2012 shaping up to be a year of exhibition acquisitions

A few days ago, UBM announced that it has plans to acquire the leading railway exhibition in Brazil. This company cannot stop writing cheques! Over the past decade in Asia, UBM has made more acquisitions than any other company.

Even in the first quarter of 2012, UBM closed three deals:

• Renewable Energy India
• Shanghai ShowStar
• Malaysian International Furniture Fair

Also in the first three months of the year, Reed Exhibitions picked up two Australian exhibitions:

• All-Energy Australia
• Online Retailer Conference & E-commerce Expo

Global Sources made its first event acquisition ever - and it was a sizable one. the Shenzhen International Brand Clothing & Accessories Fair. The company paid over US$17 million for an 80% stake.

Given the economic weakness in Europe and the U.S. and the relative strength of most Asian economies, this is likely to be a very significant year for acquisitions in the region.