Informa is acquiring Clarion Events from Blackstone for $3 billion. The deal was announced on 6 October, with closing expected by the end of Q4 2026 pending regulatory approval.
Clarion owns more than a hundred B2B brands across gaming, electronics, defence and energy. Gaming is one of three sectors where Informa gains 'immediate scale'. Clarion organises the industry's largest trade shows, including ICE. For affiliates and operators, it means the sector's key events now move under the control of a global exhibitions group.
Clarion CEO Lisa Hannant will stay on and join Informa's senior management team. The business will continue to operate to current plans, with no changes expected until three to six months after closing. Informa is funding the acquisition through debt and a £940 million ($1.24 billion) equity raise.
Blackstone invested in Clarion in 2017. The purchase aligns with Informa's plan to spin off its Taylor & Francis publishing arm and focus on B2B events and digital services.
