CloserStill Media acquired a majority stake in Hydrogen Technology Expo and Carbon Capture Technology Expo events in the U.S. and Germany from Trans-Global Events. Terms are not disclosed.

What you need to know about the deal

This is the fourth acquisition for CloserStill in 2023. The global events will be added to CloserStill's newly established Future Transport and Infrastructure Group, following its recent acquisition of UKI Media and Events, and the latest initiative of its ambitious expansion programme into the United States and continental Europe.

Trade shows geared to growing industries. Launched in 2021, the co-located Hydrogen Technology Expo and Carbon Capture Technology Expo events take place annually in Houston and Bremen, Germany and have enjoyed exponential growth as industry increases its focus on, and investment in, decarbonisation.

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Trade show metrics. Held in June, the second edition of the U.S. shows in Houston drew an industry audience of nearly 5,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors. During 2023, the events experienced strong growth, with a 178% increase in exhibitor numbers in Europe and a 223% increase in North America. 

Looking ahead. Scheduled for Sept. 27-28, the upcoming third edition of the German shows will feature more than 525 exhibitors and an anticipated attendance of more than 8,000 industry delegates and expo visitors. With the European show completely sold out for 2023, Trans-Global Events recently announced the signing of a new multi-year agreement with Hamburg Messe to host the event in Hamburg from 2024 onward.

Why it matters. Trans-Global Events Founder and CEO Mike Robinson, whose team will remain in Guildford, said, “We are proud to have created the largest and fastest-growing events in the exciting hydrogen and carbon capture technology space. We are delighted about the opportunity this partnership brings to us. CloserStill understands our vision and supports our mission. We believe that CloserStill’s pedigree in growing technology-driven events around the world, their commercial expertise and thoughtful approach to building audiences combine perfectly to help us further accelerate growth of our hydrogen and carbon capture events.”

Big picture. The roll-out of these events has been among the most exciting event launches in the post-COVID era anywhere in the world, said Gareth Bowhill, CEO of CloserStill Media. "We are proud to be working with Mike and his talented team to help fulfill their ambition of creating a global portfolio of the largest and most important events to serve the hydrogen and carbon capture technology sectors.”

Related: Listen to our Trade Show Talk podcast with CloserStill Media CEO Gareth Bowhill

Scaling success. “We look forward to helping these events further scale and increase their importance to the rapidly advancing international hydrogen value chain,” said Bowhill.

Back story. CloserStill Media specializes in high-value, content-driven events and the nurturing of B2B or professional communities. The company operates events across a wide range of sub-vertical sectors within Business Technologies, Healthcare and Future Transport and Infrastructure across the U.S., Europe and Asia, with operations and 600 staff in the U.K., USA, Germany, Spain and Singapore. Trans-Global Events is an independent exhibition and conference organizer specializing in sustainability, circular economy and renewable energy markets.