Customer Centricity: Learning from the Events Ecosystem

Customer Centricity: Learning from the Events Ecosystem

Carole Boletti • November 9, 2023
Carole Boletti • November 9, 2023

Share

Stax’s Exhibitions 3.0 framework, which has been adopted by a number of international organizers, lays out the importance of placing customers—both exhibitors and visitors—at the heart of exhibition organizers’ business models. To get there, a data-driven approach enabled by digital and technology is critical. This customer-centric approach can be replicated across other industries as well. 


The Covid pandemic proved the importance of keeping audiences engaged outside of the period during the physical event. There are a multitude of ways to utilize customer data to shape exhibitions and provide more personalized show experiences. 

Exhibitions 3.0: Transformation and developing your

Event organizers have been explicit in their focus on customer centricity. A notable example is Informa’s proprietary data engine IIRIS, which has tracked c.1.5B customer interactions with 15M contacts in their KEMA (Known, Engaged, Marketable Audience), of which exhibition participants are a major constituent. Furthermore, the group-level acquisition of Industry Dive, a digital B2B media and digital services provider, has strengthened Informa’s audience engagement capacity.


Online marketplaces are another channel to facilitate outside-show engagement and increase the number of customer touchpoints. Examples include Comexposium’s THE SHOwP platform (formerly CXMP), Emerald’s acquisition of Bulletin which connects c.26,000 retailers and Clarion’s business sourcing platform Global Sources Online.


Stax continues to believe that placing the customer at the heart of organizers’ businesses will help them transform exhibitions into brands—the logical next step in the evolution of the industry.


Stax is the global leader in strategy consulting for the events industry. Our mission is to create value for our clients across the events ecosystem and guide transformation. With a 30-year track record, Stax offers strategic support to corporates and private equity firms across the events landscape. Stax is the go-to strategic advisor for the world’s leading organizers, venues, service providers, event tech, and investors, offering support for transactions and value creation. 

 

Our work is rooted in market and customer understanding, enriched by our unrivalled expertise across the events sector. Additionally, we also publish the annual Globex report, widely recognized as the definitive resource on market dynamics by international organizers and investors. 

Image of Carole Boletti

Associate Director | London

Read More

Grant Thornton Stax Appoints Chen Liu as Partner to Drive Growth in Technology and Education Sectors
October 30, 2025
Stax, part of the Grant Thornton Advisors LLC multinational platform, has announced the appointment of Chen Liu as Partner. Read more about Chen and his responsibility with the firm.
Education Growth Strategy: Rethinking the Commercial Engine
By Miriam El-Baz & Alex Erines October 30, 2025
Many PE-backed education companies struggle with commercial scaling. Robert Lytle, Miriam El-Baz, & Alex Erines share how to align commercial engines to how district and school leaders buy.
The MSP Landscape: Ripe for Consolidation, Expansion, and Expertise-Led Differentiation
By Tyler Veit, Tyler Michaels, Luke Scheibel, & Yiwei Jiang October 28, 2025
The MSP sector offers durable growth through recurring revenues, industry-specific specialization, and ecosystem partnerships—while AI introduces new opportunities. Read more.
Phil Dunne Featured on The Consulting Report's Podcast: Top Consultant
By Phil Dunne October 23, 2025
Stax Managing Director Phil Dunne recently joined the Top Consultant podcast hosted by The Consulting Report, to discuss his career and Grant Thornton Stax. Listen to the show here.
Grant Thornton Stax Honored with Prestigious OnCon Icon Top 100 Award
October 22, 2025
Grant Thornton Stax has been awarded the esteemed OnCon Icon Top 100 award for its excellence in marketing. Click here to read about the award.
Grant Thornton Stax Supports TrustArc Acquisition by Main Capital Partners​
October 22, 2025
Grant Thornton Stax recently supported TrustArc, a leading provider of privacy compliance and data protection solutions, on its acquisition by Main Capital Partners. Read more here.
Show More