Following our acquisition of Hydrogen Technology Expo and Carbon Capture Technology Expo events in the US and Germany, we had the privilege of sitting down with Mike Robinson, the CEO of Trans-Global Events to talk about Mike's journey in the events business, the culture at Trans-Global, and the invaluable synergy with CloserStill.

 

A Pioneer in Event Organisation

Mike is a second-generation event organiser who brings a wealth of experience to the table. He combines a genuine passion for launching new events with the ability to spot emerging tech trends and untapped markets, seizing the opportunities they present, such as the pioneering work Trans-Global is doing in the fields of hydrogen and carbon capture.

Mike launched Trans-Global Events in November 2018, after spending 17 years with UKi Media & Events, founded by his father Tony Robinson. Mike says: ‘I went off to university to do my own thing and after finishing, rather than going into events, I went to work for a technology firm. It was at this point Tony convinced me to enter the exhibitions world and he was right that it’s a wonderful industry... but he also encouraged me to find my own niche.’

Mike was excited to dive into the Hydrogen and Carbon Capture market, which mirrors CloserStill’s commitment to sustainability, renewable energy, and related sectors. The mid-covid timing was also fortuitous, allowing their first two events to go ahead in October 2021, while the additional challenges of covid only made their small team more determined.

 

Unicorn Technology for Sustainability

Trans-Global Events is at the forefront of developments in the hydrogen and carbon capture sectors – a "unicorn technology" with high potential to revolutionise the world of sustainability and play a significant role in helping organisations reach their net-zero targets.

There are extensive markets for hydrogen in sectors like airspace and maritime, and Trans-Global Events aim to cover this broad scope that extends to numerous sectors.

 

A Young and Talented Team

Trans-Global Events currently boasts a small yet dynamic team of 19 individuals, with five dedicated to carbon capture projects. No one on the team aside from Mike, had prior events experience, meaning everyone brought fresh perspectives to the table. Mike is a strong advocate for nurturing talent, a principle that resonates deeply with our culture at CloserStill.

 

Seamless Integration with CloserStill

When Mike met Gareth and Alexia, he knew instantly that his team could easily integrate with CloserStill and saw synergy with the core values at the heart of Trans-Global Events, emphasising fast-paced teamwork and fostering positive working relationships. Our recent Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe event in September in Bremen, Germany marked a significant milestone for Trans-Global Events’ and CloserStill’s partnership, with visitors growing by over 50% year on year, and an impressive 75% of them rebooking on-site!

 

Office Culture & Fun

Beyond the boardroom, Mike and his team are all about building lasting relationships. Even after work hours, they enjoy socialising at the local pub and sharing stories, from the "Wall of Shame" for funny faux pas, to memorable experiences and even one team member's fascination with raccoons!

Mike’s problem-solving mindset and commitment to innovative, dynamic events align seamlessly with our core principles and values at CloserStill and we all look forward to what the future holds for this dynamic partnership.