Informa has announced plans to acquire Clarion Events, bringing together two major organisers of business-to-business (B2B) events and exhibitions. The proposed acquisition is expected to strengthen their global presence, expand growth opportunities and enhance the value delivered to customers, exhibitors, sponsors and industry partners.
The combination brings together Clarion Events’ portfolio of established event brands and sector expertise with Informa’s international reach, resources and digital capabilities. Both organisations share a focus on innovation, customer experience and the development of specialist markets across the global exhibitions and business events industry.
Informa–Clarion Events Acquisition to Support Global Growth
The proposed acquisition reflects the strength of Clarion Events’ market-leading brands, its established positions across attractive industries and geographical markets, and the expertise of its employees. By joining a larger international organisation, Clarion is expected to gain access to additional investment, operational capabilities and a broader global network.
The combination is also expected to create opportunities to accelerate growth across Clarion’s existing portfolio, expand into priority markets and strengthen data and digital capabilities. These developments could support the continued evolution of event products, services and experiences for businesses participating in exhibitions, conferences and other industry-focused events.
For the wider B2B events sector, the transaction highlights the continued importance of scale, international expansion and customer-focused innovation as organisers look to strengthen their positions in competitive global markets.
Clarion Events to Benefit from Informa’s International Reach
Becoming part of Informa is expected to provide Clarion Events with access to greater resources and a wider international platform. These advantages could help its brands expand into new markets, develop stronger industry connections and enhance the experiences offered to exhibitors, sponsors, visitors and business partners.
Clarion has built a diverse portfolio of events serving specialist industries and professional communities. With Informa’s global infrastructure and capabilities, the combined organisation expects to explore additional opportunities for investment, brand development and international growth.
The acquisition is also intended to support continued investment in Clarion’s products and services while enabling its brands to reach a broader audience. For businesses that depend on trade shows and industry events to generate leads, establish partnerships and explore new markets, the combination could create further opportunities for international engagement.
Leadership Highlights Shared Vision and Customer Value
Lisa Hannant, Chief Executive Officer of Clarion Events, described the acquisition as an important new chapter for the company. She acknowledged the contribution of Clarion’s teams in developing its portfolio of successful brands and building the organisation’s culture.
Hannant also expressed appreciation to Blackstone for its support and stewardship over the years. Under its ownership, Clarion has continued to develop its position in the global events and exhibitions market.
Stephen A. Carter, Group CEO of Informa, highlighted Clarion Events’ world-class B2B brands and talent. He also emphasised the strategic alignment between the two organisations, particularly their focus on major, specialist and international markets.
Both companies see opportunities to build on their complementary strengths, invest in their event portfolios and deliver greater value to customers and partners across the industries they serve.
Blackstone’s Investment in Clarion Events Enters a New Phase
Blackstone originally invested in Clarion Events in 2017, supporting its development as a major international events organiser. The proposed transaction represents the next stage in the company’s ambition to establish a global leader in events and exhibitions.
Lionel Assant, Global co-CIO at Blackstone, described Informa as the ideal partner for Clarion’s next chapter. He highlighted the benefits of combining international reach, industry expertise and a shared commitment to delivering strong customer experiences.
The transaction marks a significant development in Clarion’s ownership journey and reflects the strategic importance of established event brands
