Apollo plans to acquire Emerald Holding and Questex, two US-based live events businesses, in a deal valued at $1.5 billion for Emerald. The private equity firm aims to transform the live events landscape through this strategic combination that consolidates significant market presence and creates a dominant player in the B2B events space.

Apollo intends to merge the companies to create a North American B2B experiential events and media platform. The combined entity will host approximately 160 events, positioning itself as a major player in the industry with substantial market reach and diversified offerings across multiple sectors including trade shows, conferences, and publications.

Under the terms of the deal, Emerald stockholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash. The acquisition reflects Apollo's confidence in the resilience of live events despite recent challenges in the sector, as these B2B gatherings continue to hold value for professionals seeking in-person networking and education opportunities that digital platforms cannot replicate.