In an end of year press release about 2013 FYR results Top Right Group reported: The Events segment – comprising i2i Events Group and Lions Festivals – grew 13% on an organic basis and generated revenues of £121.3m (2012: £101.7m).
The primary drivers of growth were:
- an increase of around 5% in overall exhibition space sold by i2i;
- opening eight new events worldwide;
- 4% growth in volume of entries for Cannes Lions; and
- an increase of more than 12% in total delegates paying to attend our festivals or congresses.
i2i Events Group is a leading provider of UK and international exhibitions and congresses. Offering nearly 40 unmissable opportunities to network and trade, i2i brings together more than 260,000 customers every year. i2i owns leading events including Bett, serving the education technology sector; Spring Fair, Europe’s largest home and gift fair and World Retail Congress, widely recognised as the meeting place for the world’s top retailers. Its event portfolio also serves the waste management, fashion, health, energy, broadcasting, architecture and industrial markets, providing all sectors with relevant, quality events. Lions Festivals organises six world-class events, including Cannes Lions, the International Festival of Creativity. It enables inspiration, networking and learning and celebrates thousands of examples of creative excellence submitted from more than 90 countries.
With strong international performances, particularly from Cannes Lions, Bett and Coil Winding, the events businesses significantly increased their reach and customer base in 2013. To strengthen its events portfolio, the Group acquired Educar and Educador, the premier education exhibition and congress in Latin America. In an exciting partnership with UKTI, i2i now jointly hosts buyer programmes, webinars and networking events to benefit customers and visitors at i2i exhibitions and congresses.