GLOBUS Events strengthens its position in the China exhibition market through ambitious growth strategy

2024.10.24

Formerly VNU Exhibitions Asia has completed three acquisitions in China since February 2024, after becoming portfolio company of private equity firm, Advent International


GLOBUS Events, formerly known as VNU Exhibitions Asia, has implemented an ambitious expansion strategy, backed by Advent International (“Advent”), one of the world’s largest and most experienced private equity investors, its majority owner since February 2024. After becoming part of Advent’s portfolio, GLOBUS Events has concluded majority acquisitions of three exhibitions across China, in key sectors where GLOBUS already organizes leading events in China and the rest of Asia. The investments were in Powder Metallurgy (PM) China, International Exhibition for Advanced Ceramics (IACE) China and China Pet Expo (CPE). This is a testament to GLOBUS Events’ rapid development and its continuing key role in the industry.  

 “These acquisitions align with our strategy to grow our portfolio within the industries we presently serve,” said Edwin Tan, CEO of GLOBUS Events. “Together with our shareholder, Advent International, we are committed to expanding and enhancing our crucial role as the organizer of some of the largest in-person trade platforms in Asia, as well as positively contributing to the development of China’s exhibition industry.

 “We are also very pleased to have Jimè Essink, former President & CEO of Informa Markets Asia (previously UBM Asia) and an Operation Partner of Advent as a Board Member of Globus Events. Jime will be key to supporting our business development plans.” concluded Tan.

The latest investment, concluded in September, involved majority acquisitions in the annual PM CHINA and IACE CHINA exhibitions, founded by Uniris Exhibition Shanghai Co., Ltd. These two flagship exhibitions, based in both Shanghai and Shenzhen, are powerhouses in the global powder metallurgy and advanced ceramics industries. The latest 2024 editions of both shows in Shanghai occupied a combined area of 45,000 square meters and welcomed more than 60,000 professional visitors.

From left to right sitting Mr. Edwin Tan (CEO, GLOBUS Events) and Mr. Zhu Xiaofeng (General Manager, Uniris)
Standing Mr. Daniel O'Connor (VP, Rapid News Group), Mr. Duncan Wood (Chairman, Globus Rapid News), and Ms. Jessica Zhu (Managing Director, GLOBUS Events) 


The acquisitions further add to GLOBUS Events’ industry reach, which includes TCT Asia, the most influential 3D printing and additive manufacturing event in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in Shanghai in 2015 through a JV partnership between Globus Events (then VNU Exhibitions Asia) and the UK-based Rapid News Group. TCT Asia, held annually in Shanghai, occupies over 40,000 square meters of space and attracts over 20,000 professional visitors.

Duncan Wood, CEO of Rapid News Publications Ltd., commented, “This is a smart strategic addition by GLOBUS Events, enabling us to co-locate TCT Shenzhen with PM South China, offering significant benefits to the exhibitors and visitors of both events. We look forward to working with our joint venture company UNIRIS on this and other initiatives in the future.”

In August, GLOBUS Events purchased the majority interest in China Pet Expo (CPE), founded by Beijing Lanneret International Exhibitions. CPE, established in 2014, is one of the largest pet products exhibitions in northern China, taking place annually in Beijing with an exhibition area in excess of 100,000 square meters. This investment further adds to GLOBUS Event’s pet portfolio, which includes the world’s largest pet show held annually in Shanghai, Pet Fair Asia.



Signing the agreement left Mr. Cao Lin Hun (General Manager, Beijing Lanneret) and right Mr. Edwin Tan (CEO, GLOBUS Events) 


The latest edition of Pet Fair Asia held in August, featured 300,000 sqm of exhibiting space with 2,500 exhibiting companies and welcomed over 120,000 trade visitors and almost 400,000 consumers. GLOBUS Events pet portfolio also includes Pet Fair Shenzhen and Pet Fair Southeast Asia, launched in Bangkok in 2021. This quickly growing exhibition is Southeast Asia’s leading B2B International pet show.

Besides the above-mentioned shows, GLOBUS Events is the co-organizer of other world-leading exhibition brands DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR, R+T Asia, Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai, and VIV Select China.

GLOBUS Events’ shareholder Advent was founded in the US in 1984 and has since made 421 private equity investments across more than 40 countries and regions, managing US$90 billion in assets under management*, as of March 31, 2024. Over the past decade, it has also invested around USD1.25 billion in the Greater China region. It is one of the leading global private equity firms to invest in China’s exhibition sector. As Advent celebrates its tenth anniversary in Greater China this year, GLOBUS Events is expanding its event portfolio and further strengthening its leading position in China’s exhibition industry. 
* Assets under management include assets attributable to Advent advisory clients as well as employee and third-party co-investment vehicles.


ABOUT GLOBUS EVENTS

GLOBUS Events (formerly known as VNU Exhibitions Asia) is one of the first exhibition organizers to establish its presence in China and has been a leader in the industry for over three decades. Through the commitment of a team of 150 professional employees, it organizes over 20 local and international leading exhibitions and conferences each year, in a total exhibiting space of over 1,000,000 sqm. Headquartered in Shanghai, it has operations in different cities across China and abroad, including Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Going forward and leveraging Advent International's global market focus, intensive operations, and industry-focused long-term investment strategy, GLOBUS Events plans to continue to build out, geo-clone and expand its exhibitions around all of Asia.

ABOUT ADVENT INTERNATIONAL

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in 421 private equity investments across 40 countries, and as of March 31, 2024, had $90 billion in assets under management.* With 15 offices in 12 countries, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 315 private equity investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business and financial services; health care; industrial; retail, consumer, and leisure; and technology. For 40 years, Advent has been dedicated to international investing and remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies.
* Assets under management include assets attributable to Advent advisory clients as well as employee and third-party co-investment vehicles.