Informa B2B events report 11.1% revenue surge in Jan-Oct

Informa’s business events division has posted double-digit revenue growth of more than 11% from January to October 2024, riding strong global demand for in-person experiences.

Informa Markets led the surge with a 13.5% increase, followed by Informa Tech (+11.2%) and Informa Connect (+4.9%). Get the complete details below.

Here are the top headlines for your weekly event news updates:

• Informa B2B events report 11.1% revenue surge in Jan-Oct 2024
• Business events drive €5bn+ value for destinations in 2024: report
• Excel London accelerates towards net zero with major sustainability investment
• Easyfairs acquires gaming event to strengthen pop culture portfolio
• CloserStill Media launches new AI-focused Cloud Expo

Read: How ExpoPlatform’s sustainability program helped Informa plant 1,000 trees at MRO Americas 2024.

Informa B2B events report 11.1% revenue surge in Jan-Oct 2024

Informa Plc reported an 11.1% revenue increase in its B2B events division for the first 10 months of 2024.

The growth was driven by strong performance across global markets and continued demand for face-to-face business experiences.

We’ve just released our Ten-Month Trading Update showing our consistent strong performance so far this year with growth in all major regions, plus updates on the creation of Informa Festivals and Informa TechTarget.

Find out more here: https://t.co/pmciz2lZ4A pic.twitter.com/Dpo8v1OJmp

— Informa Plc (@InformaPLC) November 19, 2024

Group CEO Stephen A. Carter said: “Informa continues to deliver a strong performance in 2024, with forward bookings providing momentum into 2025.

“This year sees us complete our four-year GAP2 programme, where our performance has demonstrated the structural growth in our chosen markets, our geographic strength in the US and IMEA in particular, and the power of our market-leading specialist B2B Brands and proprietary first-party data.”

Key performance indicators:

• Transaction-led live events (Informa Markets): up 13.5%
• Tech-focused B2B events (Informa Tech): up 11.2%
• Content-led events (Informa Connect): up 4.9%
• Overall group revenue growth: 10.7%
• Academic Markets division: up 10%

Revenue distribution by region:

• Americas: 45%
• Asia/ASEAN: 25%
• India, Middle East and Africa: 10%
• UK/Europe: 10%

The company reported particular strength in emerging markets, with its Cityscape Global event in Riyadh generating more than $61 billion in transactions and sales while attracting over 170,000 participants.

Financial outlook and projections:

• Projected group revenue: £3.5bn
• Adjusted operating profit: exceeding £975 million
• Free cash flow: more than £750m
• Expected year-end leverage: 2.5x Net Debt to EBITDA
• Secured €1.75bn in bonds at an average cost of 3.33% to support long-term growth.

Looking ahead, Informa plans to integrate its three live B2B events businesses (Informa Markets, Informa Connect, and the forthcoming Informa Festivals) in 2025.

The ‘One Informa’  program for 2025-2028 will target 5% annual revenue growth through closer alignment of its business operations, brand, technology and data analytics.

The company also announced the appointment of Catherine Levene as a non-executive director, bringing additional expertise in US markets and digital media.

Business events drive €5bn+ value for destinations in 2024 – report

Business events generated more than €5bn across major global destinations in 2024, according to a new industry report.

The Global Destination Report 2024 – produced by The Business of Events (TBOE) and ICC Belfast – found that Western Europe, Central Europe and North America each reported event-driven contributions exceeding €5bn.

We joined @TheBizofEvents @IBTMevents to unveil the 2024 Global Destination Report 📝

ICC Belfast Sales Director, Ross Moffett, helped launch this report offering insights from leading business event destinations globally.

Download your copy here: https://t.co/iNNOl8S6yl pic.twitter.com/nEKpVQwFq4

— ICC Belfast | International Convention Centre (@BelfastICC) November 19, 2024

Over 50% of surveyed regions reported annual event-driven contributions above €100m.

However, smaller cities and developing regions lag behind in capturing economic benefits from business events.

Martin Fullard, TBOE director,  said: “The 2024 Global Destination Report serves as an essential tool for industry stakeholders to understand the real-time challenges and opportunities in the business events sector.

“Our findings reveal that while many regions benefit economically, the sector still faces an advocacy gap with policymakers.

“We’re proud to provide data that destinations can leverage to secure funding and make the case for the essential role business events play in economic and social development.”

The report – released at IBTM World – highlighted persistent staffing shortages across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

While most developed regions maintained stable or increasing budgets, Central and South American destinations faced budget cuts.

Government support remains a challenge, with most respondents citing insufficient recognition of the sector’s economic value.

The study found that over-tourism does not significantly impact business events, with 82% of respondents reporting no adverse effects.

The report recommends implementing tax incentives and strengthening industry-academic partnerships to address talent shortages.

Excel London accelerates towards net zero with sustainability investment

Excel London has invested in hybrid machinery and alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions at its convention center, taking another step toward its net zero goals.

The venue acquired hybrid scissor and boom lifts while switching to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel, which saves 75 tonnes of CO2 annually compared to diesel.

LATEST: #ExcelLondon has moved a step closer to its net zero commitments by investing in a new fleet of hybrid plant machinery.

In addition to the six-figure investment, the team has also switched to electric equipment where possible and using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)… pic.twitter.com/t7Yg4vQ8xH

— Excel London (@ExCeLLondon) November 18, 2024

Natalie Sykes, the venue’s sustainability manager, said: “As a signatory for the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, Excel remains committed to measuring and reducing its carbon footprint, as well as helping to shape the future of events into one that is net zero, resource efficient and equitable.

“Such measures are fully supported by ADNEC, the Excel Board and the wider Excel team, and allows us to prioritise decarbonisation by investing in schemes such as our new hybrid fleet of scissor lifts.”

Excel London aims to cut emissions 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. The facility operates on renewable electricity and maintains a zero-waste-to-landfill policy.

The convention center is owned by ADNEC Group and houses a wormery where 300,000 worms convert food waste into compost for the venue’s grounds.

The investment follows Excel’s transition from diesel to biofuel in May 2023.

Easyfairs acquires gaming event to strengthen pop culture portfolio

Easyfairs has taken over GameForce to strengthen its pop culture portfolio that includes FACTS, Heroes Comic Con and Made in Asia.

The noted event will join the company’s HEROES umbrella brand, which has hosted events across Belgium and the Netherlands.

Easyfairs Belgium CEO Kenneth Verheyden said: “Thanks to this acquisition, we have become the only relevant gaming event player in Belgium.

“The addition of the gaming segment to our current pop culture events also offers great opportunities for advertisers in Belgium and the Netherlands.”

Steven Leunens, co-CEO of Unlocked, added: “We are convinced that Easyfairs is the right partner to continue GameForce’s growth.

“Easyfairs’ community-focused approach aligns perfectly with GameForce’s values.”

The next combined GameForce, Made in Asia, and Heroes Comic Con event is scheduled at Brussels Expo on October 18 and 19. Made in Asia will run separately from March 7 to 9.

Easyfairs’ portfolio includes the 30-year-running FACTS at Flanders Expo, Brussels-based Made in Asia and Heroes Comic Con as well as Heroes Dutch Comic Con in the Netherlands.

In a separate development, Easyfairs Belgium announced its transition to 100% green electricity across its four venues starting January 2025.

Energy supplier NieuweStroom will provide power to Antwerp Expo, Flanders Expo, Namur Expo, and Mechelen-Brussels North.

Alain D’Haese, COO & head of venues at Easyfairs Belgium, said: “By choosing NieuweStroom we’re taking a major step towards a greener future and contributing to the broader energy transition in Belgium.

“It’s one of many initiatives here in Belgium and across the entire Easyfairs group, which we described in detail in our first annual sustainability report, published earlier in the year.”

The company signed the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge in October 2021, committing to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

Solar panels currently supply 80% of Antwerp Expo’s and 45% of Flanders Expo’s electricity needs. The venues feature LED lighting systems and 120 electric vehicle charging stations.

CloserStill Media launches new AI-focused Cloud Expo

CloserStill Media has refreshed its Cloud Expo series to include artificial intelligence infrastructure, launching globally in 2025.

The rebranded Cloud & AI Infrastructure expo will debut at Tech Show London on March 12 and 13 at ExCeL London, before rolling out across Singapore, Frankfurt, Paris and Madrid.

The expansion follows record growth in the existing Cloud Expo series, which saw attendance increase 75% over two years across five territories.

The new focus addresses the increasing demands on IT infrastructure driven by AI adoption.

Alice MacGregor, head of marketing and content at CloserStill Media, said: “As the tech landscape transforms, we must also adapt our event offering to remain at the forefront of innovation.

“This refresh represents a strategic reset of our vision, showcasing our dedication to delivering events that reflect the latest industry advancements and change for good.

“We are excited to revamp this platform, empowering our global audiences to thrive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.”

CloserStill developed the new format following market research and industry consultation. The expo will showcase compute, storage and networking solutions for AI deployment, while facilitating collaboration between hyperscalers, colocation providers, telecommunications companies and cloud-managed service providers.

The event series operates as part of CloserStill Media’s technology portfolio, which hosts business technology events across global markets.

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