential,' this milestone event underscores the invaluable role of exhibitions in driving multi-industry growth through in-person engagement. Exhibitions provide vital platforms for industries to connect, innovate, and develop. As businesses and communities navigate an evolving global landscape, the exhibition industry remains a vital catalyst for growth, enabling face-to-face engagement that accelerates opportunity and progress. The GED 2025 theme reflects the industry's unwavering commitment to unlocking potential across all sectors for all people. Uniting industries and empowring people through exhibitions As key stakeholders in the global exhibition ecosystem, Clarion Events, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa, and RX recognise the transformative impact of exhibitions. This year's GED theme highlights two fundamental ways exhibitions unleash potential: Empowering People Through Connection: At the heart of exhibitions lies the power of human interaction. In an increasingly digital world, the ability to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful relationships remains irreplaceable. Exhibitions create valuable opportunities for individuals to grow and succeed. By facilitating real, in-person connections, exhibitions foster trust, strengthen business resilience, and create dynamic, sustainable industry ecosystems. Fueling Multi-Industry Growth: Exhibitions are dynamic marketplaces where businesses across diverse sectors connect and collaborate to drive economic expansion. They serve as powerful bridges to international markets, helping companies navigate regulatory complexities and geopolitical challenges through direct engagement. Exhibitions also showcase industry excellence, elevating the global reputation and standing of host cities and countries while fostering sustainable, long-term economic growth. 'Exhibitions unlock potential by bringing industries, individuals, communities, and companies together driving real, lasting impact. Our industry has always been a force for collaboration and innovation, helping businesses and people grow, transform, and thrive. Exhibitions serve as powerful economic engines, accelerating progress, fostering development, and shaping the future of industries. Most importantly, they create invaluable face-to-face connections that amplify reach, strengthen brands, and propel businesses forward. At Clarion Events, we are proud to champion the exhibition industry and the extraordinary opportunities it creates worldwide.' says Lisa Hannant, CEO, Clarion Events. Renaud Hamaide, CEO, Comexposium, says, 'At Comexposium, we believe exhibitions reveal the best of what industries and people have to offer. Through networks such as SIAL and Vinexposium, we bring together with our teams and stakeholders communities to foster innovation, grow talent, and generate lasting impact. This global exhibitions day is a timely reminder of the power of face-to-face experiences to shape tomorrow's economy and society.' 'Exhibitions are more than gatherings – they are a driving force for business growth, bringing people together to spark ideas, build partnerships, and drive impact. Our in-person event ecosystem is a highly effective platform connecting buyers and sellers, fueling inspiration, discovery, and commerce beyond the show floor. By enabling face-to-face engagement, exhibitions grow the economy, create jobs, and empowers businesses to compete. Now more than ever, we must champion the essential role of in-person events in helping businesses connect, thrive, and deliver real ROI,' says Hervé Sedky, President & CEO, Emerald. 'Trade shows shape tomorrow's commercial landscape, creating platforms for communities to explore products, forge partnerships, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving world. The unique value of in-person events lies in their ability to bring communities together face-to-face to see, touch and test products, spark innovation, create and nurture lasting relationships, and unlock valuable opportunities to accelerate global trade.' – Patrick Martell, CEO, Informa Markets & COO, Informa Plc. 'As we celebrate the tenth Global Exhibitions Day, we're reminded of the incredible power of face-to-face connection in a world increasingly driven by digital. Exhibitions don't just bring people together – they unlock opportunity, fuel growth, create lasting value, and build trust across borders and industries. At RX, and through my role this year as President of UFI, we are proud to champion the vital role exhibitions play in driving progress and delivering tangible impact for people, businesses, and communities around the world. Together with our industry peers, we continue to shape a future where exhibitions remain a powerful force for positive change.' comments Hugh Jones, CEO, RX and President, UFI. 'Global Exhibitions Day is an opportunity to recognise the collective strength of our industry – organisers, venues, associations and partners – who work throughout the year to connect people and enable progress. This tenth edition is not only a celebration, but also a testament to the vital role exhibitions play in supporting dialogue, innovation and sustainable economic growth around the world. At UFI, we are proud to support this global community and the positive impact it delivers every day.' said Chris Skeith OBE, CEO & Managing Director, UFI. As the industry commemorates a decade of Global Exhibitions Day, we invite stakeholders to join in on 4 June 2025 to recognise the limitless potential that exhibitions unleash. Whether as organisers, exhibitors, attendees, or industry partners, we all play a role in shaping a future where exhibitions continue to drive progress.
Reuters
20-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Blackstone launches Clarion sale as markets stabilise, sources say
LONDON/FRANKFURT, May 20 (Reuters) - Blackstone (BX.N), opens new tab has kicked off the sale of Clarion Events, four people familiar with the matter said, in a test of demand for takeovers after weeks of market turmoil stymied dealmaking. Blackstone bought Clarion, which runs international trade shows in electronics, gaming, energy, security and defence, in 2017 for 600 million pounds ($802 million) and supported it through the COVID pandemic, when the events industry came to a sudden halt, hammering the company's revenue and earnings. The U.S.-based private equity fund distributed information memoranda earlier this month and has drawn interest from funds including CVC, KKR, PAI Partners and Ardian, the four people said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Asian private equity firm Hillhouse Investment is also interested in Clarion, which hosts trade shows in China via its Global Sources business, one of the people said. Clarion could fetch around 12 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, that person said, potentially valuing the company around 2 billion pounds. Reuters reported last year that Blackstone had started exploring options for the business. Spokespeople for Blackstone, KKR, Hillhouse, CVC, PAI Partners and Ardian declined to comment. Clarion did not immediately return requests for comment. The business would be one of the biggest private equity assets to come to market after weeks of volatility triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, which led to the biggest decline in dealmaking globally for 20 years. Blackstone has been waiting for clarity on the economic outlook and the impact of Trump's tariffs before launching the process, the people said. Clarion has been managing its cost base and cashflows and monitoring economic pressures, it said in a review of the first half of its 2024-2025 financial year, adding that cashflows were outperforming budget. There is no guarantee that a deal will emerge, the people said. Investor sentiment has picked up in recent weeks after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily slash tariffs. Share benchmarks in Europe (.STOXX), opens new tab and the U.S. (.SPX), opens new tab have recovered from their tumbles after Trump's April 2 tariff announcement. Prada's $1.38 billion purchase of smaller rival Versace from Capri Holdings, DoorDash's $3.6 billion offer for Deliveroo, and KKR's $3.1 billion deal for post-trade services business OSTTRA are among deals that have reached the finish line. Clarion, which organises the London International Horse Show among other events, saw revenue jump to 432.9 million pounds in the 12 months through January 2024 from 257 million pounds a year earlier, as the industry returned to normal in China and Hong Kong, according to its most recent results. ($1 = 0.7484 pounds)
