Informa retains top revenue ranking as Messe Frankfurt rejoins podium

Informa has retained its top spot in the Stax revenue rankings, as Messe Frankfurt joins the podium.

The table shows Informa and RX remain the largest exhibition organizers in 2024, with Clarion slipping into fourth position.

Both Hyve and dmg Events joined the top 10 after huge growth over the year – respectively acquisitive and organic, according to Stax.

That is your top story from the Week in Events. Your other industry headlines include:

• Events Venture Group completes strategic investment in Explori
• The Association of Event Organizers appoints Easyfairs CEO as new chair
• Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2025 sees record-breaking attendance

Continue reading for your complete Week in Events.

Informa, RX and Messe Frankfurt take top three in Stax rankings

The top 20 exhibition organizers saw annual revenue rise almost 15% to just over $10 billion, according to new rankings.

Figures from the Stax rankings show Informa retained the top post, with RX and Messe Frankfurt taking second and third place respectively.

The 14% overall industry growth was described as “broad-based”, being led by both global leaders and mid-tier challengers.

Informa and RX reported double-digit expansion, with the former achieving a record-breaking $2.74bn in exhibition-organizing revenues – including the acquisition of Ascential.

Hyve nearly doubled its revenues, reflecting both portfolio strength and the acquisitions of HLTH and POSSIBLE. dmg Events grew by approximately 70%, driven by strong performance in the energy and infrastructure sectors as well as Middle Eastern growth.

Messe Frankfurt, NürnbergMesse and IFEMA benefited from positive biennial effects to grow above 25%, whilst CloserStill and IEG reaped the rewards of strong portfolio management to expand at a similar pace.

Comparisons with the 2019 “high watermark” reveal the full arc of recovery and a significant reshuffling of leadership.

Aggregate revenues for the top 20 in 2024 were 20% above 2019 levels – confirming the industry has not just recovered, but grown.

Events Venture Group completes strategic investment in Explori

Events Venture Group has completed strategic investment in research organization Explori designed to accelerate industry growth.

The industry intelligence provider is the global leader in providing standardized feedback and data-driven benchmarking for events.

This move means Explori is now in a position to accelerate product developments, tech innovation and expand it’s global intelligence services with the backing of EVG’s syndication.

Mark Brewster, Explori CEO, said: “This syndication is more than just capital – it’s a true partnership with operators and investors who have scaled events and event technology, from the ground up.

“With EVG’s backing, we’re ready to ignite Explori’s next phase of growth.”

EVG sees this as a strategic move to help solve industry challenges and increase ROI across the events industry.

The expectation is that gaining more measurable performance through deeper insights and data-driven performance will result in significant industry growth.

Greg Topalian, founding EVG board mkember, said: “The challenge before us is how to deliver the highest levels of ROI, gain key insights into what our customers want and need and where industries are going.

“Explori is at the center of solving these challenges.”

The Association of Event Organizers appoints Easyfairs CEO as new chair

Allison Willis has been appointed chairwoman of the Association of Event Organizers (AEO).

The board made this decision during its most recent meeting with outgoing chair Rachel Swann taking on the role of past chair for the next 12 months.

Allison will have the task of continuing AEO’s member engagement momentum – delivering a fresh value proposition that reflects member needs.

The Easyfairs CEO said: “I’m truly honoured to take on the role of AEO chair at such an exciting time for our sector.

“There’s so much energy and ambition among our members and my priority is to harness that – working together to make the AEO experience even more rewarding, relevant and inspiring.”

AEO also announced that Andrew Williams, vice president of Informa, will take on the role of vice chair along with the appointment of several new additional board members.

The new board members include:

• Emma Barret (managing director of Broadway Events)
• Simon Albert (managing director of Messe Frankfurt UK)
• Tim Willoughby (managing director of Mark Allen Group)

Anna Golden, chief executive of AEO, added: “As we welcome Alison and Andrew into their new roles, my focus will be on deepening our member relationships and delivering on the promise of a refreshed value proposition – one that’s shaped by what our community truly wants and needs.”

Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2025 sees record-breaking attendance

Additive manufacturing trade fair Formnext Asia Shenzhen has reported record-breaking attendance.

The South China show saw figures rise by 78% following their 2025 edition.

Formnext’s rising prominence is positioning the fair as the industry hub for Asia’s manufacturing sectors with positive feedback from exhibitors.

Leo Xiao, marketing manager at PollyPolymer, said: “Our sales team was incredibly busy handling a constant stream of inquiries from international clients spanning the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Europe and the US and the organisers’ all-round support, both before and during the show, has been excellent.”

This is supported by Formnext reporting a significant increase in international attendance.

Global participation rose by 158% with 733 international visitors attending the event.

This indicates significant year-on-year growth as the figure has more than doubled for the second consecutive year.

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