Company Overview
Clarion Events Inc. - North America, headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, is recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most diverse event organizers in the United States. The company began its journey in the Gift & Souvenir event space in 1995 and has significantly expanded its footprint to cover 12 industry sectors. The company's expansion has been driven through strategic acquisitions, launches, and innovation.
Clarion Events North America produces over 50 events across multiple formats including hosted buyer models, content-led community events, enthusiast events, and large-scale tradeshows. The company is backed by The Blackstone Group and has offices strategically located in Shelton, CT; Tulsa, OK; Tacoma, WA, and Fairlawn, NJ.
Key Sectors and Events
Clarion Events North America operates in 12 industry sectors, prominently including Art, Gaming, Retail, Power & Energy, and Fire Rescue. Their events cover a diverse range of formats such as:
- Hosted buyer and connection-led models
- Content-led community events and virtual summits
- Digital product and service marketplaces
- Regional and large-scale tradeshows
Noteworthy mentions include five of their shows being recognized as top TSNN Trade Show Events.
Recent News and Developments
- New Leadership Roles:
- Greg Topalian: Announced as Chairman of Clarion Events North America on February 13, 2024. Greg previously served as CEO and has over 25 years of experience in exhibition and enthusiast events.
- Liz Irving: Appointed as President of Clarion Events North America on August 21, 2023. Liz has been with Clarion since 2015 and brings extensive expertise in strategic direction.
- Strategic Partnerships:
- February 28, 2022: The creation of the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role to drive product diversification and innovation.
- December 7, 2021: Partnership with the National Indian Gaming Association to expand global reach.
- Key Acquisitions:
- 2018: Acquisition of PennWell, which brought several significant trade shows into Clarion's portfolio, notably enhancing their position in the U.S. market.
- 2016: Acquisition of LeftField Media, founded by Greg Topalian, which focuses on enthusiast events including Rose City Comic Con.
- Awards and Recognitions:
- November 30, 2023: For the second consecutive year, Clarion Events North America received the “Great Place to Work” Certification.
- Multiple events, including UCX USA and the GridTECH Connect Forum, have been launched to maintain and strengthen community connections.
Key Financials
- Estimated Annual Revenue: $37.7 million
- Revenue Per Employee: $225,500
- Employee Count: 167
- Employee Growth: 37% in the past year
Leadership Profiles
Greg Topalian
Role: Chairman, Clarion Events North America
Experience: Greg has a robust background in exhibition and enthusiast events, having previously founded New York Comic Con. He joined Clarion following the acquisition of LeftField Media in 2016 and was named CEO of Clarion Events North America in 2017 before being elevated to Chairman in 2024.
Liz Irving
Role: President, Clarion Events North America
Experience: Liz oversees strategic direction focusing on customer insights and commercial effectiveness. She played a crucial role in establishing the first president position for Clarion Events North America in 2023. She has been instrumental in driving Clarion's growth and innovation strategies.
Kelly Comboni
Role: President, LeftField Media, Quartz & Consero
Experience: Kelly has a rich background in both trade and consumer show marketing. She joined Clarion through the acquisition of LeftField Media and has been integral in expanding their enthusiast event portfolio.
Mark Wilmoth
Role: Chief Financial Officer
Experience: Mark manages financial operations and has been crucial in seamless integration during acquisitions such as PennWell.
Desiree Hanson
Role: Chief Commercial Officer (Energy, Gaming, Gift & Souvenir, Food & Beverage, Fashion, and Airport)
Experience: Desiree joined in 2017 and has excelled in connecting with the customer base, leading her sectors to grow under her commercial strategies.
Narisa Wild
Role: Chief Digital Officer
Experience: Recently appointed in 2023, Narisa leads digital strategy and product innovation efforts for Clarion Events North America.
Competitor Profile
Overview
Clarion Events Inc. - North America is a prominent event organizer based in Shelton, CT, known for producing a wide array of events across various sectors. The company organizes more than 50 events annually, spanning 12 industry sectors and operating from 7 offices. With a workforce exceeding 200 employees, Clarion Events has established itself as a significant player in the North American events industry.
Key Personnel
- Mike Carlucci - Chief Operating Officer
- Lisa Berry - Group VP
- Narisa Wild - SVP Digital Strategy and Products
- Angela Harar - VP Customer Experience & Growth
- Amanda Gochee - VP Marketing Strategy
- Heather Crovo - VP Human Resources
- Jason Packard - Director, Financial Planning and Reporting
- Daniel Green - Director, Database Marketing
Competitors
Clarion Events North America faces competition from multiple companies within the event services sector. Key competitors include:
Major Competitors
1. Big Fish Promotions
- Revenue: $5.7 million
- Employees: 35
- Headquarters: Glastonbury, CT
- Specialization: Experiential marketing
- Website: [Big Fish Promotions](http://bigfishpromotion.com)
2. Reed Exhibitions (RX Global)
- Revenue: $32.2 million
- Employees: 143
- Global Presence: Over 400 events in 22 countries
- Specializations: Wide range of sectors from aerospace to pop culture
- Website: [RX Global](https://rxglobal.com)
3. Blue Flame
- Revenue: $59.1 million
- Employees: 262
- Specialization: IT services and consulting
- Website: [Blue Flame Labs](https://theblueflamelabs.com)
4. JD Events
- Revenue: $11.8 million
- Employees: 64
- Headquarters: Fairfield, CT
- Specialization: Developing and growing innovative industry-leading events
- Website: [JD Events](https://jdevents.com)
5. ReedPOP
- Revenue: $35.2 million
- Employees: 156
- Specialization: Pop culture events
- Website: [ReedPOP](https://www.reedpop.com)
Other Notable Competitors
- RX USA: Known for its diverse portfolio and innovation in event technology.
- Lisbon Fire Department: A regional competitor with modest caps in terms of revenue and employee count but strong in niche markets.
- Yale Conferences: Smaller in scale but proficient in delivering specialized event services.
