The week in events: a big week for acquisitions

Your weekly exhibition industry news round-up from ExpoPlatform. We highlight five top stories so you don’t miss out on what’s been happening – including announcements, insights, opinion and more.

A big week for acquisitions

There have been a number of important takeovers this week, so here’s a look at some:

Venues and Events International has taken over Absolute Corporate Events (ACE) and Absolute Digital Communications (ADC). 

Online services provided by ADC will now be available to all clients, while future plans are to be outlined during a in a live interactive broadcast on September 8.

The acquisition of the global exhibitions and production agency will see all staff retained, according to the report.

Future has bought over Dennis for £300 million. The firm said the deal would expand its reach in the US, improve its subscription revenue strategy and strengthen its footing in several verticals – including wealth, knowledge and B2B technology verticals.

ExpoPlatform advisory board member Simon Foster’s Arc has taken over AgriBriefing’s UK agriculture division. 

It means the Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming assets alongside all related digital platforms will be transferred, as well as events brands LAMMA, CropTec and the British Farming Awards.

Finally, Informa’s Fan Expo HQ has acquired six Wizard World events – including Chicago, Building Global Fan Con Juggernaut.

This will surely shake-up the mega industry, with six of the best attended comic and fan conventions from the business now belonging to the events giant’s portfolio.

Proof of vaccination required for two Las Vegas shows

Proof of vaccination will be required to attend CES 2022.

We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will announce additional protocols closer to the show. https://t.co/qLWZkVtqgP pic.twitter.com/KLLkhlC8BW

— CES (@CES) August 17, 2021

In-person attendees to two Las Vegas events – including of world’s most influential technology trade shows – will need to prove coronavirus vaccination status.

The Consumer Technology Association, which owns and produces CES 2022, is also considering proof of a positive antibody test as an alternative for entry to the “world’s most influential” technology trade show.

A digital offering will coincide with the in-person programme for those unable to attend the January show in Las Vegas physically.

Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, said: “We all play a part in ending the pandemic through encouraging vaccinations and implementing the right safety protocols. We are taking on our responsibility by requiring proof of vaccination to attend CES 2022 in Las Vegas.”

Meanwhile, the 2021 NAB Show in October is to require proof of Covid-19 vaccination status due to health concerns.

In a letter, NAB’s Chris Brown said: “We are keenly aware of health and safety concerns tied to the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant and want to assure you that we are putting in place a comprehensive, data-driven plan that prioritizes safety and creates a productive environment at these events.”

Last week we highlighted how an organiser was asking for proof of vaccination to to a Brooklyn bar and beverage show. Is this another sign of how our industry will operate in future?

Demands for targeted support for Australian events industry

The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has called on the Australian Government to deliver for targeted support for companies which rely on income from the events industry,

Representatives have argued the vaccination roll out is an essential part of recovery, however there have been claims of little clarity for when meetings and exhibitions can restart across the country.

Conference and Meetings World reports the council claims the “ripple effect” of lockdowns has restricted travel and threatens the commercial viability of in-person events where they are allowed.

in-cosmetics Global and Asia rescheduled for 2022

Reed Exhibitions has announced that in-cosmetics Global and in-cosmetics Asia will be postponed until next year due to travel restrictions forced by the pandemic.

Exhibition World reports the former had been due to take place in October but will now be held in April, while the latter is to be held in November 2022.

Meanwhile, in-cosmetics Latin America, which was planned to take place in São Paulo, Brazil in September, will now be in held in November.

Do you know who owns virtual attendee data?

XLIVE reports an overview of one of the hottest topics in our industry: control of event data.

This article highlights the “huge oversight” on the issue, which has come to be a crucial in the minds of many exhibition organisers.

There has been a huge oversight within the industry when it comes to event data. Are you unknowingly giving up control of your attendee data?#eventdata #virtualevents #eventplatformhttps://t.co/TXscQvgAba pic.twitter.com/UMBYuyD2d8

— XLIVE (@XLIVECON) August 16, 2021

It also gives a summary of the attendee data policies of some of the main online event vendors.

The article said: “While platforms’ collection of attendee data has some benefits for attendees, such as enabling them to use the same login across events on the same platform, it is ultimately not in organisers’ best interest.”

We at ExpoPlatform agree.

Read here for our complete guide on how to care for and best use event data.

Meanwhile, SISO Summer Conference is taking place next week. We are delighted to be sponsoring this must-attend leadership event for organisers. Our chief operating officer Susan Merola will be there in Kentucky, so come along and connect. We’ll see you there!

Here’s another little extra: ExpoPlatform’s chief growth officer Luke Bilton has appeared on the latest episode of the In Case Of An Event podcast.

He explained how an organiser can grow digital revenue and the importance of data control. Read more and listen here.