RELX’s exhibitions revenues up 6% in first half

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London, 23rd July: Last week, RELX Group plc, parent company of RX Global, reported its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2026. Group revenues were £4.9 billion (US$6.5 billion) in the first half of the year, representing underlying growth of 7%. The adjusted operating profit increased by 9%, reaching £1.7 billion (US$2.3 billion).

RELX’s exhibitions business generated revenues of £575 million (US$761 million), representing underlying growth of 6%, while the adjusted operating profit was up by 2%, amounting at £226 million (US$299 million).

The company stated the growth in exhibitions business reflected the strong ongoing growth profile of its event portfolio. The figures also reflected event cycling and timing, including the rescheduling of some events to the second half. For the outlook of the year 2026, the company also expected strong underlying revenue growth with an improvement in adjusted operating margin over the previous year.

Chief Executive Officer, Erik Engstrom, commented, “RELX delivered strong underlying revenue and profit growth and strong new sales in the first half of 2026… Our improving long-term growth trajectory continues to be driven by the ongoing shift in business mix towards higher growth analytics and decision tools that deliver enhanced value to our customers. We continue to develop these products by leveraging deep customer understanding to combine our unique content and comprehensive data sets with advanced technologies.”

GCCEC appoints Director of Event Delivery

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Gold Coast, 29th July: The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) announced industry executive, Avril Harris, to join the venue as Director of Event Delivery.

As GCCEC’s Director of Event Delivery, Avril will lead and integrate its event, operations and technology functions, driving innovation and operational excellence to support consistently high service standards and future growth.

She will bring more than 20 years of events experience and a deep understanding of the Cold Coast’s visitor economy, industry partnerships and broader events landscape. She will build on the venue’s strong operational foundations, bringing its teams and functions closer together and ensuring the venue remains equipped to deliver exceptional events as client expectations and industry demand continue to evolve.

Nick Jeffrey, General Manager of GCCEC, said, “The scale and complexity of our operation require leadership that can connect people, systems and infrastructure around a shared standard of delivery. Avril will play a central role in strengthening how our operational teams work together, building accountability across the Centre and ensuring we are well positioned to meet the evolving needs of our clients.”

GL events’ revenues up 9% in first half

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Lyon, 22nd July: GL events released its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2026. It reported revenues of €966 million (US$1.1 billion), representing year-on-year growth of 9%.

In terms of business sectors, GL events Live generated revenues of €544 million (US$620 million), up 19% year-on-year. While GL events Venues’ revenues grew by 15% year-on-year, reaching €298 million (US$340 million). However, GL events Exhibitions posted revenues of €124 million (US$141 million), recorded year-on-year decrease of 28%.

The company attributed the decrease in the Exhibitions business to an unfavourable biennial event cycle, with the first half of 2025 including major exhibitions.

Olivier Ginon, Chairman-CEO of GL events Group, was quoted, “GL events delivered a strong first half, reflecting its solid fundamentals, the relevance of its strategy and the continued confidence of its clients, partners and employees around the world. These results confirm the relevance of our business model and the complementarity of our businesses. The strong momentum in our Live and Venues activities internationally, our ability to offset the impact of unfavourable biennial event cycles and the successful integration of Stade de France are the clearest illustrations. Against a complex global backdrop, and notwithstanding our footprint in the Middle East, we have maintained our momentum with discipline and vigilance. As a result, we are able to approach the second half of the year with confidence, fully focused on achieving our objectives and delivering sustainable, well-managed growth.”

Quick takes

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India plans a Delhi NCR MICE Promotion Bureau

The India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Ministry of Tourism have jointly to plan to set up a Delhi NCR MICE Promotion Bureau, targeting to position India as a leading global destination for business events. It will market the capital region as a unified MICE destination, promoting its world-class convention and exhibition infrastructure.

5,000+ visitors at IME 2026

The Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia 2026 (IME 2026) concluded at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Bangkok, Thailand, running from 22nd to 24th July 2026. Organised by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, DEXPO Shanghai Industry & Commerce Exhibition Co., Ltd., and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., IME 2026 occupied an exhibition area of 5,000 m2, bringing nearly 150 exhibitors and a total of 5,262 professional visitors from 57 countries and regions. The event featured industry associations, research institutions, industrial parks, manufacturing enterprises and professional buyers from China, Thailand and Southeast Asia on advanced manufacturing technologies, industrial upgrading, trade cooperation and project implementation.

GL events acquires healthcare vertical

GL events announced the company has completed the acquisition of MCO Congrès, a Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) specialised in the organisation of scientific and medical events, conferences and congresses. MCO Congrès was founded in 1990, organised over 1,500 congresses, with annual revenue of €14 million (US$16 million). No financial details for the acquisition have been released.

Indonesia launches IBEM with SEABEF

Indonesia will host business events marketplace at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC): the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF), running from 28th to 29th July 2026; and the Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM), from 30th to 31st July 2026. SEABEF will bring leaders together to examine industry trends, policy alignment, sustainability, digital transformation, and talent development across Southeast Asia. While the inaugural IBEM will feature over 200 exhibitors representing 100 companies and organisations, including convention bureaus, destination management companies, hotel chains, convention centres, airlines, cruise operators, and event tech providers.