SAE Media Group

What SAE Media Group does

SAE Media Group (legal entity: SMi Group Ltd, registered in England and Wales) is a privately held B2B conference and events organizer founded in 1990 and headquartered in London, operating within the SAE International group of companies. The company produces 30+ annual conferences, workshops, and masterclasses across four verticals: defence and security (its core franchise, including flagship events on Counter-UAS, Loitering Munitions, UAV Technology, MilSatCom, Military Robotics, and Armoured Vehicles), pharmaceuticals (Pre-Filled Syringes, Injectable Drug Devices, AI in Drug Discovery), utilities (Smart Water Systems), and aviation (The Aviation Carbon Event, acquired in 2024). Events are rotated across the UK, North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa to serve both government end-users (defence ministries and armed forces) and a deep roster of enterprise sponsors including Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Airbus, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, RTX, L3Harris in defence, and Haselmeier, Gerresheimer, Terumo, and Nemera in pharma.

Underlying the event portfolio is a core conference management platform with integrated Document Portal for distributing presentation materials in PDF format, CPD-certified learning accreditation, and online registration/e-commerce. Revenue is generated through four streams: conference delegate fees (invoiced with 14-day terms), quote-based sponsorship and exhibition sales across multiple tiers (Lead, Speaking, Exhibit, Networking Reception, Coffee, Lunch, Branding, Lanyards), one-time sales of event documentation via the Document Portal, and sponsorship-supported programmes such as the Create the Future Design Contest, which awards a $25,000 grand prize and has accumulated over 16,000 entries from 100+ countries since inception. Bespoke group bookings, sponsorship tiers, and invoice-based payment terms indicate a sales-led, enterprise go-to-market motion rather than self-serve transactional volume.

In August 2024 SAE Media Group acquired C-UAS Hub, a US-based counter-UAS news and resource platform with users in over 180 countries, extending its owned-media footprint beyond annual events. In May 2026 the company launched the Loitering Munitions Hub as a free, year-round digital platform for defence professionals, signaling a strategic shift from pure events toward a hybrid events-plus-content model. A partnership with JODDB (Jordan) supports the company's first C-UAS conference for the Middle East and Africa region, while the Document Portal, Editor's Corner editorial content, and bi-monthly newsletters sustain engagement between conference cycles.

Name

SAE Media Group

Legal name

SMi Group Ltd

Website

https://smgconferences.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAE Media Group is a London-based B2B conference and events organizer serving defence, security, pharmaceutical, utilities, and aviation professionals through 30+ annual conferences, owned media hubs (C-UAS Hub, Loitering Munitions Hub), and CPD-certified learning, generating revenue from delegate fees, sponsorship, and event documentation sales across the UK, North America, Europe, and MEA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Conference Delegate Fees: Revenue from individuals and organisations paying to attend conferences, workshops, masterclasses, and virtual events across defence, security, pharmaceuticals, and utilities sectors. Fees vary by event; payment terms include 14-day invoicing for bookings made 16+ days in advance, and immediate payment for bookings within 15 days.
2. Sponsorship and Exhibition: Revenue from companies sponsoring events or purchasing exhibition space. Sponsorship tiers include Lead Sponsor, Speaking, Exhibit, Networking Reception, Coffee/Tea Break, Lunch, Branding Package, and Lanyard Sponsor options. Major sponsors listed include Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Airbus, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, RTX, L3Harris, and others.
3. Event Materials and Document Portal Access: Sale of conference documentation, presentation slides on CD-ROM, event transcriptions, and Document Portal access. Payment for materials must be made in full at order placement; these sales are non-refundable and produced specifically to order.
4. Create the Future Design Contest: SAE Media Group produces an annual engineering and innovation design contest attracting entries globally. Revenue partially supported by sponsors (Mouser Electronics as Platinum sponsor, Intel and Analog Devices as co-sponsors). The contest awards a $25,000 grand prize.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SAE Media Group (trading name of SMi Group Ltd) is a UK-based B2B conference and events company that organizes specialized conferences, workshops, and masterclasses across the Defence & Security, Pharmaceuticals, Utilities, and Aviation sectors. The company monetizes these events through delegate attendance fees, corporate sponsorship packages, and exhibition sales, and complements its event calendar with owned digital media hubs (C-UAS Hub, Loitering Munitions Hub) and a Document Portal for distributing post-event materials.

Product overview

SAE Media Group is a professional independent global event company specializing in B2B conferences, workshops, and masterclasses across Defense & Security, Pharmaceuticals, Utilities, and Aviation sectors. The company operates a portfolio of specialized conference events alongside owned media platforms including C-UAS Hub (acquired 2024) and Loitering Munitions Hub (launched 2026), providing year-round intelligence resources for defense professionals. Additional offerings include the Document Portal for accessing conference materials and the Create the Future Design Contest for engineering innovation. The company holds CPD certification for its educational events and maintains a network of sponsors and partners across the defense and pharmaceutical industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C-UAS Hub: Counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) news and resource platform providing industry news, research, and market intelligence for the defense, security, and law enforcement industries.
• Loitering Munitions Hub
• Create the Future Design Contest

Products and services

• Conference Events Portfolio A portfolio of more than 30 annual B2B conferences, workshops, and masterclasses organized across the Defence & Security, Pharmaceuticals, Utilities, and Aviation sectors, targeting government, military, defence primes, pharmaceutical, and utility professionals worldwide.
• C-UAS Hub Online news and resource platform specializing in counter-UAS market intelligence, providing industry news, research, and resources for anti-drone efforts in the defense, security, and law enforcement industries.
• Loitering Munitions Hub Dedicated online platform for defense professionals tracking developments in loitering munitions and drone warfare, providing bi-monthly newsletters, industry insights, and connections to international conference calendars.
• Create the Future Design Contest

Quantifiable outcome

• C-UAS Hub attracts users from over 180 countries with increased traffic in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• C-UAS Hub (acquired from Tom Adams and Casey Flanagan)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2024SAE Media Group completed the acquisition of C-UAS Hub, a news and resource platform for the counter-UAS industry founded in 2022. The platform has experienced rapid growth, attracting users from over 180 countries. The acquisition aims to strengthen SMG's offerings and expand C-UAS Hub's role as a primary resource in the defence, security, and law enforcement industries.
• JODDB (Jordan Design and Development Bureau)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAE Media Group partnered with JODDB to host the first C-UAS conference for the Middle East and Africa region. This collaboration represents a significant expansion of SMG's C-UAS programming into new geographies, co-developed with a regional defence authority.
• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA partnership was formed to develop automated wildfire suppression technology using drone swarm systems. Multiple companies including General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and others are working on UAV innovations and safety for environmental management and security applications. The initiative leverages advanced drone tech for public good applications.
• Mouser ElectronicsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMouser Electronics is the Platinum sponsor of the Create the Future Design Contest, a global engineering and innovation competition produced by SAE Media Group. Mouser has co-sponsored the contest alongside Intel and Analog Devices, contributing to a $25,000 grand prize. The contest has attracted over 16,000 design ideas from engineers and students across more than 100 countries since inception.
• IntelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIntel is a co-sponsor of the Create the Future Design Contest produced by SAE Media Group. The partnership supports global engineering innovation and provides a platform for Intel to engage with engineering talent and emerging technologies.
• Analog DevicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnalog Devices is a co-sponsor of the Create the Future Design Contest produced by SAE Media Group, supporting the global engineering and innovation competition.
• SAE International (parent group)flagshipOthersSAE Media Group is part of the SAE International group of companies. Within this group, SMG shares personal data with affiliated companies including ABP International, Inc. (Tech Briefs Media Group), SAE International, Thorn Hill LLC, SAE Industry Technologies Consortia, and Performance Review Institute for processing purposes.
• Conference Event Sponsors (Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Airbus, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, RTX, L3Harris, AeroVironment, Anduril, BlueHalo, Diehl Defence, Glenair, Milrem Robotics, IAI, Aaronia, General Dynamics Mission Systems, and others)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 20 major defence and aerospace companies sponsor SAE Media Group events. These sponsors include global primes and specialised technology providers across defence and security sectors. Sponsorship tiers include Lead Sponsor, Speaking, Exhibit, Networking Reception, Coffee/Tea Break, Lunch, Branding Package, and Lanyard options. These partnerships provide sponsors with direct access to SMG's professional conference audience.
• Pharmaceutical Sector Sponsors (Haselmeier, Gerresheimer, Terumo, Nemera, Cambridge Consultants, ZEON, Crux, Schrödinger, and others)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSAE Media Group attracts pharmaceutical and drug delivery companies as sponsors of its Pharmaceuticals sector events, including pre-filled syringes and injectable drug device conferences. Sponsors include Haselmeier (drug delivery devices), Gerresheimer (pharmaceutical primary packaging), Terumo, Nemera, Cambridge Consultants, ZEON, and others.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sae-media-group
• Xx.com/SAEMGPharma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SAE Media Group