长期以来，会展行业的主办方与参展商被视为产业链条中关联紧密却又相对独立的两个阵营。今日，这一格局迎来了历史性的转折。
国际展览与项目协会（IAEE）正式对外宣布：已就收购北美贸易展营销教育领航者 Exhibitor Group 达成最终协议。这不仅是一次品牌规模的扩张，更是全球会展生态从“单线链接”向“闭环协作”迈出的关键一步。
此次收购的核心资产，包括在业内享有盛誉的《EXHIBITOR》杂志，以及被誉为贸易展专业人士“风向标”的 EXHIBITOR LIVE 年度盛会。
这次“强强联手”传递出一个清晰的信号：未来的会展竞争不再是单一环节的博弈，而是整个生态系统的协同。
全生命周期覆盖： IAEE 将借此整合 Exhibitor Group 在展位营销、品牌推广方面的深厚积淀，填补主办方与参展商之间的信息鸿沟。
统一的行业声音： 正如 IAEE 总裁兼首席执行官 Marsha Flanagan (M.Ed., CEM) 所言，这不仅仅是一次商业收购，更是一次行业变革。通过将品牌经理和参展商的视角引入协会核心，行业正在创造一个“全员发声”的协作空间，共同提升整体价值。
回溯此前，Exhibitor Group 在 2022 年由 STAR Exhibits & Environments 首席执行官 Mark Johnson 收购，并在后疫情时代的行业波动中保持了其专业发声的稳定性。
Mark Johnson 对此谈到：“我们意识到，EXHIBITOR 需要一个深耕行业、资源更广阔的‘归宿’来释放其全部潜力。IAEE 是最理想的选择，这将使双方能够共同服务于从展会管理到品牌营销，再到供应商的全产业链利益相关者。”
IAEE 董事会主席 Brian Pagel 也强调：“通过将 Exhibitor Group 备受信任的教育资源和社区洞察植入 IAEE 的全球框架，我们正在为全球会展人打造一个更具创新力的增长平台。”
根据协议，本次收购预计将于 2026年4月30日 正式完成。届时，双方社区将迎来深层次的互利共赢：
对 IAEE 现有会员： 将获得来自“参展商端”的第一手调研数据和营销洞察，从而更精准地优化展会策略，实现多方共赢。
对 Exhibitor 社区成员： 在持续享有高质量出版物和专业活动的同时，将无缝接入 IAEE 全球化的教育培训体系、CEM（注册会展经理）认证以及更广泛的个人职业发展工具。
关于 国际展览与项目协会（IAEE）始创于1928年，IAEE 是全球规模最大的会展行业协会。其会员涵盖全球20,000多场展览的主办方、参展商及供应商，致力于推动面对面交流作为商业增长的核心引擎。
关于 Exhibitor Group作为北美贸易展与企业活动营销教育的“金标准”，Exhibitor Group 旗下的《EXHIBITOR》杂志及 EXHIBITOR LIVE 活动长期引领行业专业教育与趋势发布。
媒体/业务垂询：Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM-AP IAEE 营销与传播副总裁 邮箱：nbowman@iaee.com
英文原稿
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Exhibitor Group, publisher of the award-winning EXHIBITOR magazine and producer of EXHIBITOR LIVE, the industry's premier exhibition for trade show and corporate event professionals. This landmark acquisition represents a bold strategic move to unite exhibition organizers and exhibitors within one cohesive ecosystem.
The acquisition brings together two influential forces in the exhibitions and events industry, creating an unprecedented community that spans the entire event lifecycle and value chain. By integrating Exhibitor Group's expertise in exhibit and corporate event marketing with IAEE's established leadership in exhibition organization, the combined entity will offer enhanced value to all stakeholders.
"This acquisition reflects our commitment to building a more comprehensive and inclusive exhibitions and events industry," said Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM, President and CEO of IAEE. "By expanding our universe to include the vital perspectives of exhibit and brand managers, we're creating a unified space where all voices are heard and represented. This is more than an acquisition – it's a change that will elevate the entire exhibitions and events industry."
STAR Exhibits & Environments CEO Mark Johnson acquired Exhibitor Group in 2022 to preserve a critical industry voice during a time of uncertainty and disruption post-COVID – bringing stability, vision, and investment to position the brand for long-term success. “As we grew our overall experiential marketing business, we recognized that EXHIBITOR needed a dedicated owner to fully realize its potential, said Mark Johnson, CEO. “IAEE acquiring EXHIBITOR is a rare opportunity for two market leaders to come together to serve the entire exhibit ecosystem and its stakeholders from exposition managers to event marketers to industry suppliers.”
Brian Pagel, Chairperson of the IAEE Board, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “This acquisition reinforces IAEE’s commitment to innovation and connection across the exhibitions and events community. By integrating Exhibitor Group’s trusted education, insights, and community into IAEE’s global association framework, we are creating a powerful platform for growth - expanding the value delivered to organizers, exhibitors, and suppliers across the full event lifecycle.”
What This Means for Stakeholders:
For IAEE Members: Access to expanded resources, insights, and networking opportunities with exhibit and brand managers, creating a more holistic understanding of exhibition success.
For Exhibitor Group Community: Continuity of the same high-quality publication and EXHIBITOR LIVE event, now enhanced with expanded access to IAEE's extensive resources, including connections to organizers and suppliers, plus comprehensive professional and personal development tools.
The acquisition is expected to be finalized by 30 April 2026. Following the completion of the acquisition, IAEE will work closely with the Exhibitor team to ensure a seamless integration of operations and maximum impact for all stakeholders.
For more information about the acquisition and upcoming initiatives, visit www.iaee.com and www.exhibitoronline.com.
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance, Snöball and Swapcard. For more information, visit www.iaee.com.
About Exhibitor Group
Exhibitor Group is North America's leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education. The organization produces EXHIBITOR magazine, a monthly publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing, and EXHIBITOR LIVE, the industry's premier exhibition and conference for trade show and corporate event marketing. For more information, visit www.exhibitoronline.com.
Media Contact:
Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM-AP
IAEE Vice President, Marketing & Communications
M 469.534.3638
E nbowman@iaee.com
来源： IAEE
