Hanley Wood Exhibitions Buy Final
WASHINGTON – London-based information-conference company Informa PLC completed its purchase of Hanley Wood Exhibitions, the producer/owner of The International Surface Event (TISE), last Friday.
The $375 million deal, announced last month, also includes a 10-year partnership where Hanley Wood will provide editorial and marketing support for its former events.
The exhibition business sports the new name of Informa Exhibitions US, and its headquarters remain in Irving, Texas. Former Hanley Wood Exhibitions chief Rick McConnell also remains as president of Informa Exhibitions US, Construction and Real Estate.
“We are very excited about the addition of such an outstanding trade show business,” said Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive of Informa. “This is a terrific portfolio of leading construction exhibition brands that will become a key component of our Global Exhibitions Division.
“In combination with other recent acquisitions, we have significantly strengthened our presence in the U.S., demonstrating our commitment to the sector and the region.”
Informa operates offices in 43 countries worldwide with 6,000+ people. In addition to events, the company operations includes academic publishing (with 55,000+ titles available) and business intelligence with structured databases, news, research and business-critical information.
The wide panorama of events produced by Informa includes IPEX, one of the largest print/media/publishing events in the world; Arab Health and Middle East Electricity; EuroMediCom; China Beauty Expo; more than 50 shows and business forms in Canada; and the Monoco Yacht Show.
“We are confident that Informa is a great home for the Exhibitions business, and we look forward to working with Informa and maintaining our role as the official media and information provider to the various events we have supported for many years,” said Peter Goldstone, Hanley Wood CEO. “Hanley Wood will now focus on investing in and building our industry-leading digital information, insights and marketing services platforms for design and construction professionals.”
The purchase is Informa’s largest deal since Carter moved into Informa’s chief-executive post in January. Carter’s background includes heading up J. Walter Thompson’s operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland; Downing Street Chief of Staff for former Prime Minister Gordon Brown; and Minister for Communications, Technology & Broadcasting during Brown’s tenure in office.
Since he wasn’t a Member of Parliament at the time, heading the ministry required appointment to the House of Lords as a life peer; Carter’s title is Baron Carter of Barnes and he’s identified as Lord Carter of Barnes in the United Kingdom.
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