London-based Clarion Events, which owns the rights to nearly 200 exhibitions and operates events in more than 50 countries, has been sold to New York-based Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, for nearly $780 million (£600 million), according to weekend reports from Sky News in London. Clarion has offices in the U.S., Germany, Brazil, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, The Netherlands, Turkey, Nigeria and South Africa. The company was most recently owned by Providence Equity Partners. Providence purchased the company three years ago. The deal is set to make Blackstone one of the biggest event company owners in the U.K.
Clarion’s portfolio includes the Olympia Horse Show, the World Counter-Terror Congress, The Baby Show, the House & Garden Show and the Conde Nast Traveller Luxury Fair. The portfolio also is diverse, including shows in gaming, technology, life sciences, retail and home décor, defense, energy, equestrian and travel, among others. Its exhibitions draw 1 million visitors annually.
Reach Clarion Events in Atlanta at (678) 285-3976; in London at (011) 44-020-7384-7700.
