(London, December 19):  Private equity funds managed by Providence Equity Partners has acquired CloserStill Media.

CloserStill is a fast-growing exhibitions business, operating an award-winning portfolio of global brands in the technology, learning and healthcare sectors. Flagship events include the London Vet Show, Cloud Expo Asia, Data Centre World, The Pharmacy Show, Learning Technologies and The Dentistry Show. The company has achieved significant organic and inorganic growth, with eleven acquisitions completed in the last three years. Today, CloserStill has a team of over 270 employees across a global network of offices in London, Paris, New York, California, Berlin, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Founded in 2008, multi-award winning CloserStill operates more than 40 market-leading, content-led exhibitions and conferences in the technology, healthcare and learning sectors globally.  The B2B event portfolio includes The London and New York Vet Show, Cloud Expo and Data Centre World (Hong Kong, Singapore, Frankfurt, Paris and London), Learning Technologies (London, Paris, Berlin) and DevLearn (Las Vegas), plus a series of healthcare and medical events including The Dentistry Show and the Pharmacy Show.  

Since running its first event in 2009 CloserStill has won far more Awards than any other Trade Show company. CloserStill has featured in The Sunday Times HSBC International FastTrack 200 for the last three consecutive years on the back of its international growth and is poised to accelerate its international expansion. At the 2018 Industry Awards Ceremonies, CloserStill won “Best Trade Show”, “Best Trade Show Launch”, “Best Trade Show Rising Star”, “Best Salesperson in the Exhibition Industry”, “Best Operations Team in the Industry” and “Best Marketing Team in the Industry“.

Philip Soar, Chairman & CEO of CloserStill, said: “Over the past ten years we have worked diligently to develop a best-in-class team that has driven our remarkable growth. CloserStill now has a roster of the best attended and largest events focused on the high-value technology and healthcare sectors globally. We are excited to partner with Providence, who have extensive experience in our industry, and whom we have known for some time. Providence have a superb track record in supporting growth businesses, not least in the Trade Show industry.”

Andrew Tisdale, Managing Director at Providence said: “We’re delighted to invest in CloserStill and its management team and return to the thriving exhibitions sector.  CloserStill’s growth story is truly impressive and the entrepreneurial culture across the business makes it unique. We’re delighted to be backing an ambitious business and motivated team as it rolls out more organic launches and accelerates its international M&A programme.”

Phil Nelson, Commercial Director and co-founder of CloserStill, said: “Since founding the business in 2008, we have been fortunate to expand within our attractive sector verticals and I am thrilled with the results made possible by the dedication and creativity of our colleagues. I really look forward to the next chapter of our growth.”