Informa, UBM Deal Valued at $5.3 Billion; Formal Offer Due Feb. 13

January 21, 2018

Two of the largest global trade show organizers – Informa and UBM – unveiled last week they were in talks to possibly merge in a deal valued at $5.3 billion.

The merger would create a trade show juggernaut, easily taking the No. 1 spot as the largest global organizer worldwide.

A decade after a proposed deal in which UBM attempted to buy Informa fell apart, the combined companies would give Informa scale and specialization in events.

"It is clear that the B2B Market is moving to Operating Scale and Industry Specialisation,” said Stephen A. Carter, Informa’s CEO.

He added, “The Combined Group will have the reach and market capabilities to take full advantage of these trends."

Shareholders will receive 1.083 Informa shares for each UBM share and $2.26 in cash, valuing UBM at $13.30 a share, a 30-percent premium to the Jan. 15 closing price, Informa said.

The deal terms were announced Jan. 17 and Informa shares were down 10 percent to $9.79 per share, while UBM shares increased 10 percent to $12.22 per share.

Informa has until Feb. 13 to make a firm offer.

A detailed statement said: “The Combined Group will build on the respective strengths of Informa and UBM to meet growing customer demands for Brands and partners with international reach, specialist industry knowledge and an increasingly wide range of B2B services incorporating face¬to-face platforms and events, data analytics, targeted marketing services and trusted, reliable intelligence and research.”

Informa’s portfolio includes shows such as World of Concrete, Natural Products Expos East and West and Greenbuild in the U.S., while UBM owns Magic Market Week, the massive biennial fashion shows, as well as Black Hat Conference and Game Developers Conference.

The combined group would be owned 65.5 percent by Informa shareholders and 34.5 by UBM shareholders.

"This is the right moment to combine our strengths, enabling us to capture fully the long-­term growth opportunities in this attractive market, bringing benefits for customers and colleagues, as well as generating significant value for shareholders,” Carter said.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact