Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, with over 450 events in 36 countries
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, with over 450 events in 36 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The portfolio of exhibitions and conferences serves 44 industry sectors. In 2009 Reed Exhibitions brought together over six million event participants from around the world, generating billions of dollars in business for its customers.
Total revenues for the year ended 31 December 2009 were £638m. Reed Exhibitions is a global business headquartered in London, with principal offices in London, Paris, Norwalk Connecticut, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney and São Paulo. Reed Exhibitions has 2,500 employees worldwide.
Reed Exhibitions organises market-leading events that are relevant to industry needs, where participants from around the world come together to do business, network and learn. Its exhibitions and conferences encompass a wide range of sectors, including: broadcasting, TV, music & entertainment; building & construction; electronics & electrical engineering; energy, oil & gas; engineering, manufacturing & processing; gifts; interior design; IT & telecoms; jewellery; life sciences & pharmaceuticals; marketing; property & real estate; sports & recreation; travel.
Well represented in the developed world, increasingly Reed Exhibitions is investing in the developing economies of China, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.
Market Opportunities
Growth in the exhibitions market is correlated to business to business marketing spend, historically driven by levels of corporate profitability, which itself has followed overall growth in GDP, and business investment. Emerging markets and growth industries provide additional opportunities. As some events are held other than annually, growth in any one year is affected by the cycle of non-annual exhibitions.
Strategic Priorities
Reed Exhibitions’ strategic goal is to provide market leading events in growth sectors that enable businesses to target and reach new customers quickly and cost effectively and to provide a platform for industry participants to do business, network and learn.
In the shorter term the priority is maintaining high quality events whilst aggressively managing the cost base during the economic downturn. For the longer term, Reed Exhibitions’ priorities are focused on: developing the portfolio through a combination of new launches, strategic partnerships and acquisitions in emerging markets and high growth sectors; and developing websites and online tools to enhance the exhibition experience and add to customer return on investment in event participation.
Distribution Channels and Competition
The substantial majority of Reed Exhibitions revenues are from sales of exhibition space. These, together with ancillary services, sponsorship fees and paid delegate participation are sold directly or through local agents where applicable.
Reed Exhibitions is the market leader in a fragmented industry, holding less than a 10% global market share. Other international exhibition organisers include UBM, DMG World Media (DMGT), Nielsen Business Media, Informa IIR and Messe Frankfurt. Competition also comes from industry trade associations and convention centre and exhibition hall owners.
