Value of first quarter exhibition and conference M&As up 169.1 percent from 2007

There were fewer mergers and acquisitions in the exhibitions and conferences sector during the first quarter of 2008, yet the value of the deals that took place increased significantly, according to the Jordan Edmiston Group's First Quarter 2008 Media and Information M&A Review. Overall, during the first quarter of the year there were 14 deals in the exhibitions and conferences sector, down from 17 during the same period in 2007 – but the value of those deals totaled $328 million, up 169.1 percent from the first quarter in 2007.

Among the more notable deals in the exhibition and conference sector during the first quarter was VSS's acquisition of Clarion Events from HG Capital for $234 million. Another was JEGI's sale of Gartner's Vision Events to then CMP as well as the sale of The Becker Group to Viad.

Overall there were 202 media sector deals during the first quarter of the year, totaling $13.4 billion and spanning 11 industry sectors. It's an above average performance as compared with the past several years, although the number of deals was down 2 percent. Yet, the overall value of the deals made rose 5 percent.

The Jordan Edmiston Group said in its quarterly summary of the media mergers and acquisitions market that it believes despite the state of the economy and credit concerns, buyers are still interested in and able to complete deals for mid-sized companies.

Overall, the rise in the value of the media deals completed in the first quarter was driven by the online media and the marketing and interactive services sectors. Such issues are now being discussed at the SISO CEO Summit held in St. Petersburg, FL, USA.

Back