Clarion Events

Founded: 1947-01-01 in United Kingdom
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Clarion Events is the world’s largest privately owned event and exhibition organiser, a position built on more than seven decades of connecting industries, fostering innovation, and creating market‑leading platforms. Founded in 1947, the company has grown from a small trade‑show operator into a truly global enterprise with offices in 12 countries and a portfolio of over 125 events and media brands. Its “Super Brands” – must‑attend gatherings such as the London International Horse Show and North America’s Fire & Rescue expos – serve as essential marketplaces for sectors ranging from fashion and gaming to defence, life sciences, and renewable energy. Clarion’s growth has been propelled by strategic acquisitions (including PennWell, Insuretech Connect, Coffee Fest, and Infocast) and organic launches, all supported by long‑term investment from The Blackstone Group. In recent years the company has diversified beyond live events into digital products – virtual showcases, episodic content series, on‑demand education memberships, and its own lead‑capture platform, Converge+. With a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees, Clarion Events continues to embed itself deeply within the communities it serves, delivering world‑class customer experiences that drive meaningful connections and commercial value. The appointment of Lisa Hannant as Group CEO in October 2024 signals a new chapter of focused growth and global expansion.

Events Organized

iGB Affiliate Barcelona

Detailed Review

History & Growth

Clarion Events traces its roots to trade publications dating back to the 1800s, particularly those serving the Fire & Rescue sector in North America. The company formally incorporated in 1947 and over subsequent decades evolved from a niche organiser into a diversified exhibitions group. A significant inflection point came in the early 2000s when private‑equity backing accelerated both organic expansion and a disciplined acquisition strategy. The 2018 purchase of PennWell brought a suite of leading energy, technology, and healthcare events into the fold, while subsequent deals added Insuretech Connect, Coffee Fest, Rose City Comic Con, the National Grocers Show, and renewable‑energy specialist Infocast. These moves deepened Clarion’s presence in 12 industry sectors and expanded its geographic footprint across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Portfolio & Products

Clarion’s core offering comprises large‑scale tradeshows, hosted‑buyer events, consumer enthusiast gatherings, and content‑driven conferences. Its “Super Brands” – events that are market‑defining in scale and influence – include the London International Horse Show, numerous Fire & Rescue exhibitions, and the energy‑focused POWERGEN and Renewable Energy World series. In addition to live events, Clarion has invested in a suite of digital products: Virtual Product Showcases, Episodic Content Series, On‑Demand Education Membership Packages, and Virtual MATCH Meetings. The company also developed Converge+, an in‑house event lead‑capture platform designed to pair with its customer‑intelligence partner, Omeda. This digital pivot has allowed Clarion to serve customers year‑round, not just on show days.

Leadership & Recent Changes

In late 2024, Lisa Hannant succeeded as Group CEO, having joined Clarion in 2008 and served as group managing director since 2013. Her appointment coincided with the elevation of Greg Topalian to Chairman of Clarion Events North America; Topalian had previously been CEO of the North American division. Liz Irving, who co‑founded the North American arm and had been Chief Customer Officer, was promoted to CEO of Clarion Events North America in December 2024. Kelly Combini leads the Connect division (Clarion Connect) as its CEO. In early 2025, Desiree Hanson was promoted to President of North American Energy, overseeing the growing energy portfolio. The global C‑suite does not currently include a publicly named CTO, CCO, or COO; these roles may exist but are not confirmed in available sources.

Key Products

FDIC International
World’s largest fire and rescue training conference and exposition.
Insuretech Connect
Largest insurtech conference in the world.
Coffee Fest
Regional B2B trade shows for the coffee and food service industry.
The Affiliate Summits
Marketing conferences for affiliate and partnership professionals.
National Grocers Show
Event for the independent grocery sector, owned with the National Grocer's Association.
International Horse Show
Long-standing equestrian event in London.
Power and Energy Series (incl. ITC)
Events covering power generation, transmission, and renewable energy.
Rose City Comic Con
Consumer pop-culture convention in Portland, OR.
Virtual Product Showcases
Digital product launch and networking platforms with lead generation capabilities.
Episodic Content Series
Multi-episode virtual educational series covering industry topics.
On-Demand Education Membership
Subscription access to recorded sessions and resources year-round.
Virtual MATCH Meetings
Facilitated pre-scheduled one-to-one B2B video meetings.
Infocast
An organizer of renewable energy events, acquired to strengthen Clarion's energy portfolio.
London International Horse Show
Flagship consumer event and one of Clarion's Super Brands.
POWERGEN & Renewable Energy World
Leading energy industry events covering power generation and renewable energy.
Fire & Rescue expos
Public safety sector events serving the fire and rescue industry in North America.
Converge+
Proprietary lead‑capture platform integrated with Omeda for customer intelligence.
Digital product suite
Includes Virtual Product Showcases, Episodic Content Series, On‑Demand Education Membership, and Virtual MATCH Meetings.