Informa plc Acquires VIRGO

PHOENIX— VIRGO, an information distribution company focused on the most innovative and complex business-to-business markets that fuel the U.S. and world economies, has been acquired by Informa plc, and will be part of the company’s Global Exhibitions Group. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed but the acquisition is expected to enhance group earnings in its first full year post acquisition.

The acquisition will provide the Global Exhibitions Group with a similar platform for expansion of its exhibition activities in the United States. This is the largest exhibition market globally by some distance but one where Informa has historically lacked any significant presence, with its event activity in the region predominantly focused around conferences and learning.

VIRGO has a portfolio of six major trade shows and conferences, including the leading U.S. exhibition in the Health & Nutrition vertical, SupplySide West. This is highly complementary to Vitafoods, Informa’s leading Exhibition Brand within this market sector in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Both companies expect there will be some attractive synergies by bringing the Health & Nutrition assets into the same portfolio and creating a global brand proposition, in the same way Informa’s acquisition in China last year complemented its position in the Beauty Vertical, where it holds strong positions in Europe. The transaction also provides Informa with an established base in the United States, the largest exhibition market globally.

In announcing the acquisition, Informa noted: “We continue to expand organically and by acquisition. Today’s announcement of the purchase of a U.S. exhibition business complements our existing position in the Health & Nutrition market sector through Vitafoods, creating a strong, global brand proposition in this attractive vertical. It also provides us with an established base on which to build our presence in the important U.S. Exhibitions Sector. The strong performance of our Global Exhibitions business in the first half further confirms the growth potential of this market.”

John Siefert, CEO of VIRGO, commented: “The opportunity to align VIRGO’s events, web and media programming within the Informa business offers an incredible amount of scale to everything the company has accomplished. At the same time, the ability to lever VIRGO’s position and infrastructure in the United States to bring Informa’s global exhibitions to the U.S. will be a game changer in the market.”

VIRGO produces six trade shows and conferences, publishes nine national trade websites of which six have affiliate magazines, operates online training and accreditation programs, and operates three branded online stores that offer paid content. The company leverages its events, publications, digital and other media to provide integrated solutions for professionals in industries including health care, natural products, IT and telecommunications, and self-storage.

VIRGO’s Cloud & Communications Network includes Channel Partners, a brand providing print, digital and event resources to the information and communication technology (ICT) indirect sales channels. It also publishes B/OSS, an online resource covering billing and operations support systems for the telecom operators.

Informa also has a presence in the ICT space with Ovum, which in May merged with Informa Telecoms & Media to create the fourth-largest global technology analyst firm, offering  unrivalled analysis across the converging IT, media and telecoms industries.

ABOUT INFORMA
Informa (www.informa.com) is one of the world’s leading knowledge providers. It creates and delivers highly specialised information through publishing, events, training, market intelligence and expertise, providing valuable knowledge to individuals, businesses and organisations around the world.