The world’s cyber security industry crowds into San Francisco’s Moscone Center next week for its annual convention. There’s plenty to talk about, of course. But this year, mingling with the experts will be rival exhibitions executives assessing what the RSA Conference (RSAC) will be worth when/if it comes up for sale. The conference is considered a non-core (but highly profitable) part of the Dell-owned RSA for which an investment consortium last week agreed to pay $2.08bn.
RSAC is the world’s largest cyber security event. It was launched in 1991 and has enjoyed the rapid growth you would expect. An ancillary event takes place in Asia, but the San Francisco flagship is believed to have revenues of some $40m and to attract some 50k visitors – which may be three times that in 2008.
An auction of RSAC, possibly in 2021, will attract all major event organisers and the legions of private equity fans of trade shows. But Reed Exhibitions and Clarion Events may be especially keen to strengthen their existing cyber security shows. Informa won’t be far behind.
