Live in-person events – all the way from trade shows and confexes through conferences to meetups, roundtables and awards ceremonies – are increasingly the focus of B2B companies. The post-pandemic rebound in live events helped to prove the power of, and appetite for, in-person events after two years of paralysis. But the growth of generative AI has also served to emphasise the way that the relationships created by live events may become the formidable antidote to the increasing commodisation of information. In-person relationships can become (even more) the durable core of B2B companies.
That’s why events are centre-stage at our Monetising B2B Information & Events 2026 conference in London on Wednesday 13 May. The participants include 15 CEOs of companies which already manage hybrid information, data and events portfolios, including: Kevin Costello (Haymarket: 68% digital, 23% events), Simon Foster (Arc Network, 68% events), , Tracy De Groose (William Reed: 64% events, 24% digital), Paul Miller (Questex: 70% events, 30% digital), Dean Curtis (LexisNexis data services), and Andrew Mullins (Informa Connect). They will participate in fireside chats and panel discussions, sharing their strategies for B2B information and events and their ideas for the future.
In addition to the CEOs of pureplay data companies, the lineup includes the leaders of events-led companies which have pioneered the development of meetings formats, tightly targeted audiences and integrated digital media, including: Mark Shashoua, of the $390mn-revenue Hyve Group (whose last Shoptalk event featured more than 50, 000 meetings between buyers and sellers); Ray Bloom chair and founder and Carina Bauer,CEO of the 20-year-old IMEX Exhibitions which pioneered the Hosted Buyers Programmes, accounting for two-thirds of the attendance at its annual meetings industry events in Germany; Alison Jackson, CEO, of the UK’s fast-growing Nineteen Group; Douglas Emslie global investor in trade show and information companies; Orson Francescone, of FT Live, which organises more than 300 events, many integrated in the news and information output of the Financial Times; and Alex Roth, group strategy director of Informa, the world’s largest B2B events and information group.
Monetising B2B will focus on what these and many other industry leaders are doing to: integrate events into their information and data offerings, maximise the benefits of AI and other tech to protect customer relationships, and to innovate in the UK and internationally.
It will address the issues of: new-wave festivals, paid-for events, the exploitation of high-value data, membership schemes and Startup Stories from B2B entrepreneurs who have learned the hard way. It wil be a day of insights, ideas, learning and networking.
The unique event is made more distinctive by:
- A uniquely collegiate venue with a capacity of 200, to enhance engagement and networking
- A programme of fireside chats and panel discussions. No formal speeches
- A fact-packed pre-event eBook of background reading and case studies (*attached below is the 2025 edition)
- Near live transcripts of every session and post-event audio/ video for all delegates
- Messaging and meeting apps for delegates and speakers before, during and after the event
- MediaVoices MasterClasses with expert tutors and workbooks
For full details and to sign up for Monetising B2B Information & Events 2026, please click on this link. It’s a limited-time, special launch rate for individuals and corporate groups. You should book now.
*2025 Delegates eBook for Monetising B2B Information & Events
Commercial opportunities
For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please contact: Jussi Makela
Flashes & Flames Media Ltd, is the publisher, event organiser and podcast producer of Flashes & Flames®, MediaVoices®, Monetising B2B and The Publisher Festival. Flashes & Flames and MediaVoices are registered trade marks.
