LOS
ANGELES and LAS
VEGAS, Dec. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Truelink
Capital today announced that it has closed the transaction to
acquire GES, a leading provider in the global exhibition and event
industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"We are excited to officially begin our partnership with GES, a
leader in the exhibition and event industry, and to build on its
strong foundation," said Luke Myers,
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Truelink Capital. "Together with
GES' exceptional leadership team, we will continue to invest in its
core strengths in creative design, logistics and event management,
pursue growth through strategic acquisitions, and expand its agency
presence. We are grateful to Viad for their support during this
transitional period, which has been instrumental in setting the
stage for GES' next chapter of success."
GES, founded over 90 years ago, has built an exceptional
reputation for delivering world-class exhibition, event, and brand
activation solutions on a global scale, and will now operate as an
independent company. Derek Linde,
its current President, will continue to lead the business as
President & CEO.
"We are thrilled to take the next step to become a standalone
company," said Derek Linde.
"Together with Truelink's stewardship, we will excel in delivering
extraordinary event experiences for our clients across the
globe.
With over 2,600 talented team members across North America, Europe, and Asia, GES provides comprehensive services that
span strategy, creative design, logistics, and event production,
enabling clients to deliver transformative experiences. The
company's innovative solutions cater to a wide array of industries,
including healthcare, aerospace & defense, automotive,
technology, and retail, offering end-to-end support for both live
and virtual events. In addition to its core services, GES has
successfully expanded into adjacent verticals, becoming a trusted
partner for associations, exhibitors, and agencies in the dynamic
world of brand activation. Its leadership in this segment is
supported by its ability to build long-lasting relationships with
clients and partners alike.
This transaction marks the sixth acquisition for Truelink
Capital, a middle-market private equity firm focused on creating
long-term value by partnering with industry-leading companies. The
firm has a successful track record of operationally focused
investments in the industrials and tech-enabled services
sectors.
BrightTower and Baird served as financial advisors and Kirkland
& Ellis served as legal advisors to Truelink Capital for the
transaction. Moelis & Company LLC served as the financial
advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to
Viad Corp. for the transaction.
ABOUT TRUELINK CAPITAL
Truelink Capital is a middle-market private equity firm based
in Los Angeles. Truelink pairs deep industry experience in the
industrials and technology-enabled services sectors with a
commitment to building partnerships that drive long-term value
through an operationally focused strategy. Truelink partners with
management, corporate sellers, and founders to accelerate growth
through the execution of strategic initiatives and transformative
add-on acquisitions. Truelink is investing out of Truelink
Capital Fund I, a $950 million
fund.
ABOUT VIAD CORP
Viad (NYSE: VVI) historically operated
through two businesses: GES and Pursuit. GES is a global,
full-service provider for live events, offering a range of services
from creative design and strategy to event production and
logistics. GES serves a wide variety of clients, including major
associations, exhibitors, and corporations, delivering impactful
experiences that engage audiences and drive brand growth. Pursuit
is an attractions and hospitality company that owns and operates a
collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic
destinations in the United States,
Canada, and Iceland that enable visitors to discover and
connect with stunning national parks and renowned global travel
locations.
For more information, visit www.viad.com.
Media Contacts:
Truelink Capital
Peter
Schultz
pschultz@truelinkcap.com
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SOURCE Truelink Capital