Easyfairs and Xpo Group Unite to Create a Stronger Events Leader: The New European Exhibition Powerhouse?

The European exhibition industry has entered a new chapter. On 31 July 2026, Easyfairs completed its acquisition of Xpo Group, bringing together two of the continent's most established organisers of specialist trade events. The move creates a significantly larger international portfolio spanning dozens of industries, strengthens Easyfairs' presence across Europe and beyond, and reflects the wider trend of consolidation as organisers seek greater scale and stronger sector expertise alongside year-round engagement with professional communities.

by Archie Marshall || 5 August 2026

Following the successful completion of its public takeover bid, Easyfairs Belgium NV now owns 100% of Xpo Group. Together, the two organisations combine complementary exhibition portfolios and extensive international operations in order to achieve a shared philosophy of creating highly focused business events where exhibitors meet the right buyers and visitors efficiently discover the suppliers, innovations and expertise most relevant to their industries.

The acquisition substantially expands Easyfairs' international reach. Xpo Group organises 61 trade events across 17 European countries, covering sectors including construction, interior design, renewable energy, manufacturing, technology, food, retail, marketing and communications. Its best known brands include ARCHITECT@WORK, which serves architects and specifiers in 13 European countries, alongside the Design Nation series and the Solar Solutions portfolio. Xpo Group also operates Kortrijk Xpo in Flanders, hosting both its own exhibitions and third-party events.

Matt Benyon, Group CEO of Easyfairs, described the acquisition as a milestone in the company's development. "The acquisition of Xpo Group represents a significant step in the growth of Easyfairs," he said. "It adds an attractive portfolio of established events and creates new opportunities for expansion in Europe and the United States. We see considerable potential to grow the combined portfolio by combining our expertise and developing digital products that extend the value of our brands throughout the year." He added that the enlarged organisation is expected to benefit from improved sales, marketing and operational efficiency.

The two companies have long shared a similar approach to exhibitions, focusing on specialist industry communities rather than broad consumer audiences. Their events are designed to maximise return on investment for exhibitors while helping visitors quickly identify the suppliers, products and innovations most relevant to their businesses.

Anne Lafère, Group CEO of Easyfairs, believes this common philosophy is one of the greatest strengths behind the deal. "What excites me most about welcoming Xpo Group is how naturally our businesses complement one another," she said. "We share strong Belgian entrepreneurial roots, but we have both built successful international businesses by developing specialist event concepts. Bringing our portfolios together creates exciting opportunities to deliver even greater value for our customers."

That shared customer-first approach also extends to the companies' commitment to simplifying participation through streamlined event formats, flexible stand packages, digital tools and enhanced on-site services; an approach Easyfairs describes as "easifying" the exhibition experience.

The integration is also expected to strengthen Easyfairs' operations in Belgium, where both organisers have built strong positions in sectors including manufacturing, construction, food, hospitality and retail. Kenneth Verheyden, CEO of Easyfairs Belgium, said bringing the two organisations together would allow teams to exchange expertise while creating greater value for exhibitors, visitors and partners.

From Xpo Group's perspective, joining Easyfairs provides access to a broader international platform while preserving the specialist brands that have driven its success. CEO Saskia Soete-De Boosere said the partnership would create new opportunities for both customers and employees while maintaining the entrepreneurial culture and long-term vision shared by both companies.

With the acquisition now complete, Easyfairs further strengthens its position among Europe's leading organisers of specialist business events. As organisers increasingly seek international scale and digital engagement beyond the exhibition hall, the combination of Easyfairs and Xpo Group could prove to be another defining moment in the ongoing evolution of the European trade fair industry.