NEW YORK — In a time of generalized uncertainty, there are signs everywhere that the trade show industry continues to thrive. London-based Clarion Events, one of the world’s leading independent event organizers and portfolio company of Blackstone, has announced it has acquired California-based Quartz Events, the fastest growing producer of invitation-only, executive summits.
“The acquisition comes at the perfect time,” Greg Topalian, Clarion Events North American CEO, said. “The Quartz Team has both figured out how to unlock customer value at an executive level with their guaranteed meetings program, while also making one of the most brilliant transitions I’ve seen to virtual. Their digital business model fits perfectly with our virtual strategy and will accelerate growth for Clarion both in North America and globally.”
JEGI | CLARITY represented Quartz Events in this transaction, the first B2B events-related transaction of scale to be completed since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March. JEGI | CLARITY is the leading independent investment bank for the global media, information, marketing, software and tech-enabled services sectors, with a global reach from New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Sydney.
This acquisition ensures Clarion can focus on providing customer value through their guaranteed meetings programs – MATCH, and by boosting both online and in-person communities. “I am excited at the opportunity to further expand our reach under the Clarion umbrella. We’ve developed some innovative new ways to build audiences and grow our current markets. With Clarion’s global reach, we are well-positioned for future market growth as well. As an entrepreneur, I was drawn to Clarion because of the cultural fit and the entrepreneur mindset within the organization,” Toby Harris, Quartz Events President and CEO, said.
Clarion Events’ diversified business model has expanded and evolved through high-growth market acquisitions, and varied expansion across industry sectors with a solid emphasis on digital and virtual products. Quartz Events is expected to invigorate Clarion’s expected growth and business development as they are viewed as a leader in the executive summit space, with a successful transition to online, resulting in first-rate value virtual North American executive summits.
Clarion Events operates more than 180 events in 50 countries around the world and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organizers in the UK.
Quartz Events will continue to work within their current organizational structure with Toby Harris remaining as President & CEO working together with Topalian and his team in North America.
For more information, Quartz Events can be reached at www.quartzevents.com; Clarion Events at www.clarionevents.com; and JEGI | CLARITY at www.jegiclarity.com.
