Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 470 events in 37 countries. Total revenues for the year ended 31 December 2008 were £707m.
In 2008 Reed Exhibitions brought together over seven million event participants from around the world, generating billions of dollars in business. As some events are held other than annually, revenue in any one single year is affected by the cycle of non-annual exhibitions.
Reed Exhibitions creates brand-leading events, highly targeted and where participants from around the world come together to do business, network and learn. Its vision is “to deliver contacts, content and communities with the power to transform your business”.
Reed Exhibitions’ events are organised in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific by staff in 24 offices. The portfolio of exhibitions and conferences serves 44 industry sectors, including: aerospace & aviation, automobiles, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering, manufacturing, environment, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewellery, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical education, printing & graphics, property & real estate, security & safety, sports & recreation and travel.
Many of Reed Exhibitions’ events are market leaders in their field. Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed Exhibitions ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. The business is developing powerful online tools to facilitate networking, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its shows, as well as broadening its event model to include continuing education and professional development.
Growth of the exhibition industry is supported by new industries and new markets, particularly as the emerging markets of Brazil, China, India, Russia and Middle East open up and develop. Exhibitions are a key means for companies to enter these new markets, enabling them to reach and target new customers quickly and cost-effectively.
Reed Exhibitions’ growth has been achieved through acquisitions and launches in key growth industries, and by developing strategic partnerships and replicating its brand-leading events in the emerging markets. Such partnerships will become an increasing feature of Reed Exhibitions’ presence in these markets, with the building of local businesses operating close to local markets, supported by Reed Exhibitions’ global networks and organisational expertise.
Reed Exhibitions is expanding the scope of its business model beyond the physical event to create online communities such as ISC365, PSI-online and INTERPHEX365. These communities provide tools allowing customers additional opportunities to interact with others in their industry, share knowledge and do business 365 days a year, and they are opening up new revenue streams for Reed Exhibitions.
Reed Exhibitions is particularly prominent in a number of sectors, notably Travel, for which it organises some of the world’s leading events, including World Travel Market held annually in London, and Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai. World Travel Market attracted an unprecedented 49,963 participants in 2008.
Reed Exhibitions is also deeply involved in the Environment sector. Leading events include Pollutec, the international environment show held alternately in Lyon and Paris; the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi; and Offshore Europe, Aberdeen, which brings together the global oil and gas market to debate key issues and create common agendas for the future of the upstream industry.
The majority of Reed Exhibitions’ revenue is derived from exhibitor participation fees, with the balance coming from advertising in exhibition guides, sponsorship fees and paid participation at conferences and exhibitions. Whilst the exhibitions business is more resilient to economic effects than many marketing channels, demand for exhibition space and attendance is affected by pressures on the marketing budgets of customers.
The exhibition industry has historically been very fragmented. Reed Exhibitions is the leader holding no more than 7% of the market. Other international exhibition organisers with which it competes include United Business Media, DMG World Media, Nielsen Business Media, Informa IIR and Messe Frankfurt. Competition also comes from industry focused trade associations and convention centre and exhibition hall owners.