Private equity firm Blackstone is reported to be in the process of selling Clarion Events, the international trade show organizer behind ICE. Blackstone acquired Clarion, which runs shows in electronics, gaming, energy, security and defence, for £600 million (US$805 million) in 2017.
In 2020/21 the company saw revenue and earnings stall due to the covid pandemic. ICE was postponed twice in 2021 before being cancelled altogether.
Clarion’s revenue is reported to have risen from £257 million (US$345 million) to £432.9 million (US$581 million) in the 12 months through January 2024, as the industry returned to normal in China and Hong Kong.
According to Reuters, the company may be worth approximately £2 billion (US$2.68 billion).
