- Business
- GL Events SA (GLO.PA) is a France-based integrated event industry group that provides comprehensive solutions and services across the event value chain, including event design, production, logistics, venue management, and exhibition organization; its activities encompass turnkey solutions for corporate, institutional, sports, cultural, and political events through the GL Events Live division, management and coordination of a portfolio of over 200 proprietary trade shows and consumer fairs in sectors such as agri-food, ecological transition, textiles/fashion, industry, construction, building, and health via the GL Events Exhibitions division, and operation of a network of approximately 60 venues including convention centers, exhibition centers, concert halls, and multi-purpose facilities in the GL Events Venues division. The company offers specialized services such as structures, grandstands, consulting, event engineering, design and organization, exhibitors' and visitors' services, venue rental, food and beverage, marketing and production, reception, general installation, layout and decor, energy, stand construction, signage, audiovisual, and furniture. Founded in 1978 as Générale Location and renamed GL Events SA in 2003, the company is headquartered in Lyon, France, and operates in more than 20 countries across five continents, with international markets accounting for 51% of H1 2025 revenue; it is a subsidiary of Polygone SA, employs approximately 5,950 people, and maintains a presence in key regions including Europe (France, Benelux, Hungary, UK), Latin America (Brazil, Chile, South Africa), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Asia (China, Japan), and others.
In recent developments, GL Events has pursued strategic external growth, entering exclusive negotiations in late 2024 for a 51% stake in Saudi Arabia's ADD Group, a Riyadh-based event management firm with over €90 million in 2023 turnover specializing in event production, stand design, signage, audiovisual, and logistics including the Innovation Zero World Congress, expected to finalize by mid-2025 to accelerate Middle East expansion; the Exhibitions division strengthened its healthcare vertical by organizing SantExpo, acquiring a 69% interest in a Chinese veterinary equipment exhibition, and purchasing B4 Events, a medical congress organizer, in H1 2025. The Venues division expanded through new long-term contracts including a three-year deal for Marseille's Chanot Exhibition and Convention Centre, five-year for China International Exhibitions Center in Beijing, 16-year for Guangzhou Exhibition Center via GL Events Yuexiu Guangzhou Développement, acquisition of Santiago's Riesco event space in early 2025, and a concession for Paris' Stade de France effective August 2025; these moves supported 8% revenue growth to €889 million and 20% EBITDA increase to €139 million in H1 2025, with full-year 2025 targets of over 5% sales growth, improved operating margin, €80 million CAPEX, and stable net debt amid ongoing talks for Fimalac Entertainment.