Informa Exhibitions Becomes Informa Markets; Charlie McCurdy Speaks Out
April 30, 2019
Last year was a monumental one for Informa, with the purchase of UBM in January 2018 forming the largest exhibition company in the world. Today the London-based company announced another big change: a new brand identity for one of its divisions. Going forward, Informa Exhibitions will be known as Informa Markets.
This new identity reflects the company’s ongoing development and expansion, along with its focus on enabling the success of its customers and the specialist markets in which they work, from health and nutrition to construction, pharma, agriculture and more.
Informa Markets consists of more than 550 international B2B events and brands and employs 4,400 colleagues across 40 countries.
To accompany the change, Informa Markets’ new website launched this week. We sat down with Charlie McCurdy, president and CEO, to learn more about the change (you can also read another interview with McCurdy HERE).
What does it take, in your mind, for a company such as yours to successfully rebrand?
Certainly it’s a new brand for a business that’s an equal combination of a legacy exhibitions business and a legacy events business. Looking at the strategy and objectives of each of these companies, after a lot of internal discussion, the name Informa Markets seemed to reflect our sense of purpose. A lot goes into it; one is preparation and putting time into the process. Most fundamentally, it comes out of exploration within the organization and among colleagues to arrive at a name that is both meaningful and impactful.
How will you educate your clients about the new brand?
As far as the unfolding of the brand, we’re in good shape. We’ve introduced a new website and plan to transition signage in the office; those processes have all been done before. As far as deployment of the brand around the world, we’re [being] very mindful of that and taking an especially careful approach to socializing the brand among the company and with our customer base.
Should clients expect any changes?
In a very large number of cases, the Informa and UBM names were at most secondary to the shows clients would participate in, so there’s little day-to-day impact on clients. What I’d like to see, and what has developed within our company, is [for our colleagues] to think of themselves as great organizers of exhibitions, yes, but perhaps more importantly that they have a big role in making these specialist markets work effectively. The underlying impact of the Informa Markets name is the orientation to our role of helping bring opportunities to people in the specialist markets we support, in addition to organizing exhibitions. Exhibition referred to the product; Markets refers to the purpose we have as a company.
You’ve undergone many changes over the last year. Will you slow down on that front?
I won’t say we’re slowing down; we have a lot of work to do to run a global business. The task this year is to put in place the activities the combination [of the two companies] promised, such as addressing these vertical markets on a global basis. Our job is to be a great exhibition company and more. The role we play in helping buyers find qualified suppliers and suppliers find qualified buyers is a very powerful one.
Watch a video on Informa Markets’ new brand identity HERE.
Photo credit: Informa Markets
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
Add new comment