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Easyfairs Belgium Announces Public Takeover Bid for Xpo Group
5/13/2026
BRUSSELS - Easyfairs Belgium has announced its intention to launch a voluntary and conditional public takeover bid for all shares issued by Xpo Group BV, the corporate entity behind leading business-to-business event portfolios such as the ARCHITECT@WORK and Solar Solutions series, as well as the Kortrijk Xpo multipurpose events venue. The bid is supported by the board of directors and the management teams of both Xpo Group and Easyfairs Belgium.
Matt Benyon, CEO of Easyfairs Group commented: “Easyfairs and Xpo Group are highly complementary in the industries they serve and their international footprint. The integration of the Xpo Group’s portfolio into the Easyfairs Group fits perfectly within our growth strategy of expanding our network of events in Europe and the United States, offering opportunities for geo-cloning.” Xpo Group has built an extensive portfolio covering a wide range of vertical industries including construction, interior design, sustainability, marketing & communication, food, retail, and technology.
Anne Lafère, CEO of Easyfairs Group added: “We share the same DNA: highly targeted, innovation-led events at the heart of regional communities, delivering strong ROI for exhibitors and a high-value experience for visitors. The pan-European event series ARCHITECT@WORK, with 30 regional events in 12 countries, is a prime example.”
Saskia Soete, CEO of Xpo Group, commented: “We are very excited about this next step and confident that, subject to the completion of the offer, it will open a new chapter for our communities and our people. This combination is set to generate powerful opportunities, enhancing the value we deliver at our events and creating prospects for growth and innovation on both sides.”
The offer is now subject to the approval of the prospectus by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) and to customary conditions applicable to transactions of this nature, as well as the condition precedent of the change of Xpo Group BV’s articles of association. The full terms and conditions as well as Easyfairs Belgium’s objectives will be described in a prospectus submitted to the FSMA for approval and to be made available to the public in accordance with the applicable regulations.
This joint announcement follows a notification pursuant to Article 7 of the Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids, which can be consulted here.
NOTE: This communication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or an invitation to sell or issue any securities of Xpo Group BV. Any decision with respect to the offer will be based solely on the prospectus to be approved by the FSMA.
About Easyfairs – Visit the future
Easyfairs organises and hosts events, bringing communities together to visit the future. We currently organise 110 market-leading event titles in 16 countries (Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States) and manage eight event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen-Brussels North, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmö and Stockholm). We are passionate about “easifying” the life of our customers and increasing the return on investment and return on time for professional communities through our all-in formulas, advanced technology and customer centric approach. Our digital features and initiatives provide these communities with excellent opportunities to network effectively and do business throughout the year. The Easyfairs Group employs 940 highly committed talents, deploys the best marketing and technology tools and develops brands with a strong appeal to our stakeholder communities. For the seventh year running, Deloitte conferred “Best Managed Company” status on Easyfairs in 2025. Visit the future with Easyfairs and find out more on www.easyfairs.com.
About Xpo Group – Creating meaningful connections
At Xpo Group, everything revolves around meaningful encounters. We connect people, businesses, and communities in a way that truly creates value. Since 1967, we have been creating meeting places where meaningful connections, inspiring ideas, and business opportunities come together.
Xpo Group combines three complementary activities:
Venue management: Historically, our organization is rooted in the operation of Kortrijk Xpo. For decades, our versatile exhibition halls and modern meeting center have been the ideal venues for any event.
Trade fair organization: Creating strong trade fair concepts, both nationally and internationally, is our core business today. We achieve this by continuously innovating, rolling out our successful concepts internationally, and growing through acquisitions.
Community building: A growing pillar within our strategy. We develop digital tools and community platforms that strengthen our events and connect exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.
Find out more at www.xpogroup.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
BRUSSELS - Easyfairs Belgium has announced its intention to launch a voluntary and conditional public takeover bid for all shares issued by Xpo Group BV, the corporate entity behind leading business-to-business event portfolios such as the ARCHITECT@WORK and Solar Solutions series, as well as the Kortrijk Xpo multipurpose events venue. The bid is supported by the board of directors and the management teams of both Xpo Group and Easyfairs Belgium.
Matt Benyon, CEO of Easyfairs Group commented: “Easyfairs and Xpo Group are highly complementary in the industries they serve and their international footprint. The integration of the Xpo Group’s portfolio into the Easyfairs Group fits perfectly within our growth strategy of expanding our network of events in Europe and the United States, offering opportunities for geo-cloning.” Xpo Group has built an extensive portfolio covering a wide range of vertical industries including construction, interior design, sustainability, marketing & communication, food, retail, and technology.
Anne Lafère, CEO of Easyfairs Group added: “We share the same DNA: highly targeted, innovation-led events at the heart of regional communities, delivering strong ROI for exhibitors and a high-value experience for visitors. The pan-European event series ARCHITECT@WORK, with 30 regional events in 12 countries, is a prime example.”
Saskia Soete, CEO of Xpo Group, commented: “We are very excited about this next step and confident that, subject to the completion of the offer, it will open a new chapter for our communities and our people. This combination is set to generate powerful opportunities, enhancing the value we deliver at our events and creating prospects for growth and innovation on both sides.”
The offer is now subject to the approval of the prospectus by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) and to customary conditions applicable to transactions of this nature, as well as the condition precedent of the change of Xpo Group BV’s articles of association. The full terms and conditions as well as Easyfairs Belgium’s objectives will be described in a prospectus submitted to the FSMA for approval and to be made available to the public in accordance with the applicable regulations.
This joint announcement follows a notification pursuant to Article 7 of the Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids, which can be consulted here.
NOTE: This communication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or an invitation to sell or issue any securities of Xpo Group BV. Any decision with respect to the offer will be based solely on the prospectus to be approved by the FSMA.
About Easyfairs – Visit the future
Easyfairs organises and hosts events, bringing communities together to visit the future. We currently organise 110 market-leading event titles in 16 countries (Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States) and manage eight event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen-Brussels North, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmö and Stockholm). We are passionate about “easifying” the life of our customers and increasing the return on investment and return on time for professional communities through our all-in formulas, advanced technology and customer centric approach. Our digital features and initiatives provide these communities with excellent opportunities to network effectively and do business throughout the year. The Easyfairs Group employs 940 highly committed talents, deploys the best marketing and technology tools and develops brands with a strong appeal to our stakeholder communities. For the seventh year running, Deloitte conferred “Best Managed Company” status on Easyfairs in 2025. Visit the future with Easyfairs and find out more on www.easyfairs.com.
About Xpo Group – Creating meaningful connections
At Xpo Group, everything revolves around meaningful encounters. We connect people, businesses, and communities in a way that truly creates value. Since 1967, we have been creating meeting places where meaningful connections, inspiring ideas, and business opportunities come together.
Xpo Group combines three complementary activities:
Venue management: Historically, our organization is rooted in the operation of Kortrijk Xpo. For decades, our versatile exhibition halls and modern meeting center have been the ideal venues for any event.
Trade fair organization: Creating strong trade fair concepts, both nationally and internationally, is our core business today. We achieve this by continuously innovating, rolling out our successful concepts internationally, and growing through acquisitions.
Community building: A growing pillar within our strategy. We develop digital tools and community platforms that strengthen our events and connect exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.
Find out more at www.xpogroup.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
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