GL events Greater China

What GL events Greater China does

GL events Greater China (智奥会展大中华区) is the regional operating entity of France-listed GL events Group (Euronext Paris: GL0), headquartered in Shanghai at Long Zhi Meng Plaza in Changning District. Established in Greater China around 2006, the entity now spans 20 major Chinese cities with 800+ employees and serves as the group's platform for integrated event services across three core segments: LIVE (活动与体育赛事运营), VENUES (场馆管理), and EXHIBITIONS (展会主办). The group was founded in France in 1978 and listed on Euronext Paris in 1998.

The company's service portfolio spans the full event lifecycle — from strategic planning, concept design, and structural construction through exhibition hosting, venue operations, and on-site execution. The LIVE segment delivers 14 specialized capabilities including design consulting, modular structures, exhibition stands, AV services, power, furniture rental, signage, and hospitality. The VENUES segment manages 4 Chinese venues (Capital International Convention Center/Beijing, Guangzhou Yuexiu International Convention Center, Guangzhou Airport Expo Center, Shanxi Xiaohai International Convention and Exhibition Center) as part of a 60+ venue global network covering over 2.4 million square meters. The EXHIBITIONS segment owns and operates more than 10 proprietary B2B trade show brands in China including CACLP (in-vitro diagnostics), Fashion Source (apparel supply chain), ISH China & CIHE (HVAC), CHF Beijing (home furnishings), and multiple seed/pet industry expos.

Revenue is generated through project-based, quote-based professional services contracts (LIVE), managed venue services (VENUES), and organizer fees/sponsorship/exhibitor charges from proprietary exhibitions (EXHIBITIONS). The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and corporate clients (Louis Vuitton, Dior, YSL, Hermès, Aston Villa FC, Formula 1). Pricing is custom and multi-year where venue management is concerned. The international business department leverages the parent's global venue and exhibition network to help Chinese enterprises expand overseas and to onboard foreign brands into China. The parent group's 2025 revenue reached €17.211B (up 7.4% YoY), with 55% from international markets; Q1 2026 revenue grew 9% YoY to €468.1M.

Name

GL events Greater China

Legal name

GL events Support

Website

https://gl-events.com.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GL events Greater China is the Shanghai-based regional subsidiary of France-listed GL events Group, providing integrated LIVE (event production), VENUES (4 managed convention centers), and EXHIBITIONS (10+ proprietary trade shows) services to governments, state-owned enterprises, and global brands across 20 Chinese cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Management and Exhibition Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade Shows & Industry Expos (B2B) (MPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management) (BPAFAGAD), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM), Regional Multi-Sport Games & Festival Organizers (MPAKADAK)

Keywords

• Event management services
• Exhibition organizing
• Venue management
• Sports event operations
• Convention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. LIVE - Events and Sports Operations: Provides comprehensive event solutions from design to delivery including temporary structures, modular buildings, grandstands, technical equipment, power, AV, furniture and hospitality services. Generated 9.688 billion euros in 2025 revenue with 62% from international markets.
2. EXHIBITIONS - Exhibition Organizing: Organizes trade and consumer exhibitions in industry sectors including industrial manufacturing, construction engineering, fashion textiles, agri-food, real estate, and retail. Operates 150+ owned exhibitions globally. Generated 2.381 billion euros revenue in 2025, up 41.5% year-over-year.
3. VENUES - Venue Management: Manages and operates a network of 60+ venues globally including convention centers, exhibition centers, and multi-purpose event spaces. Generated 5.141 billion euros revenue in 2025, up 16.2% year-over-year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GL events Greater China provides integrated event, venue, and exhibition services through three core segments: LIVE (event and sports operations offering 14 specialized services from design to delivery), VENUES (operating a global network of 60+ venues including 4 in China), and EXHIBITIONS (organizing 150+ proprietary trade and consumer exhibitions across fashion, healthcare, agriculture, HVAC, and home furnishing sectors). The company delivers end-to-end solutions from strategic planning and concept design through venue management and on-site execution for governments, state-owned enterprises, and corporate clients.

Product overview

GL events Greater China operates as an integrated exhibition and event services provider with three core business segments: LIVE (活动与体育赛事运营) providing comprehensive event and sports operations services from design to delivery with 14 specialized service areas; VENUES (场馆管理) managing an international network of 60+ venues globally with 4 venues in China; and EXHIBITIONS (展会主办) organizing trade and consumer exhibitions across fashion textiles, construction, healthcare, and agriculture sectors. The company operates major exhibition brands including CACLP (China International IVD Exhibition), FASHION SOURCE (Fashion Source Shenzhen Exhibition), ISH China & CIHE (China HVAC Exhibition), CHF (Beijing Home Furnishing Expo), and multiple other vertical industry exhibitions. Key subsidiaries include 智奥鹏城(深圳)展览有限公司, 智奥中智兴, and GL events China Limited. The company serves clients across 20 major cities in China with 800+ employees, providing one-stop solutions from event planning to execution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LIVE: Events and sports operations segment providing design-to-delivery solutions for live events
• VENUES
• EXHIBITIONS

Products and services

• LIVE (活动与体育赛事运营) Comprehensive event and sports operations services from design to delivery, covering 14 specialized areas including project positioning, design consulting, exhibition stands, building structures, sports venues, total contracting, power and energy supply, booth design and construction, signage, audiovisual services, furniture supply and rental, space design and decoration, and concierge hospitality.
• VENUES (场馆管理) Manages an international network of 60+ venues across France, Europe, Asia, South America, and South Africa, with 4 venues in Greater China including Guangzhou Yuexiu International Convention Center (GYICC), Capital International Convention Center (CIECC), Guangzhou Airport Expo Center (GAEC), and Shanxi Xiaohai International Convention and Exhibition Center.
• EXHIBITIONS (展会主办) Organizes trade and consumer exhibitions in Greater China across fashion textiles, construction and decoration, healthcare, and agriculture sectors. Operates an international exhibition department helping domestic enterprises expand overseas markets through a global resource network.
• CACLP (中国国际检验医学暨输血仪器试剂博览会) China International Exhibition on Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Instruments and Reagents - the leading in-vitro diagnostic professional exhibition globally, serving as a major academic exchange and business platform for the IVD industry worldwide.
• FASHION SOURCE (时尚之源深圳展) China's leading fashion supply chain exhibition held in Shenzhen, featuring one exhibition plus one fashion week model, showcasing fashion trends, designer brands, fabrics, and accessories. Partner brand includes ODF (Original Design Fashion) awards.
• ISH China & CIHE (中国供热展) China International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Sanitary & Home Comfort Systems. A comprehensive industry event in Asia covering HVAC, heat pump, and home comfort systems value chain, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026.
• CHF (北京国际家居产业博览会) Beijing International Home Furnishing Industry Expo - integrates Beijing Jianbo, Beijing Custom Home Door Industry Exhibition, and Beijing Soft Decoration Exhibition, focusing on entire home customization, full-house soft decoration, door and window customization, building decoration materials, smart home, elderly care home, and pet-friendly home sectors.
• 成都种业博览会 (Chengdu Seed Industry Expo) Annual seed industry exhibition in Southwest China covering seed and seedlings, irrigation equipment, smart agriculture, pesticides, agricultural machinery, and organic fertilizers across the entire agricultural industry chain.
• 东西部小动物临床兽医师大会 (WESAVC) Western & Eastern Small Animal Veterinary Conference - one of the world's top professional veterinary conferences, attracting thousands of veterinary professionals to discuss advanced diagnostic technologies, clinical practices, and industry development trends.
• 亚洲小动物专科医师大会 (ASASVC) Asian Small Animal Specialist Conference - a leading pet medical academic conference in Asia focusing on veterinary specialization, with content covering surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, oncology and other specialty areas.
• 哈尔滨种业博览会 (Harbin Seed Industry Expo) Established in 1995, one of China's oldest, largest, and most influential comprehensive seed industry platforms covering field seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, smart agriculture, and vegetable seeds.
• iPET宠物风尚展 (iPET Pet Style Expo) Annual event focused on pet fashion and lifestyle trends, featuring smart home, fashion apparel, creative cultural products, pet fashion shows, and new product launches.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 annual revenue: 17.211 billion euros, up 7.4% year-over-year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Hangzhou West Lake International Expo Management Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Strategic cooperation on green industrial park project, introducing international green standards and sustainable development concepts, creating an integrated platform for exhibition innovation, low-carbon technology, and industry incubation.
• Minyoun Business TravelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Signed strategic cooperation MOU to jointly create innovative pathways for convention and hotel complex development.
• Pudong New Area GovernmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Cooperation discussions on entertainment experience sector, planning to create innovative culture-sports-tourism integrated projects.
• Shanghai Disney ResortstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Joint cooperation discussions on entertainment experience field, planning innovative culture-sports-tourism integration projects.
• Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian GamescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Official partner for the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games, providing event management and preparation services.
• Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter GamescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Official temporary facilities provider for 19 venues across Milan, Bormio, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Tesero, and Predazzo, providing design, supply, installation, maintenance, and removal of temporary structures.
• Expo 2025 OsakacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Provided support for 7 national pavilions (Germany, Serbia, Romania, Malta, EU, Spain, Portugal) including design consulting, architecture, booth design, and space decoration services.
• CARAC GroupstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CARAC Group became shareholder of Stade de France operating company. GL events will continue long-term cooperation with complementary expertise.
• Fimalac (Acquisition)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Completed acquisition of Fimalac's live performance venue network across various regions and Salle Pleyel, a landmark Paris concert hall.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hyve Group: UK-listed international exhibition organizer (formerly ITE Group) running portfolio shows across fashion, building, food and energy in emerging markets. Comparable mid-scale operator with overlap to GL events' exhibition-organizing segment.
• Clarion Events: Private UK-headquartered organizer of trade and consumer events across defense, gaming, energy, fashion and retail — portfolio of 180+ events. Comparable in scale and trade-show portfolio composition to GL events' EXHIBITIONS segment.
• Tarsus Group: International B2B exhibition organizer with strong verticals in medical, aerospace, automotive and home products. Closely comparable in vertical-anchored exhibition portfolio to GL events' CACLP, ISH China & CIHE, and Fashion Source shows.
• Koelnmesse: Cologne-based exhibition venue operator and organizer hosting major trade fairs in food, furniture, motorsport and leisure. Comparable mid-cap operator competing with GL events in events, venue management and exhibition organization.
• MCH Group: Swiss exhibition and live-marketing group operating Basel-area venues (including Messe Basel) and organizing Art Basel, Swissbau and other flagship shows. Direct comparable in venue management plus exhibition organizing, including flagship arts/entertainment franchises.
• Comexposium Group: Paris-headquartered integrated event organizer operating across exhibitions, venues and event services in fashion, food, security and tech. Closest comparable — same French heritage, similar three-pillar model, similar mid-cap scale to GL events Group.
• Messe Frankfurt: German trade-fair organizer and venue operator with its own Frankfurt exhibition campus and ~150 events globally, including strong presence in consumer goods, textiles, lighting and automotive — overlapping directly with GL events' fashion, textile and HVAC exhibitions.
• Fiera Milano: Italian exhibition venue operator and organizer running Rho Fiera and Fieramilanocity venues and a portfolio of industry trade shows. Closely comparable model combining venue operation with owned exhibition brands in fashion, design and industrial sectors.

Broad incumbents

• Informa Markets: The exhibitions and live-events arm of Informa plc, the world's largest trade-show organizer with hundreds of branded events (including post-Tarsus acquisitions). Larger scale and broader portfolio, but directly competes with GL events for B2B exhibition mandates across healthcare, fashion and construction verticals.
• RX (Reed Exhibitions / RELX Events): RX, the exhibitions division of RELX, operates 300+ events across 25+ sectors including dmg events post-2022 acquisition. Largest global incumbent in trade-show organizing, offering overlapping capability to GL events in exhibition hosting and venue services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gl-events-china

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about GL events Greater China