Global events and publishing group Informa has reported
record revenues and operating profit for 2025, underlining the continued
strength of large-scale B2B exhibitions and conferences.
The UK-based company, whose portfolio includes more than 800
specialist event brands worldwide, said the performance was driven largely by
strong demand for in-person industry events, which continue to rebound and
expand globally.
Informa reported revenue of £4.04bn in 2025, up from £3.55bn
in 2024, representing 13.7 per cent reported growth. Adjusted operating profit
rose 14.6 per cent to £1.14bn, while adjusted diluted earnings per share
increased 11 per cent to 55.6p, marking the fifth consecutive year of
double-digit growth.
The company’s B2B Live Events division, which includes
Informa Markets, Informa Connect and Informa Festivals, remained the key growth
engine. The division generated £3bn in revenue, up 13.8 per cent year-on-year,
with adjusted operating profit rising 19.4 per cent to £857.5m.
Within that, Informa Markets delivered £1.96bn in revenue
while Informa Festivals doubled in reported revenue to £397.9m following
acquisitions and portfolio expansion.
Stephen A. Carter, chief executive of Informa, said the
group had delivered an “outstanding performance”.
“The power of live, the value of proprietary first-party
data, deep international reach and the deployment of AI technology are driving
strong customer demand for our specialist brands,” he said.
Continued growth forecast for 2026
The group expects the momentum to continue, targeting around
6 per cent underlying revenue growth in 2026, with B2B Live Events expected to
grow by more than 7 per cent.
Informa said more than £2bn of 2026 revenues are already
paid, booked or committed, reflecting the strong forward visibility typical of
large exhibitions and recurring exhibitor relationships.
The company highlighted continued growth in major event
brands across sectors including healthcare and food, citing events such as
HIMSS, WHX Dubai and Natural Products Expo as strong performers early in 2026.
The company is also continuing to target growth in IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa) in 2026 following a strong opening performance in January/February ($250m± revenue), despite the current war.
The report says: "There is currently some travel disruption in locations directly impacted by military activities but it remains business as usual in others. Around 40 per cent of IMEA revenue for the year has either already traded or relates to brands within BAU locations and, following successful rescheduling, all of the remaining brands are due to run or have secured a confirmed option to run in the last four months of the year. We therefore remain fully committed to our 2026 targets and long-term growth opportunities."
Structural tailwinds for meetings and events
Informa also pointed to several structural trends supporting
the long-term growth of the global meetings and exhibitions sector. These
include governments increasingly using meetings, incentives, conferences
and exhibitions as a tool for economic development, and rising demand for
specialist, industry-focused trade shows.
The company said the value of face-to-face business
interaction is increasing in a digital world, while more complex global supply
chains are driving demand for marketplaces where buyers and suppliers can meet
efficiently.
Investment in data and AI
Alongside physical events, Informa continues to expand
digital capabilities through its One Informa strategy, embedding AI and
first-party data across its businesses.
This includes tools designed to enhance matchmaking,
marketing and customer experience at events, while also creating new revenue
streams such as attendee services, hosted buying programmes and sponsorship
opportunities.
Strong cash generation also allowed the group to return
£620m to shareholders in 2025, including dividends and share buybacks. Informa
has increased its 2026 buyback programme to £250m, reflecting continued
confidence in cashflow.
Free cash flow reached £884.8m, ahead of expectations, while
net debt fell to £3.07bn.
Editor's comment by M&IT editor Paul Harvey
"For event planners and organisers, Informa's results reinforce the
scale and resilience of global trade shows and specialist conferences.
"With governments and destinations increasingly investing in
business events and major exhibition brands continuing to expand
internationally, Informa said it expects the sector to remain a core driver of
growth in the coming years. This sustained growth in live events, alongside heavy investment in data, AI and hosted buyer formats, suggests the future of the sector will favour fewer, bigger and more data-driven event platforms that deliver measurable business outcomes for exhibitors and planners alike.
"We will have to see how the current war in the Middle East plays out before we find out if Informa's growth targets for the region remain realistic."
