LONDON – Clarion Events has expanded its presence in Asia’s growing design sector with the purchase of two high-profile shows. Design Shanghai and Design China Beijing were acquired by Clarion from Media 10, which was represented by JEGI/Clarity in the negotiations.
“The global design sector is highly dynamic, and China is one of the world’s biggest markets,” said Neil Gaisford, London-based Clarion’s Managing Director, Retail & Home Division. “We have been impressed with the management team’s ambition and approach, and we see a great future for design events in the region.”
Clarion’s newly acquired shows have put up solid metrics in the short time they have been in existence. Design Shanghai, launched five years ago, reported a show-record 14,000 VIP attendees on the opening day of the 2019 show. They were among a total crowd of more than 70,000 at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. “We have been following the success of Design Shanghai with great interest since its inception in 2014 and we are extremely excited about our new partnership,” Gaisford said.
Design China Beijing debuted this year with 6,500 gross square meters (69,965 square feet) at the China National Agricultural Exhibition Centre in Beijing. Like the Shanghai show, it was aimed at connecting international exhibitors with a regional audience of architects, interior designers, real estate developers, retailers and design enthusiasts.
“Shanghai’s fast-growing architecture and design community provides a perfect backdrop for us to mount Asia’s largest design event,” said Show Director Zhuo Tan, who will join Clarion as part of the transaction. “This year’s show grew 20% in size compared to 2018. We are seeing increasing interest from some of the most respected global design brands who are responding to the region’s growing appetite for world-class design.”
Media 10 will continue to organize events in China as part of its worldwide portfolio of around 30 exhibitions and other live events. “We have accomplished something that very few event organizers have been able to do in China — to independently launch and successfully scale a world-class exhibition,” Media 10 Founder and CEO Lee Newton said. “This transaction now leaves Media 10 in a great position to explore new investment and acquisition opportunities both in China and across other parts of the world.”
Reach Neil Gaisford at +44 (0) 20 7384 7700 or neil.gaisford@clarionevents.com; Lee Newton at +44 (0)20 3225 5200 or lee.newton@media-10.com; Zhuo Tan at +86 (0)21 6433 0668, x818 or zhuo.tan@media-ten.cn.
