Informa has agreed to acquire Clarion Events, the organizer of ICE Barcelona and owner of the iGB brands, at an enterprise value of ￡2.24 billion ($3 billion).
Informa is a London-listed international group that organizes trade shows and conferences and provides digital business services and academic publishing. Its businesses include exhibition organizer Informa Markets and publisher Taylor & Francis.
The group announced the deal with Blackstone on October 6th. Completion is expected toward the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
The acquisition covers Clarion’s portfolio of more than 100 specialist B2B brands across industries including gaming, electronics, defense and energy. Informa identified gaming as one of three sectors in which the transaction would give it ‘immediate scale entry’.
In a separate statement, Clarion said: ‘For customers, exhibitors, sponsors, partners and suppliers, business will continue as usual.’
Clarion CEO Lisa Hannant will remain in her role and join Informa’s executive leadership team. During the first three to six months after completion, the business will operate under its existing plans and budgets for 2027.
Informa said it sees opportunities to expand Clarion’s brands into additional markets and develop revenue from digital services, sponsorship and partnerships with hotels and cities.
The cash transaction will be funded through acquisition financing and the net proceeds of an approximately ￡940 million ($1.24 billion) equity placing and retail offer.
Blackstone first invested in Clarion in 2017. The acquisition agreement coincides with Informa’s plans to separate Taylor & Francis as it focuses on its B2B business.
