On April 16 local time in France, GL events Group released its preliminary financial report for the first quarter of 2025. The report indicates a year-on-year revenue growth of 11%, reaching €430 million (approximately RMB 3.561 billion)* during Q1 2025.
Olivier Ginon, Chairman-CEO of GL events Group, commented:
"GL events has gotten off to an excellent start in 2025, bolstered by strong fundamentals, particularly in Brazil and France, and by the remarkable commitment of its teams around the world. This doubledigit growth confirms our strategic market position as an organiser of major world events and a promoter of sustainable management and operating models for major event venues contributing to the socio-economic development of destinations. Our recent success in winning major contracts (for several hundred million euros for mega events spread over 2025 and 2026) illustrates our capacity for maintaining a trajectory of steady growth. It also reflects our goal of building more sustainable events for every type of public. We have every confidence in our ability to meet our targets for 2025. At the same time, in an international environment marked by a trade war whose effects are still difficult to assess, we are adopting a cautious approach. True to our vision and ambitions, we will continue to seize the best opportunities for creating value for all our stakeholders and shareholders.”
GL EVENTS LIVE reported growth of 1.6% to €195.5m, up from €192.4m in Q1 2024. The division grew 1.3% LFL1 . GL events Live has been actively contributing to iconic events such as the Saut Hermès international jumping show, France’s International Agricultural Fair (SIA), Maison & Objet, the MIPIM, the Christian Dior Homme & Haute Couture as well as Louis Vuitton and Yves SaintLaurent fashion shows fueling the strong performance of Q1 2025. In the international arena, GL events strengthened its presence in the Middle East by providing services for disassembling assets and restoring the COP 16 site in Riyadh. Finally, the structures business continued to grow, with the first contractual milestones for the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice and the provision of services for the Cheltenham horse races.
GL EVENTS EXHIBITIONS had revenue of €123.3m in Q1 2025, with 23.5% growth on a reported basis and 23% LFL1 . This strong growth was underpinned by several major events which, in conjunction with a positive biennial effect, confirm the sector's post-COVID rebound. Sirha and Global Industrie in Lyon both posted double-digit growth in activity. Other highlights of the quarter included Be Positive Lyon, Première Vision Paris, Tranoï Paris Women and CFIA. In China, our exhibitions devoted to the construction and fittings sector have not yet benefited from our strategy of expanding the product range. In contrast, the CACLP exhibition maintained a high level of activity, retaining its position as the world's leading exhibition for the in vitro diagnostic industry.
GL EVENTS VENUES reported excellent momentum in Q1 2025, with revenue on a reported basis up 18.1% (+19.0 LFL1 ) to €111.2m. Revenue growth in France was based on activity in Lyon (SIRHA, Global Industrie, Salon du 2 roues, CTCO and the Salon du Randonneur), Saint Etienne, ClermontFerrand (Geek convention) and Metz (WorldSkills Grand Est). In international markets growth was driven by sites in The Hague (Aveva Ignite EMEA), Johannesburg (G20 Preparatory Meeting), Santiago de Chile, Rio de Janeiro (Super Rio Expo Food), Santos and Sao Paulo (Expo Revestir, Plastico Brazil).
*Based on the benchmark exchange rate published by the Bank of China on April 21