A slightly better-kept secret

This one wasn't as widely rumoured as the Reed/Shenzhen SinoExpo deal, but word of IIR Exhibitions' acquisition of HQ Link's business in Singapore has been rumbling around the market for a few weeks. Lot's of people have looked at Dilys Yong's business; it's an obvious target with strong, specialised trade events in Singapore, China, Vietnam and India. A classic acquisition. The only question you might ask is what took so long for a deal to be done.

This brings together two of the strong ladies of the industry in SE Asia; HQ Link boss and former SACEOS President Dilys with IIR Exhibitions' Rosalind Ng. It will make an interesting combination. It also takes Informa's Asian business of in another direction. Watch this space.