Informa, one of the world’s largest events companies, is expanding its portfolio through another major acquisition. The company has agreed to acquire Blackstone-owned Clarion Events at an enterprise value of approximately $3 billion. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed toward the end of the fourth quarter of 2026. The acquisition will create a scale that goes beyond simply combining two event organizers. With the addition of more than 100 specialized B2B brands from Clarion, Informa’s live events portfolio will reach approximately 1,000 brands. The combined structure will operate across more than 40 sectors and over 30 countries.
Clarion organizes major international events across markets ranging from consumer electronics and defense and security to gaming, energy, and technology. Brands including IFA Berlin, DSEI, ICE Barcelona, Distributech, and ITC Vegas will become part of Informa’s portfolio once the transaction is completed. The deal is also part of a broader transformation within Informa’s corporate structure. While the company has begun the formal process of separating its academic publishing business, Taylor & Francis, it is concentrating its capital and growth strategy more heavily around B2B markets and live events. Following the addition of Clarion, Informa’s annual revenue from live B2B events is expected to exceed $5.7 billion, while total group revenue is projected to surpass $6 billion.
More Than 100 Event Brands Will Join the Portfolio
Founded in 1947, Clarion Events has nearly 80 years of experience in the international exhibitions and conferences industry. The company currently manages more than 100 specialized B2B brands. Its largest events include IFA, the consumer electronics trade show held in Berlin; DSEI, a major gathering for the defense and security sector; ICE in Barcelona for the gaming industry; Distributech, focused on energy infrastructure; and insurance technology event ITC Vegas.
One of the key aspects of the deal for Informa is the opportunity to enter sectors where it currently has a more limited presence through already established large-scale events. Clarion will add new categories in electronics, defense and security, and gaming, while also expanding Informa’s existing activities in technology and energy. Eight of Clarion’s major brands are reported to generate more than $30 million in annual revenue each. Once the acquisition is completed, the total number of Informa’s major and mid-sized flagship event brands is expected to exceed 100.
Live Events Revenue Will Exceed $5.7 Billion
Informa’s live B2B events operations have grown rapidly over the past 13 years. The company has increased revenue from this business more than tenfold during the period, taking annual live events revenue above $4 billion. With Clarion added to the portfolio, annual revenue from live events is expected to exceed $5.7 billion. The combined portfolio is also projected to achieve annual organic growth of more than 7 percent.
Clarion alone is expected to generate around $780 million in revenue in 2027, with an operating profit margin above 30 percent. Following completion of the acquisition, Clarion will continue to operate within Informa under its existing management structure. Clarion CEO Lisa Hannant will remain in her role and join Informa’s senior leadership team.
Events Will Expand Into New Countries
Informa’s growth plan is not limited to operating Clarion’s existing events in their current markets. The company intends to take strong brands into new countries and apply established event concepts in additional markets. This model follows the international expansion strategy Informa has previously used with brands such as Money20/20 and Cannes Lions. There are also opportunities to take Clarion events into markets where Informa already has a strong presence but Clarion remains relatively limited, particularly the Middle East, India, and Africa.
The company also aims to connect the existing customer networks of both groups, expand sponsorship opportunities, and develop shared commercial models between brands operating in similar sectors. Informa expects the combination to generate approximately $68 million in annual operational savings. Additional operating profit from new revenue opportunities is targeted at around $34 million annually by 2029.
Event Revenue Is Moving Beyond Booths and Tickets
The acquisition also reflects the changing business model of major event organizers. Exhibition space sales, participation fees, and traditional sponsorships remain important, but companies are increasingly building year-round revenue streams around their events.
Informa plans to extend participant matchmaking systems, lead generation services, data and analytics products, and AI-supported digital tools across Clarion’s portfolio. Another area of growth involves agreements with hotels and destinations. Major international events regularly bring tens of thousands of professionals to specific cities, giving organizers opportunities to develop commercial partnerships not only with exhibition venues, but also with the accommodation sector and destination management organizations.
