The summer months have witnessed a heat wave of consolidation activity and strategic alliances among several leading event organizers and industry associations. Here’s our roundup of recent M&As and partnerships.
Emerald Expands Executive-Level Summits Portfolio with Generis Group Acquisition
Emerald has acquired Toronto-based Generis Group, producer of B2B executive summits designed to facilitate high-impact peer-to-peer connections. The deal provides Emerald with 100% equity interest in Generis while strengthening its position in the executive-level summit market as it continues its strategy to optimize its portfolio and expand into high-growth verticals.
Kitchen & Bath Canada Expo 2024
The acquisition marks Emerald’s fifth in 2025, bringing the combined transaction value of this year’s deals to $220 million. Recent acquisitions include London-based luxury travel event business This is Beyond; Insurtech Insights, organizer of insurance technology conferences and programs; GRC World Forums for the governance, risk management, and compliance industry; and Kitchen & Bath Canada Expo.
Generis currently hosts 11 events annually in the U.S. and six in Europe for senior decision-makers to participate in insight-driven formats, peer-to-peer connections, and curated one-to-one meetings. With this addition, Emerald will now host more than 50 executive summits annually.
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Hervé Sedky, Emerald
“This acquisition is a strategic step in expanding Emerald’s presence in delivering proven, executive-level experiences across the U.S. and Europe,” said Emerald CEO and President Hervé Sedky. “These formats consistently deliver the highest satisfaction scores in our event portfolio and represent a key growth engine for the business.”
Founded in 2014 by Francesco Scalzo, Jason Cheddie, and Nadim Allidina, Generis engages senior leaders across several verticals, including supply chain, manufacturing, packaging, digital transformation, and life sciences.
Francesco Scalzo, Generis
Its curated events feature expert-led panels, curated content, and a proprietary one-to-one matchmaking platform created to drive alignment and measurable outcomes.
“We believe Emerald’s expertise will empower Generis to scale our impact even more rapidly and reach new heights, while staying true to what has made our events valuable to senior executives,” said Generis CEO Scalzo. “Together, we’ll redefine what exceptional looks like in the executive summits space.”
Licensing International and IAAPA Form Strategic Alliance
To create new opportunities for their respective members around the world, Licensing International and IAAPA, the trade associations for the global brand licensing and attractions industries, respectively, have forged a strategic partnership designed to recognize the growing convergence of branded experiences and location-based entertainment.
IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 attracted more than 7,000 verified attendees and 5,000 qualified buyers from 85 countries, a 53% increase in verified attendance and a 75% increase in verified buyers from 2024.
Combining the expertise and networks of both organizations, the partnership will enhance member access to exclusive events, curated educational content, and high-impact business opportunities across both industries.
Jakob Wahl, IAAPA
“Attractions are no longer just about rides or exhibits, they’re about creating unforgettable moments, often powered by beloved brands,” said Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of IAAPA. “By aligning with Licensing International, we’re helping our members tap into new ideas, deepen guest engagement, and expand the creative potential of the attractions industry.”
Focused on co-developing content, cross-promoting key events, and highlighting thought leadership from across both industries, the collaboration will benefit members with expanded educational offerings, access to new global platforms, and opportunities to engage with emerging trends shaping the future of entertainment, intellectual property, and guest experiences.
Maura Regan, Licensing International
“As consumer expectations evolve and experiences become more central to brand engagement, collaboration between the licensing and attractions sectors has never been more important,” said Maura Regan, president of Licensing International. “This partnership with IAAPA reflects a shared commitment to innovation and to equipping our members with the tools, insights, and relationships needed to thrive in a fast-changing marketplace.”
The collaboration’s implementation will begin later this year, with additional details on upcoming initiatives and events to be announced in the coming months.
Nineteen Group Partners with The Payments Association
The Payments Association (TPA), a U.K.-based membership organization and events platform for the payments industry, formed a strategic partnership with Nineteen Group, a global events and media business backed by Phoenix Equity Partners.
Aimed to support TPA’s next growth phase by providing additional resources, expanded reach, and investment capital, the agreement will enable the organization to maintain its independent brand identity within the Nineteen and Phoenix portfolio while the TPA’s existing management team will continue to lead operations.
Ben Agnew, TPA
“We’ve built incredible momentum as a trusted community for payments professionals, and this partnership with Nineteen Group––and therefore access to significant growth capital from backers, Phoenix––gives us the platform to do even more,” said TPA CEO Ben Agnew. “We will continue to run and grow the Association with the same values and leadership––now with added support to scale our events, insight and membership experience, across the UK and beyond.”
The partnership will support several key initiatives, including expanding TPA’s community reach across geographies and sectors, enhancing member value through investment in content and digital platforms, and developing new tools, products, and services to better serve the payments industry.
Peter Jones, Nineteen Group
“[The Payments Association is] a unique organization with a powerful community, and a brilliant team,” said Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group. “We’re here to get behind and support their continued growth, while protecting what makes them special. This partnership is about scale, not change, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”
Collingwood served as financial adviser to The Payments Association on the transaction.
Clarion Events Named Official Commercial Partner for Saudi Aviation Event
Clarion Events was tapped by the Saudi Aviation Club to serve as the official commercial partner for Sand & Fun, Saudi Arabia’s general aviation event. The 2025 showcase will take place November 25-29 at Thumamah Airport in Riyadh, with more than 120,000 attendees expected throughout the five-day event.
Designed to bring together innovation, aerospace, culture, and adventure in what organizers describe as an “exceptional national showcase,” Sand & Fun 2025 will feature immersive programming including dazzling aviation displays, workshops, youth challenges, business matchmaking opportunities, and interactive family experiences.
“We’re honored to support the Saudi Aviation Club in delivering Sand & Fun 2025 to help shape the future of aviation in the region,” said Iain Pitt, managing director at Clarion Events, which is charged with managing the event’s international sales and commercial operations. “By combining Sand & Fun’s local expertise with Clarion’s global reach, we aim to deliver an unmissable event for decision-makers, investors, and innovators across the aerospace sectors.”
Iain Pitt, Clarion Events
Dr. Ahmed Fahad Alfahaid, general supervisor of the Saudi Aviation Club, expressed enthusiasm about the Clarion’s new role with the event, which coincides with the Club’s 25th anniversary.
“Sand & Fun 2025 reflects our national mission to make aviation an inclusive, inspiring, and strategic sector,” Dr. Alfahaid said. “As the Saudi Aviation Club celebrates 25 years of leadership, this exhibition redefines aviation not only as an industry but as a shared experience.”
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