Hanley Wood has reached an agreement to sell its Hanley Wood Exhibitions business to Informa PLC, a UK-based publishing and events company that operates in more than 40 countries. The sale is subject to customary regulatory review and is expected to close by the end of the year. Upon the closing of the transaction, the exhibitions business will be rebranded Informa Exhibitions US and will maintain its headquarters in Irving, Texas, under the continued leadership of Rick McConnell as president, Informa Exhibitions US, Construction and Real Estate.
“Since 2000, Hanley Wood Exhibitions has led the industry as a best-in-class producer of tremendously vital and successful events,” said Peter Goldstone, Hanley Wood’s CEO. “Informa recognized the power and value of the trade show business we’ve built over the years. Informa has an exciting, long-term strategic vision for the exhibitions business and how it fits within its international operations and its existing portfolio of construction and real estate events. It will be a great home for its customers and employees.”
Goldstone added, “Part of the reason that Informa was interested in this transaction was the excellence of the management team and employees, and I personally want to thank all the outstanding employees of Hanley Wood Exhibitions for their dedication and hard work for so many years. I have cherished working with them during these past few years, and I offer my heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for the future.”
Stephen Carter, group chief executive of Informa, said, “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.”
Hanley Wood and Informa will enter into a long-term partnership agreement under which Hanley Wood will continue to provide editorial and marketing support for exhibition events.
“This partnership agreement will allow Hanley Wood Media to maintain its role as the official media and information provider to the various events we have supported for many years,” said Goldstone. (Editor’s note: This includes Surfaces, which executives said is “business as usual.”) “At the same time, our shared customers, business partners and attendees will benefit from the continued collaboration between the two companies.”
For more information, visit hanleywood.com.
