{"id":55410,"date":"2026-08-03T10:25:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T08:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/?p=55410"},"modified":"2026-08-03T13:58:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:58:22","slug":"easyfairs-completes-acquisition-of-xpo-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/easyfairs-completes-acquisition-of-xpo-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Easyfairs completes acquisition of Xpo Group"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The deal creates opportunities for expansion and continued growth among specialist event communities, leveraging complementary capabilities.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Brussels, 3 August 2026<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Easyfairs Belgium NV has completed its acquisition of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group BV,\u00a0acquiring\u00a0100% of the company\u2019s shares following its public takeover bid.\u00a0The\u00a0acquisition brings together two event organisers with complementary sector portfolios, an international\u00a0presence\u00a0and a shared approach to creating highly targeted events for clearly defined professional communities.\u00a0A\u00a0significant\u00a0portion of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group\u2019s business is outside of Belgium,\u00a0complementing\u00a0Easyfairs\u2019\u00a0existing international activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Xpo\u00a0Group organises\u00a061\u00a0events\u00a0across\u00a017 European countries\u00a0in sectors including construction and interior design, renewable energy, manufacturing and technology, food, retail,\u00a0marketing\u00a0and communication. Its internationally established portfolios include ARCHITECT@WORK, which serves architects\u00a0and\u00a0specifiers\u00a0across 13\u00a0European countries, together with the Design Nation series and the Solar Solutions portfolio.\u00a0The company<\/span>\u00a0also\u00a0operates\u00a0Kortrijk\u00a0Xpo\u00a0in Flanders, hosting both its own events and third-party exhibitions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Matt Benyon, Group CEO of Easyfairs, said:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe acquisition of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group\u00a0represents\u00a0a significant step in the growth of Easyfairs. It adds an attractive portfolio of established events and creates new opportunities for expansion in Europe and\u00a0the United States. We see considerable potential to grow the combined portfolio through\u00a0combining our respective\u00a0expertise\u00a0and the development of digital products that extend the value of our\u00a0brands\u00a0throughout the year.\u00a0We are\u00a0confident that we will see an increase in the combined company\u2019s\u00a0sales,\u00a0marketing\u00a0and operational efficiency.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Easyfairs and\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group are known for organising sector-focused events where exhibitors meet relevant professional audiences and visitors can efficiently discover the suppliers,\u00a0innovations\u00a0and\u00a0expertise\u00a0most relevant to their needs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anne Laf\u00e8re, Group CEO of Easyfairs,\u00a0added:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhat excites me most about welcoming\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group is how naturally our businesses complement one another. We share strong Belgian entrepreneurial roots, but we have both built successful international businesses by developing specialist event concepts.\u00a0We\u00a0create highly focused events where exhibitors meet exactly the\u00a0right\u00a0audiences, visitors discover the suppliers that matter most to\u00a0them\u00a0and professional communities\u00a0learn about trends and innovations. Bringing our portfolios together creates exciting opportunities to deliver even greater value for our customers.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both companies believe that exhibitions should be easy to\u00a0participate\u00a0in\u00a0and deliver\u00a0a high return on investment for exhibitors and a high return on time for visitors. This shared commitment to \u2018easifying\u2019 the customer experience underpins everything from event formats and stand packages to digital tools and on-site services.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenneth Verheyden, CEO of Easyfairs Belgium,\u00a0commented:\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i>Easyfairs Belgium and\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group have long shared a passion for serving specialist industries, with\u00a0events\u00a0in sectors such as manufacturing, construction,\u00a0food and hospitality\u00a0and retail<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0Bringing our teams together creates a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices and learn from one another. By combining the strengths of both organisations, we can continue to develop our people while creating even greater value for our customers and partners.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Saskia Soete-De\u00a0Boosere, CEO of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group,\u00a0concluded:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIt was\u00a0clear that Easyfairs shared our entrepreneurial mindset and our commitment to building strong specialist communities. Joining the Easyfairs family gives our event brands access to a broader international platform while preserving the qualities that have made them successful. Just as importantly, it creates new opportunities for our colleagues to develop their\u00a0expertise\u00a0as\u00a0part of a larger organisation that shares our values and long-term vision.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many events in the combined portfolio take place at venues\u00a0operated\u00a0by the two organisations, including Easyfairs\u2019 venues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The addition of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group\u2019s portfolio will create\u00a0further\u00a0opportunities\u00a0for collaboration\u00a0across the venue network.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Easyfairs Belgium announced its intention to launch a voluntary and conditional public takeover bid for\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group on 13 May 2026.\u00a0<\/span>After a successful\u00a0initial\u00a0offer period with 99.99% of the shareholders accepting to sell, the offer was reopened\u00a0in accordance with\u00a0Belgian takeover regulations until 30 July 2026<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>The transaction was\u00a0ultimately\u00a0completed\u00a0on 31 July 2026, with Easyfairs Belgium\u00a0acquiring\u00a0100% of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group’s shares.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About Easyfairs\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Easyfairs organises and hosts events, bringing communities together to visit the future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We currently organise\u00a0110\u00a0event\u00a0titles\u00a0in\u00a016\u00a0countries\u00a0(Algeria, Austria, Belgium,\u00a0Denmark,\u00a0Finland, France, Germany, Italy,\u00a0Norway,\u00a0the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States)\u00a0and manage eight event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden\u00a0(Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen-Brussels North, Namur,\u00a0Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malm\u00f6 and Stockholm).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are passionate about \u201ceasifying\u201d the life of our customers and increasing the return on investment and return on time for professional communities through our all-in formulas, advanced\u00a0technology\u00a0and customer-centric approach. Our digital features and initiatives provide these communities with excellent opportunities to network effectively and do business throughout the year.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Easyfairs Group employs\u00a0900\u00a0highly committed talents, deploys the best marketing and technology\u00a0tools\u00a0and develops brands with a strong appeal to our stakeholder communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the\u00a0seventh\u00a0year\u00a0running, Deloitte conferred \u201cBest Managed Company\u201d status on Easyfairs in 2025.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit the future<\/span><\/i>\u00a0with Easyfairs and find out more on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>www.easyfairs.com<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Xpo\u00a0Group organises and hosts events, creating meaningful connections between people,\u00a0businesses\u00a0and communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since 1967, we have been developing strong event concepts and meeting places where inspiring ideas, valuable encounters and business opportunities come together. Today,\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group combines three complementary activities: venue management, event\u00a0organisation\u00a0and community building.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We currently organise more than 60 specialised event projects in 17 countries across Europe and welcome more than 8,000 exhibitors and over 400,000 professional visitors\u00a0annually. Our Kortrijk\u00a0Xpo\u00a0venue\u00a0in Flanders\u00a0covers 40,000 m\u00b2.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are passionate about creating value for our communities by continuously innovating, expanding successful concepts internationally and developing digital tools and platforms that connect exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Xpo\u00a0Group employs more than 150 staff members and reported\u00a0consolidated\u00a0revenue of over \u20ac56 million and\u00a0consolidated\u00a0EBITDA of more than \u20ac9.9 million for the 2025\u00a0financial year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Creating meaningful connections is at the heart of everything we do.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more at\u202f<\/span>www.xpogroup.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For further information, please contact:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Matt\u00a0Benyon<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Group CEO\u00a0Easyfairs<\/span><\/p>\n

matt.benyon@easyfairs.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Anne\u00a0Laf\u00e8re \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Group CEO\u00a0Easyfairs<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

anne.lafere@easyfairs.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenneth Verheyden<\/span><\/p>\n

CEO Easyfairs Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n

kenneth.verheyden@easyfairs.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Saskia\u00a0Soete\u00a0De\u00a0Boosere<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CEO Xpo Group<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

saskiasoetedeboosere@xpogroup.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The deal creates opportunities for expansion and continued growth among specialist event communities, leveraging complementary capabilities. Brussels, 3 August 2026\u00a0\u2013 Easyfairs Belgium NV has completed its acquisition of\u00a0Xpo\u00a0Group BV,\u00a0acquiring\u00a0100% of the company\u2019s shares following its public takeover bid.\u00a0The\u00a0acquisition brings together two event organisers with complementary sector portfolios, an international\u00a0presence\u00a0and a shared approach to creating highly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":890,"featured_media":55415,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Easyfairs completes acquisition of Xpo Group ","_seopress_titles_desc":"The deal creates opportunities for expansion and continued growth among specialist event communities, leveraging complementary capabilities.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[357],"tags":[],"edition":[],"class_list":["post-55410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en"],"meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/890"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55410"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55445,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55410\/revisions\/55445"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55410"},{"taxonomy":"edition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flandersexpo.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/edition?post=55410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}