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Apollo Funds Completes Emerald Acquisition
Former Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
Apollo Funds has completed its acquisition of trade show operator Emerald, which produces Couture and the antique jewelry shows that take place in Las Vegas, Miami, and Coconut Grove, Florida.
New York—Apollo Funds, the managed fund of private equity firm Apollo, has completed its acquisition of trade show operators Emerald and Questex.
Emerald’s portfolio includes Couture and the antique jewelry shows that take place in Las Vegas, Miami, and Coconut Grove, Florida. Emerald also used to own NY Now and the JA New York Show but sold them both prior to the acquisition.
The all-cash transaction, first announced in May, valued Emerald at approximately $1.5 billion.
Previously, Emerald was owned by Toronto-based private equity firm Onex Corp.
Onex bought Nielsen Expositions—the trade show arm of TV ratings company Nielsen—in 2013 for $950 million and created a new company, then called Emerald Expositions.
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Emerald’s portfolio includes Couture and the antique jewelry shows that take place in Las Vegas, Miami, and Coconut Grove, Florida. Emerald also used to own NY Now and the JA New York Show but sold them both prior to the acquisition.
The all-cash transaction, first announced in May, valued Emerald at approximately $1.5 billion.
Previously, Emerald was owned by Toronto-based private equity firm Onex Corp.
Onex bought Nielsen Expositions—the trade show arm of TV ratings company Nielsen—in 2013 for $950 million and created a new company, then called Emerald Expositions.
Under new ownership, Emerald and Questex will be integrated over the coming months and be combined into one entity.
“This transaction combines two market leaders with iconic brands, deep customer relationships, and differentiated capabilities, to create a scaled platform positioned to accelerate organic growth, invest in innovation, and deliver even greater value for customers, employees, and other stakeholders,” said Shahid Bosan, managing director at Apollo.
Emerald’s shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange post-acquisition as the company goes private.
Paul Miller, who has served as CEO of Questex since 2018, will serve as CEO of the combined company.
Former Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
“Paul is an experienced operator who shares our vision for building a scaled, customer-centric platform at the forefront of the B2B events industry,” said Bosan.
“We are confident in his ability to unite these two organizations to create a distinct platform that is well-positioned for sustained growth and long-term value creation.”
The company has also appointed executives to the following roles:
Vince DiMaggio, chief financial officer;
Issa Jouaneh, chief operating officer;
Kate Spellman, chief commercial officer;
Kurt Nelson, chief talent officer; and
Sara Altschul, chief legal officer and company secretary.
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