NEWS
In the spotlight
The stories , topics and trends making headlines in recent weeks .
Revenue up for Informa and Easyfairs
Informa has published a trading update , confirming an increase in full year expectations .
The group reports strength and momentum across the portfolio , with a 10-month underlying revenue growth of 31.7 %. This has led to an increase in 2023 full year expectations , with revenues of £ 3.15bn + ( from £ 3.05bn ) and Adjusted Operating Profit of £ 840m + ( from £ 790m ).
Full year revenues are expected to exceed 2019 precovid levels in North America , South America , ASEAN , the Middle East , Europe and China .
Similarly , growth is reported in all major market categories in 2023 , with particularly strong performances in Healthcare ( Arab Health , Medlab ), Health & Nutrition ( Natural Products Expo West , Supplyside West ), Pharma ( CPhI Worldwide , CPhI China ), Beauty ( China Beauty Expo ) and Luxury ( Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show , Art Miami , Monaco Yacht Show ).
The group reports technology enabling better matchmaking between buyers and sellers , ondemand access to content and data supporting faster decision making .
The financial report did note that the ongoing conflict and macro-economic challenges in some countries , including heightened inflation , higher interest rates and variable demand , is creating a degree of market uncertainty and volatility .
Easyfairs has announced a 19 % increase in revenues .
The company ’ s end of year financial results show further growth after its rebound from the pandemic .
Its annual revenues grew to € 193.8m ( USD $ 207.2m ), an increase of 19 % on the previous year . Recurring EBITDA hit € 35.6 million , an increase of 25 % in 2021-22 . The results see Easyfairs moving up to number 11 in the Stax Top 20 ranking of world exhibition organisers by 2022 revenues .
Easyfairs chief financial officer Marc Hellemans said : “ We have more than weathered the storm of Covid-19 . We have achieved more than 15 % organic growth through a mix of volume recovery and launches .
“ In March we fully refinanced all bank debt until the end of 2027 , strengthening our liquidity position with pre-Covid terms , putting us in an excellent position to develop new and future activities .”
The results also underline how resilient the events industry has proved to be to the company . Easyfairs Group CEO Matt Benyon commented : “ Our results were further strengthened by a 9 % layer of revenues generated by events launched over the past two years . We also successfully enlarged our portfolio of trade shows with Coiltech , Kuteno and KPA , all of them perfectly aligned with the Easyfairs brand , and now the market is back stronger than ever .”
Julie Driscoll to rejoin Hyve as executive vice-president
Julie Driscoll is returning to organiser Hyve as executive vice-president , where she will have overall responsibility for Hyve ’ s international EdTech , Global Natural Resources , Retail , Manufacturing , and Engineering portfolios .
Driscoll will return to Hyve in the new year after serving less than a year as Olympia London CEO . She had previously led teams at Hyve as a divisional MD and UK regional director .
Driscoll said : “ While it is with a heavy heart I bid the team at Olympia goodbye , this is a dream role for me , and I look forward to supporting the hundreds of amazing people , across 28 brilliant shows , and fully embracing the opportunities which lie ahead .” Driscoll ’ s new EVP role complements the recent appointment of Jose Papa as executive VP , Americas . Together , Driscoll and Papa will spearhead Hyve ’ s day-to-day operations , championing commercial focus and operational excellence across the business .
06 — Winter