Informa has agreed to acquire Clarion Events from Blackstone for an enterprise value of £2.24 billion ($2.97 billion), adding more than 100 specialist event brands to its global business-to-business portfolio, including major gambling industry exhibitions ICE and iGB events.
The transaction is expected to close toward the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
The deal will significantly expand London-listed Informa’s position in the international live-events market. Clarion operates across gaming, electronics, defence and security, energy and technology, with major brands including ICE Barcelona, IFA Berlin, DSEI, Distributech and ITC Vegas.
Its gaming portfolio also includes the iGB event business and other major sector gatherings such as the Indian Gaming Tradeshow.
Clarion, founded in 1947, employs more than 1,600 people across 50 offices worldwide. Blackstone acquired the company in September 2017.
Informa expects Clarion to generate more than £575 million in revenue during 2027, with adjusted operating profit margins above 30%. Clarion’s annual events have been recording underlying revenue growth of around 10%, while its biennial events are expected to contribute approximately £100 million in additional year-on-year revenue in 2027.
Informa plans to fund the acquisition through committed financing alongside an equity placing and retail offer expected to raise about £940 million. The company will also pause its existing share-buyback programme and redirect capital toward the transaction.
Following the acquisition, Informa expects net debt-to-EBITDA to remain below three times at the end of 2026 before falling below 2.5 times by the end of 2027.
The group has identified around £50 million in annual operating synergies through procurement, shared services, event delivery efficiencies and the removal of overlapping corporate costs.
Informa is also targeting approximately £25 million in additional annual operating profit from revenue synergies by 2029. These are expected to come from expanding Clarion brands internationally, cross-marketing opportunities, digital and data services and additional sponsorship revenue.
Clarion will initially continue operating as a distinct business within Informa following completion. Chief executive Lisa Hannant will remain in charge and join Informa’s executive leadership team.
The first months following completion will focus on preserving Clarion’s existing 2027 event schedule and limiting disruption during the integration process.
The acquisition forms part of a broader strategic restructuring announced by Informa on 6 October. The company is also beginning a process to separate its academic publishing business, Taylor & Francis, allowing the group to concentrate more heavily on B2B markets and live events.
Once Clarion is incorporated, Informa expects its B2B Live Events operations to generate more than £4.2 billion in annual revenue across around 1,000 specialist brands covering more than 40 market categories and over 30 countries.