August 2025 – Deals and Trends Report

August was one of the busiest M&A months we’ve seen in years. July and August each recorded as many deals as the entire first six months of 2025 combined. GMA tracked 10 significant event M&A transactions in August, following 11 in July.

Latest Trends: Adjacent Industries, Cross-Border Deals, High Growth Sectors, Luxury

Buyers are expanding  portfolios by acquiring multiple events in adjacent industries, building broader ecosystems and taking advantage of complementary customers. In late August, EndeavorB2B acquired eChemExpo, adding to its already impressive processing and manufacturing portfolio including brands like Control, Chemical Processing, Food Processing, Pharma Manufacturing, and Processing. 

In a notable cross-border deal, Boston-based Datos Insights, leading advisory firm in the banking, insurance, securities and payments industry, acquired London-based Instech, an insurance community, and producer of industry-leading events.

In an unusual move, Japan’s JTB Corp’s announced they will acquire US-based Northstar Travel Group, a leading B2B travel industry events and media platform from EagleTree Capital.  JTB is one of Japan’s largest travel solutions providers. Expected to close in September, the acquisition provides JTB with a direct media and events pipeline into the international travel industry.

Nineteen Group continued their  strategy of investing in specialized high-growth sectors. In early August, it acquired The Payments Association, the UK-based membership organisation and events platform for the payments industry. 

Another development is the emergence of luxury market experiential events connecting brands with affluent, passionate audiences. Clarion Capital Partners-backed Marketplace Events acquired the Cincinnati Travel, Sport & Boat Show, combining it with their vast portfolio of leisure, travel and recreational brands. duPont REGISTRY, already a leader in the luxury automotive sector, acquired the Naples Automotive Experience, set in one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. Both these deals highlight how curating experiences around affluent enthusiast communities offers significant revenue potential. 

Taken together, these deals are great examples of the broader trends shaping the industry.. Buyers have long been expanding their ecosystems by consolidating events in similar verticals.Cross-border M&A is common as buyers look to scale globally and access new communities. High-growth sectors are normally a good bet. Lastly, accessing the luxury market has proven quite lucrative.  If August is any indication, the second half of 2025  has the strong potential to be especially active.