Acquisitions amid ‘break from comfort zone’ for PCMA

It’s been a week of acquisitions as event businesses move to strengthen their strategic footing in 2023.

We’re leading with PCMA, but both ASM Global and Emerald have also announced strategic takeovers which we will take a closer look at.

Meanwhile, Informa Group held onto its top spot in a rankings list with focus on sustainability.

Today we also want to highlight and send a message of solidarity to all celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day – let us mark this occasion day by remembering his teachings.

Read on for your full week in events.

PCMA to break from ‘comfort zone’ amid new takeovers

PCMA has vowed to break out of its “comfort zone” after announcing new acquisitions.

The association revealed it has taken over Event Marketing Association, Event Leadership Institute (ELI) and entered new partnerships.

These include working with the American Geophysical Union to improve sustainability and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.

Sherrif Karamat, CEO of PCMA, said: “As of today, we are only moving forward – blazing a trail forward with and for the global business events community.

“We will innovate. We will take risks. We will get outside our comfort zone and we will always do it for our audiences.”

PCMA has acquired ELI with the aim of offer a more compelling portfolio of learning solutions and content. 

Its move to take over the Event Marketing Association builds on its previous acquisition of CEMA in 2020.

Doha to host next UFI MEA Conference

Doha has been announced as the destination of the UFI MEA Regional Conference for the first time.

The event will be held at a five-star hotel in the city and hosted by Visited Qatar between May 9 and 11.

It will be attended by senior representatives from government entities, convention bureaus, tourism boards, venues, organizers and more from across the world.

UFI will hold its next UFI MEA Regional Conference in Doha, from 9-11 May 2023, hosted by Visit Qatar.

Read the full media release here > https://t.co/fbZfh0XI0k#ufi #ufievents #mea #ufimea #meaevents #eventprofs #ufinews pic.twitter.com/8OJGUY0uQx

— UFI (@UFILive) January 12, 2023

Naji El Haddad, UFI’s MEA regional director, said: “Qatar is an ideal place to host the 2023 UFI Regional Conference, as the city enjoys a vibrant, safe and promising business environment for everyone in the exhibition industry ecosystem.

“The conference is an important meeting place for strategists, executives and professionals from across the industry’s value chain, to discuss the latest trends and opportunities that help build a resilient, sustainable business growth.”

The conference will present strategies for events leaders and professionals as well as offering commercial business opportunities in one of the fastest growing markets.

ASM buys talent agency

ASM Global has bought renowned talent-buying agency Madison Entertainment.

The company has been booking a wide array of acts into concert venues, festivals, fairs, music cruises and private events for over two decades.

It will continue to serve its current client base while also dedicating resources to booking ASM Global managed arenas and its nationwide network of 57 theaters and amphitheaters.

ASM Global CEO Ron Bension said: “We are committed to add resources to our promoter and live content division in order to ensure that all of our managed venues continue to be leaders in live-event performances.

“We are excited to add Madison to join and assist our existing in-house talent bookers and general managers at these incredible venues.”

Informa tops ESG rankings

Informa has held onto its top spot in a prestigious global media and entertainment sector rankings.

The organizer took number one in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the second year in a row.

It was awarded a score of 79 out of 100 and marks the the fifth time it has been included in the list which measures the performance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.

We are very proud to be ranked top in our sector for the second year running by the prestigious Dow Jones #Sustainability Indices, which measure the performance of the world’s leading companies using environmental, social and governance criteria. https://t.co/ttmrKg2N0p #ESG pic.twitter.com/bXGjDSlJbf

— Informa Plc (@InformaPLC) January 13, 2023

Stephen Carter, group CEO, said: “ESG is a critical focus for Informa so it is great to see our efforts recognised in the DJSI.

“Through FasterForward, we have a clear plan to further increase the positive impact we have on all our communities, stakeholders and the environment.”

FasterForward is a five-year plan which sets out commitments across a wide range of activities covering Informa’s business operations, its brands and products as well as broader community impact.

Emerald ‘formally enters’ B2C world with acquisition

Emerald has taken a further step into the B2C world with a new takeover aimed at building on its decades of experience in outdoor recreation.

The acquisition involves  Lodestone Events, producers of the successful Overland Expo series of vehicle-based, adventure travel consumer shows.

All employees will join the Emerald team, with founders Lindsay Hubley and Jessica Kirchner joining the organizer’s management team. 

Hervé Sedky, CEO of Emerald, said: “Formally entering the B2C event space is paramount to Emerald’s corporate strategy of expanding into new and high-growth markets to accelerate top-line growth and unlock significant value for shareholders.

 “Adding a best-in-class consumer event series like Overland Expo demonstrates our successful implementation of this strategy and provides Emerald with talented leaders in this space, who together will enable us to continue to advance Emerald’s core services of live event connections, content, and commerce.”

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