GL events Expands Healthcare Portfolio with MCO Congrès Acquisition
GL events has announced the acquisition of MCO Congrès, a leading Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) specializing in scientific and medical conferences. The acquisition, completed on 28 July, marks a significant step in strengthening the company’s Healthcare and Science division while expanding its exhibitions and congress business across Europe.
The strategic move reinforces GL events’ commitment to delivering world-class medical and scientific events and enhancing its presence in the rapidly growing healthcare meetings industry.
MCO Congrès Brings More Than Three Decades of Expertise
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Marseille, France, MCO Congrès has built a strong reputation as one of the country’s leading Professional Congress Organisers. The company employs 33 professionals and generates an annual revenue of approximately €14 million.
With more than 35 years of industry expertise, MCO Congrès has successfully organized over 1,500 scientific and medical congresses, serving learned societies, healthcare organizations, research institutions, and corporate clients.
Its experience in planning and managing high-level medical conferences makes it a valuable addition to GL events’ growing healthcare portfolio.
Villa Gaby to Remain the Headquarters
As part of the acquisition, Villa Gaby, the iconic headquarters of MCO Congrès, will continue to serve as the company’s operational base.
Located on Marseille’s famous Kennedy Corniche, the historic Italian-style villa dates back to the late 19th century and has become a renowned venue dedicated to science and medicine.
Villa Gaby regularly hosts:
- Scientific symposiums
- Medical congresses
- Executive seminars
- Strategic meetings
- Committee meetings
- Masterclasses
- Events for learned societies, professional associations, and corporate organizations
The venue has played an important role in promoting medical excellence while strengthening Marseille’s reputation as an international destination for healthcare and scientific events.
Strengthening GL events’ Health & Science Division
The acquisition aligns with GL events’ long-term strategy of expanding its Healthcare and Science activities through specialized congress organization.
By integrating MCO Congrès into its Exhibitions division, GL events aims to deliver enhanced services for medical associations, scientific communities, and healthcare professionals while creating greater opportunities for international collaboration.
The addition of MCO Congrès also strengthens GL events’ expertise in organizing highly specialized scientific congresses alongside its existing portfolio of exhibitions, conferences, and business events.
Leadership Statement
Commenting on the acquisition, Olivier Ginon, Chairman of GL events, said that integrating MCO Congrès demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to expanding and strengthening its Health & Science division, particularly in the organization of professional congresses.
He added that the acquisition will also contribute to increasing the attractiveness and international visibility of the Marseille region as a leading destination for scientific, medical, and healthcare events.
Positive Outlook for the Medical Meetings Industry
The acquisition reflects the continued growth of the global healthcare meetings sector, where scientific collaboration, medical education, and international congresses are becoming increasingly important.
With MCO Congrès joining the GL events family, the company is well positioned to expand its capabilities in organizing high-quality medical congresses while supporting innovation, knowledge exchange, and international networking within the healthcare and scientific communities.
The move also reinforces GL events’ ambition to become one of Europe’s leading organizers of healthcare and scientific events, combining exhibition expertise with specialized congress management to deliver exceptional experiences for delegates, associations, and industry stakeholders.
