Apollo to acquire and merge Questex and Emerald in $1.5 billion+ B2B events deal

Welcome to the latest edition of Snöcap.

A major consolidation effort is reshaping the business events industry. Apollo-managed funds have agreed to acquire Questex and Emerald Holding, Inc. in separate deals that would combine the companies into a single B2B events and media platform spanning nearly 160 events across North America. The move reflects growing investor confidence in large-scale in-person events, even as digital tools and AI continue to transform professional networking. Scroll down to read the details.

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Apollo to acquire and merge Questex and Emerald in $1.5 billion+ B2B events deal

Apollo-managed funds have signed separate definitive agreements to take over Emerald Holding, Inc. and Questex, LLC, with plans to merge the two companies into a single B2B experiential events and media platform serving North America. The deals are structured as all-cash transactions.

The merger would bring roughly 160 events under one roof, drawing on Emerald’s established exhibitions business and Questex’s events portfolio alongside its year-round digital engagement model.

Financial terms of the Emerald deal include:

• A cash offer of $5.03 per share to Emerald stockholders
• A premium of 42.1% over Emerald’s unaffected share price
• An estimated closing enterprise value of approximately $1.5bn
• A support agreement from Onex, which holds a beneficial ownership of over 90% of Emerald’s outstanding shares, to back the transaction

The Emerald board unanimously approved the deal. Once the transaction closes, Emerald will transition to a private company and exit the New York Stock Exchange.

“As AI and digital tools rapidly expand the ways professionals connect and share information, they are simultaneously elevating the value of trusted, in-person gatherings, where industries come together to do business, build relationships, and make consequential decisions,” said Shahid Bosan, Managing Director at Apollo. “Bringing together Emerald and Questex would create a scaled, highly complementary platform that is well positioned to capture that demand.”

Kosty Gillis, Onex Managing Director and Chairman of the Emerald board, pointed to a thorough strategic review process that preceded the agreement. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the Apollo Funds, which delivers compelling and immediate value to Emerald shareholders at a meaningful premium,” Kosty said. “The Board is confident Apollo is the right partner to take Emerald into its next chapter of growth.”

Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky credited Onex for its role in shaping the company before the handover. “We are grateful to Onex for their partnership and support in building Emerald into what it is today. We believe the acquisition by Apollo Funds and the subsequent combination with Questex will provide the enhanced resources, strategic support, and long-term capital to accelerate our growth and deliver lasting value for our customers, employees, and stakeholders,” Hervé said.

Questex CEO Paul Miller framed the deal as an opportunity to scale the company’s existing model. “We are excited to partner with Apollo and combine with Emerald to accelerate and scale our business model. Questex has built a differentiated experiential platform centered on year-round engagement and high-value customer communities, and we believe this combination creates a compelling opportunity to drive growth through innovation, digital integration, and strategic initiatives,” Paul said.

Closing is anticipated in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions.

IAEE collaborates with China Trade News to strengthen industry footprint

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced a strategic media partnership with China Trade News (CTN), the official state-affiliated media outlet of the MICE and trade exhibition industry in the People’s Republic of China.

The partnership will expand IAEE’s visibility among Chinese MICE professionals while giving CTN’s readership access to international industry content, research and thought leadership.

“This partnership represents a significant milestone in our mission to serve the global exhibitions and events community,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan. “By collaborating with China Trade News, we are expanding our reach in one of the world’s most dynamic markets and creating meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange that will benefit industry professionals on both sides of the Pacific.”

A key element of the agreement is the introduction of IAEE’s research division, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), to the Chinese market. CTN will publish highlights and excerpts of CEIR research findings through its industry research report column, with attribution to IAEE, and direct readers to access full reports.

CTN serves exhibition organizers, venue operators, service providers and trade professionals throughout China via print and digital channels, while its English-language edition reaches an international audience including embassies based in China.

The partnership will also position IAEE as a professional association for exhibitions and events practitioners in the Chinese market.

The Payments Association appoints Emma Banymandhub as new CEO

The Payments Association has appointed Emma Banymandhub as CEO, elevating her from her previous role as chief operating officer as the trade body prepares for international expansion following an investment from Nineteen Group earlier this year.

The association represents more than 250 organizations across the payments and financial services sector. During Banymandhub’s tenure as COO, the organization tripled its headcount and expanded its events portfolio, including growth of PAY360, which the association describes as the UK’s largest payments-focused event. Before joining the association, Emma spent more than 17 years working on commercial growth strategies for events and industry organizations.

Alison Jackson, CEO of Nineteen Group, said: “We’re so excited to see how Emma leads the group in its next chapter of international growth. We’re confident she can further enhance this strong and highly respected platform, and create a robust foundation for future growth.”

Founder Tony Craddock said: “Emma’s promotion is exactly what our community needs. She brings an enthusiasm for the unbeatable combination of community and events that makes us different.”

Emma’s immediate focus will be on building the association’s international presence while maintaining its policy and member activity in the UK. The 18-year-old association has also established itself as a recognized voice on payments regulation, including campaigns around Authorised Push Payment fraud reimbursement rules.

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Who is hiring?

IBM | Event Strategist

TM Forum | Senior Director, Events Delivery

Semrush | Senior Events Marketing Manager (Global Events Team)

Deluxe | Associate Manager, Marketing & Events

Electronic Arts | Senior Producer, Global Events

Merit Financial Advisors | Campaign & Events Specialist