GL events
GL events is a publicly-traded French event management company operating three integrated divisions — Live (event production), Exhibitions (103 trade shows), and Venues (60+ global sites) — serving corporations, institutions, and governments with end-to-end event solutions across 20+ countries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersLyon, France
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GL events does
GL events is a publicly-listed French event management company founded in 1978 as Polygone Services by Olivier Ginon, listed on Euronext Paris (EPA:GLO) since 1998. The company operates through three integrated business divisions — Live (event design, production, temporary structures, tribunes, audiovisual, energy distribution), Exhibitions (organization of 103 trade shows and events annually attracting 910,000+ visitors and 17,837 exhibitors), and Venues (a network of 60+ managed event venues across 20+ countries) — supported by 90+ Live agencies and more than 6,000 employees worldwide.
Revenue is generated across professional services (event production and consulting), transaction-based fees (exhibitor and visitor fees, sponsorships for the Exhibitions division), and managed services (venue rental, facility management, concessions). The company reported record consolidated revenue of €1.635 billion in 2024 (+15% YoY), with the Live division contributing €824.5M, Venues €442.6M, and Exhibitions €138.5M. Pricing is custom and quote-based, with major clients including corporations, institutions, governments, and Olympic organizing committees.
GL events serves a broad customer base spanning corporate event organizers, trade show exhibitors, sports federations, government bodies, and cultural institutions. Marquee engagements include the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (70% of temporary installations, 160,000 tribune seats), Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (Official Temporary Infrastructure Partner across 20 venues), UNCCD COP16 Riyadh (100,000 m² of temporary infrastructure in 90 days), and a partnership with Festival de Cannes dating to 1988. The company has executed a multi-decade acquisition trail — including Première Vision, Tranoï, FISA, CACLP, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Field & Lawn, Locabri, and the pending ADD Group (Saudi Arabia) — to build an international footprint spanning France, Europe, South America (Brazil, Chile), Asia (China, Japan), the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), Africa (South Africa, Morocco, Algeria), and Oceania.
GL events firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GL events
- Legal name
- GL events Support
- Website
- https://gl-events.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- GL events is a publicly-traded French event management company operating three integrated divisions — Live (event production), Exhibitions (103 trade shows), and Venues (60+ global sites) — serving corporations, institutions, and governments with end-to-end event solutions across 20+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GL events industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Management Services
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations (MPAGALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM), Trade Shows & Industry Expos (B2B) (MPAGAHAB), Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB)
Keywords
Where GL events is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lyon
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices17 records
Markets served
GL events business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Event production services (Live): Design, construction, and operation of events including temporary structures, tribunes, audiovisual, energy distribution, furniture, signage, and hospitality services. Revenue from equipment rental (130.1M€) and service provision.
- Exhibition organization (Exhibitions): Organizing professional and public trade shows globally. Revenue from exhibitor fees, visitor fees, sponsorships, and related services. 103 events, 910,663 visitors, 17,837 exhibitors.
- Venue management (Venues): Managing a network of 60+ event venues worldwide under concession or ownership arrangements. Revenue from venue rentals, facility management fees, and event hosting.
- Integrated event solutions: Full-service offering combining Live, Exhibitions, and Venues divisions for comprehensive event delivery from conception to execution.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
GL events product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GL events is a global integrated event solutions provider operating across three complementary business divisions: GL events Live (event conception, design, production, equipment rental and turnkey execution), GL events Exhibitions (organization of 103+ professional and public trade shows annually), and GL events Venues (management of 60+ event venue sites worldwide under concession or ownership). The group delivers the full event value chain from creative concept to on-site execution, including temporary structures, tribunes, audiovisual, energy distribution, signage, hospitality, and venue hosting across 20+ countries.
Product overview
GL events is a global event management company operating across three complementary business units: Live (event conception and execution services), Exhibitions (trade show organization), and Venues (venue management network). The company manages 60+ venues globally and organizes 103 exhibitions and events, generating €1.267B in combined revenue across its divisions. Key exhibition brands include Hyvolution (hydrogen industry), Première Vision (fashion), Sirha (food service), Global Industrie (manufacturing), CACLP (IVD diagnostics), and Aquasur (aquaculture). The Venues network spans 20+ countries with major sites including Stade de France (Paris), Riocentro (Rio), Eurexpo Lyon, São Paulo Expo, and Centro de Congressi (Milan). GL events also provides major event services including infrastructure for Olympic Games, COP summits, and international sporting events. The company operates primarily as a physical events and venue management provider rather than a software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GL events Live: Event design and execution services, including technical services, construction, stands, audiovisual, furniture, and reception services.
- GL events Exhibitions
- GL events Venues
- Réseau s.pass
- Live by GL events
- GL events Equestrian Sport
- Greentech+
- Hyvolution
- Sirha
- Première Vision
- Global Industrie
- Health & Science
- Observatoire International de la Création
Products and services
- GL events Live Turnkey event solutions provider covering the full event lifecycle from consulting and design to on-site execution. Services include construction of temporary structures and tribunes, audiovisual, energy distribution, stands, signage, furniture, and hospitality services, delivered through 90+ agencies globally. Generated €824.5M revenue across 1,323 events.
- GL events Exhibitions Exhibition organizing division managing professional and public trade shows in France and internationally. Organizes 103 shows and events annually spanning sectors such as industry, fashion, agribusiness, healthcare, food service, and energy, attracting 910,663 visitors and 17,837 exhibitors. Generated €138.5M revenue.
- GL events Venues Global venue management network operating 60 event sites across France, Europe, South America, Asia, and South Africa. Includes convention centers, exhibition parks, receptive venues, and multifunctional halls hosting 4,100+ events annually across 2.18M+ square meters. Generated €442.6M revenue.
- GL events Venues Network (60 Sites) Global network of 60 event venues including Stade de France (Paris, 30-year concession), Riocentro (Rio), Eurexpo Lyon, São Paulo Expo, Distrito Anhembi (São Paulo), Centre de Congrès de Lyon, Square-Brussels Convention Centre, MEETT Toulouse, Hungexpo (Budapest), World Forum The Hague, and others across 20+ countries.
- Hyvolution
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% of temporary installations for Paris 2024 Olympics
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use GL events
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GL events technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
GL events partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Visit.BrusselscoreInitiative to transform Brussels city center into integrated convention district. SQUARE - Brussels Convention Centre (GL events Venues) leads project with Visit.Brussels and cultural institutions including BOZAR, KBR, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, and Musée BELvue.
- AGEFIPHcoreThree-year partnership agreement for disability inclusion in employment. GL events strengthens its Diversity & Inclusion policy by committing to structured actions for recruiting, retaining, and supporting employees with disabilities. Includes network of Disability Relays deployed nationally.
- Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026flagshipGL events Italia formalized as Official Temporary Infrastructure Partner for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. GL events will supply, design, install, maintain, and remove temporary infrastructure across 20 venues including Arena Santagiulia in Milano, Predazzo, and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Partnership emphasizes legacy, sustainability, and reuse principles.
- ADD Group (Riyadh)flagshipGL events entered exclusive talks to acquire 51% of Riyadh-based ADD Group, marking significant expansion into Saudi Arabian market aligned with Vision 2030. Represents strategic M&A for market entry in Middle East.
- LOXAMcoreJoint partnership for Paris 2024 Olympics providing electrical infrastructure, temperature control, and International Broadcast Center operations. GL events and LOXAM delivered clean and reliable energy across 55+ sites in support of Olympic sustainability goals.
- MatmutcoreNaming rights partnership for Matmut Stadium (formerly Stade de Gerland) in Lyon. Partnership extended until 2031. Matmut serves as title sponsor for the 100-year-old venue home to LOU Rugby.
- LOU RugbycorePartnership for stadium operations at Matmut Stadium. GL events Sports manages the venue as home ground for professional rugby club LOU Rugby, combining sports and event operations.
- Yuexiu GroupflagshipJoint venture to develop venue network in China. Partnership enables management of Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center (Beijing), Guangzhou Aerotropolis Expo Center, and Yuexiu International Congress Center (Guangzhou).
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
GL events competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Informa (Informa Markets + Informa Connect): World's largest exhibitions and events organizer (Informa Markets) with comparable trade show portfolio (fashion, industry, healthcare) and venue partnerships. Direct competitor to GL events Exhibitions and Live divisions across Europe, Americas, and Asia.
- Messe Frankfurt: Operates one of the world's largest exhibition venue networks (Frankfurt Fairground + 30+ global subsidiaries) and runs its own branded trade shows (Ambiente, Heimtextil). Closely comparable on venue management scale and trade show organization depth.
- Reed Exhibitions (RELX): Exhibition organizing arm of RELX, running major trade shows across aerospace, travel, and entertainment. Direct competitor to GL events Exhibitions brands with overlapping enterprise client bases in the same sectors.
- Comexposium: Paris-based major trade show organizer (Vivatech, Paris Retail Week, Maison&Objet) with overlapping fashion/consumer industry portfolio to GL events Première Vision, and direct competition for French exhibition clients.
- Koelnmesse: Cologne-based trade fair organizer and venue operator with comparable B2B exhibition portfolio (food, industry, leisure). Direct competition for GL events across European trade show and venue business.
- Freeman: Largest US-based event production and AV services company, a direct competitor to GL events Live division for corporate events, congresses, and large-scale temporary infrastructure builds.
- dmg events: International trade show organizer (Big 5 construction, ADIPEC energy, industry events) with comparable B2B exhibition operations to GL events Exhibitions, particularly in the Middle East and Africa where GL events is expanding.
Regional players
- Fira Barcelona: Barcelona-based trade fair venue operator and organizer, direct competition in Spain/Mediterranean venue and exhibition market, especially relevant to GL events Venues Spain operations.
Broad incumbents
- Sodexo Live!: Specialized division of Sodexo providing hospitality, catering, and event services to stadiums, convention centers, and arenas. Comparable to GL events Live services within Sodexo's broader food services portfolio.
Emerging players
- IMEX Group: MICE event organizer focused on incentive travel and meetings industry exhibitions (IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America). Adjacent peer addressing overlapping MICE market segments where GL events operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GL events social profiles
Digital presenceGL events compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
GL events financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GL events leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
GL events subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries28 records
GL events funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GL events M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A18 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GL events
What does GL events do?
GL events is a global integrated event solutions provider operating across three complementary business divisions: GL events Live (event conception, design, production, equipment rental and turnkey execution), GL events Exhibitions (organization of 103+ professional and public trade shows annually), and GL events Venues (management of 60+ event venue sites worldwide under concession or ownership). The group delivers the full event value chain from creative concept to on-site execution, including temporary structures, tribunes, audiovisual, energy distribution, signage, hospitality, and venue hosting across 20+ countries.
Is GL events a public or private company?
GL events is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was GL events founded?
GL events was founded in 1978. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is GL events based?
GL events is headquartered in Lyon, France, in the Europe region.
How does GL events make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Event production services (Live) is the primary driver. The others are exhibition organization (Exhibitions), venue management (Venues) and integrated event solutions.
Who are GL events's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Informa (Informa Markets + Informa Connect), Messe Frankfurt, Reed Exhibitions (RELX), Comexposium, Koelnmesse, Freeman and dmg events. Fira Barcelona is listed as a regional player. Sodexo Live! is listed as a broad incumbent. IMEX Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does GL events have an API?
No public API is recorded for GL events.
What industry is GL events in?
GL events's product category is Event Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAH, Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations, with a secondary code of MPAGAGAM, Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics). Its NAICS code is 711310 and its SIC code is 7900.