Emap Connect, the conference and exhibition division of Emap International, is to be rebranded i2i Events Group and restructured as a standalone operating company. The changes come as part of a major reorganisation of Emap International, in which three new independent operating companies will be established, with the group holding company becoming Top Right Group.

CEO of the conference and exhibition division, Mark Shashoua, said becoming a standalone operating company would enable i2i Events Group, which currently accounts for around 40 per cent of the group’s turnover, to establish its own culture, location and independent business plans.

“This is a great opportunity to grow our brands globally and it has given us the freedom to make our own investment choices,” he said. “We will be investing in great content at all our events and will give further focus to delivering operational excellence for visitors and exhibitors.”

Shashoua’s immediate focus is to build an international sales team and seek expansion opportunities in fast-growing overseas markets, particularly China, Latin America and Singapore.

i2i Event Group’s portfolio currently includes the World Retail Congress, BETT, Naidex, Spring Fair International, RWM, BVE and Pure London, among others. i2i Events Group will also manage a new division, Lions Festivals, which will be led by Philip Thomas and consist of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Eurobest, World Architecture Forum, Dubai Lynx and Spikes Asia.

Pictured: CEO of i2i Events Group, Mark Shashoua