Latest news with #InformaPLC
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Returns Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Madinah Region
City of Madinah to host forum with spotlight on elevating every step of the Umrah journey Presented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the three-day event will welcome over 150 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors Content sector focus includes technology, healthcare, airlines, mobility, and transport Event organisers Tahaluf to bring award-winning organisational expertise to expand the forum's reach The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF) ( is returning for its second edition from April 14 to 16, 2025 (16 – 18 Shawwal 1446H), at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah, Saudi Arabia with an expanded profile, renewed content focus and new organisers. Held under the esteemed patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Madinah Region, and presented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, UZF 2025 will set new benchmarks for the Umrah journey , building upon the remarkable success of its inaugural edition. The event will bring together Umrah service providers, business leaders, policymakers, and innovators worldwide, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to enriching the journey of the Guests of Allah while driving investment and transformation in the sector. The event is the largest and only of its kind, with the 2025 edition organised for the first time by Tahaluf, the strategic joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund. The event will see an expanded global presence, welcoming attendees and exhibitors from more than 70 countries and introducing new content sectors, including technology, healthcare, airlines, mobility, and transport, to explore how cross-industry advancements can streamline the Umrah experience. The event will be a dynamic mix of a world-class conference, an immersive exhibition, and insightful workshops. 'UZF 2025 is more than a forum; it is a movement dedicated to elevating the Umrah and Ziyarah journey through collaboration, investment, and innovation. We are privileged to be responsible for organising this unique and important global gathering that will shape the future of pilgrimage services and enhance the experience for millions of visitors,' said Faariss Khalil, Exhibition Director, Tahaluf With the tagline 'Enriching Every Step of the Umrah Journey,' UZF 2025, sponsored by the Saudi Tourism Authority, aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 developmental blueprint by serving as a catalyst for development and cultural awareness, in Makkah and Madinah, fostering collaboration, digital innovation, and service excellence. The Kingdom's impressive milestone of welcoming over 14 million visitors to Madinah in 2023 underscores the growing importance of a seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience. Among the UZF 2025 line-up of sponsors, Rua Al Madinah Holding (Official Partner), Al Rajhi for Umrah (Strategic Sponsor), Tasheer (Strategic Sponsor), Knowledge Economic City (Strategic Sponsor), SAR (Platinum Sponsor), Taibah Investments (Makarem) (Platinum Sponsor), Tawuniya Insurance (Official Insurance Partner), Movenpick (Gold Sponsor) and Mansky (Bronze Sponsor) who will showcase pioneering solutions to enhance Umrah services and foster long-term industry collaborations. The event is also expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors, including business leaders, investors, Umrah travel experts and professionals, decision makers, diplomatic representatives, non-profit organisations, media, entrepreneurs and innovators, and Umrah sector operators. Attendees will gain exclusive insights from high-level decision-makers, thought leaders, and global stakeholders through a dynamic conference program. The conference will feature deep discussions on the future of Umrah services, digital transformation, and operational excellence. Additionally, the accompanying exhibition will showcase innovations across hospitality, transport, sustainable practices, and smart pilgrimage services, setting a new benchmark for Umrah experiences worldwide. Tahaluf, which is behind some of Saudi Arabia's biggest events, including the Kingdom's award-winning technology event LEAP, is leveraging its strong organisational and marketing capabilities to expand the forum's content and global reach and solidify UZF as the premier global platform dedicated to enhancing the Umrah and Ziyarah experience. For more information, visit: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Umrah and Ziyarah Forum. About Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2024: The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum bring together decision-makers, experts, and innovators from various fields related to Umrah and Ziyarah. Additionally, it will feature significant participation of leading organizations, authorities, and dynamic companies from both within the Kingdom and abroad. During the forum 2024, six roundtable discussions were held, along with six focus groups, with participation from forty-two speakers. About Tahaluf: Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms. Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world's largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future. In 2024 Tahaluf was responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP&DeepFest, as well as 24 Fintech, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI. For more information about Tahaluf, visit
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Informa PLC (IFJPY) (FY 2024) Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue and Strategic Growth ...
Revenue Growth: Double-digit revenue growth in 2024. Adjusted Operating Profit Growth: Over 20% growth in adjusted operating profit. Dividend Growth: Double-digit dividend growth. Free Cash Flow: Strong performance in free cash flow. Share Buyback Program: Recommencing with a minimum of $200 million for the year. Academic Markets Business Revenue: Best-ever revenue and performance in 2024. Recurring Revenue Growth: Around 4% in the academic markets business. B2B Revenue: Expected to be over $4 billion in 2025. Geographic Revenue Growth: Significant growth in the United States, China, Asia, and GCC in Southeast Asia. 2025 Revenue Guidance: 5% consistent group underlying growth; 7%+ for B2B business. Earnings Growth: Another year of double-digit earnings growth expected. Capital Allocation: Focus on reinvestment, dividends, buybacks, and maintaining a strong balance sheet. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with IFJPY. Release Date: March 06, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Informa PLC (IFJPY) reported an outstanding year in 2024 with double-digit revenue growth, over 20% adjusted operating profit growth, and double-digit dividend growth. The company achieved significant international growth, particularly in the United States, China, Asia, and the GCC in Southeast Asia. Investments in enterprise technology platforms and data platforms during COVID-19 are yielding significant returns, boosting confidence for 2025. Informa PLC (IFJPY) has a strong balance sheet, allowing for the recommencement of a share buyback program with a minimum of $200 million for the year. The company has successfully expanded its B2B brand portfolio, now boasting 65 marquee and power brands, up from six a decade ago. Some revenue from academic markets is one-off and non-recurring, which could impact future financial stability. The company did not provide specific adjusted operating profit guidance for 2025, which may cause investor uncertainty. There are concerns about potential impacts from geopolitical factors, such as tariffs and supply chain disruptions, particularly in the US market. The academic segment faces challenges from indirect funding cuts in the US, which could affect research funding and revenue. Despite strong growth, the company acknowledges that the market will remain skeptical and Informa PLC (IFJPY) will need to continue outperforming to see sustained benefits. Q: You haven't been specific on adjusted operating profit guidance for 2025, which might make investors nervous. Can we assume margins won't go backwards compared to 2024? A: Stephen Carter, Group Chief Executive, clarified that Informa has never provided adjusted operating profit guidance except during COVID. He assured that margins will grow and there is no intention to reduce them. Gareth Wright, Group Finance Director, added that the company aims to progressively expand margins through the One Informa period. Q: Can you provide an example of how data offerings enhance revenue per exhibitor at exhibitions? A: Stephen Carter explained that Informa launched a branded product called Lead Insights, initially from their Dubai business, which offers pre-qualified lead products to exhibitors. This service is used to improve marketing efficiency and drive more qualified buyers to trade shows. Q: What is the outlook for forward bookings from January and February shows into 2026? A: Stephen Carter stated that forward bookings are positive, with visibility into the first half of 2025 and beyond. In some regions, particularly the GCC, they are booking for larger shows in early 2026 due to new capacity. Q: Can you update us on the situation in China and its impact on your business? A: Gareth Wright noted that while no events have been traded in China yet for 2025, the company is comfortable with existing growth levels. Both China and Hong Kong have recovered to pre-COVID levels, and the ASEAN business is performing strongly, contributing significantly to regional growth. Q: How should we think about your approach to share buybacks? Is it a permanent strategy? A: Gareth Wright confirmed that share buybacks are part of Informa's permanent capital allocation policy. The company has committed to an initial minimum of GBP200 million for 2025, with the potential for more depending on the year's developments and inorganic investment opportunities. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
