Carlsquare advised the founder and shareholder of B2B summit organizer Trailblazer Summits on its sale of a majority stake to CloserStill Media Group, the producer of market-leading B2B events, exhibitions and conferences, backed by Providence Equity Partners.
Trailblazer Summits GmbH (“Trailblazer”) is one of Germany’s fastest-growing events businesses. Based out of Hamburg, Trailblazer produces a series of two-day, content-led confex events for several key German market verticals such as logistics, accounting, procurement, digital marketing and construction.
Attracted by their creative formats, contemporary venues, expertly curated content and networking programs, Trailblazer brings together professional audiences with significant buying power—enjoying high retention among supplies and industry vendors as well as high repeat rates of attending organizations. The summits focus heavily on the impact of technology in traditional industry segments and on connecting innovators with industry leadership.
CloserStill Media (“CloserStill”) specializes in high-value, content-driven events and the nurturing of B2B or professional communities. With more than 650 staff, CloserStill operates an international portfolio of events spanning a wide range of sub-verticals in the business technologies, healthcare and future transport and infrastructure sectors.
The acquisition of Trailblazer means that CloserStill’s Germany portfolio now exceeds 25 exhibition and conference events. Trailblazer founder and CEO Thomas Promny will continue to lead the business and its 30-strong team. Astrid Jaeger, CloserStill’s Germany Managing Director, joins Trailblazer’s board.
“We are very pleased to welcome Thomas and his Trailblazer Summits team into the Group. We have made no secret of our continued ambition for the German market and its untapped potential, and this partnership is another important stepping stone to expand our presence in Europe’s largest economy.” – Gareth Bowhill, CEO, CloserStill Media
“We are proud of the business we have built and delighted about the opportunity this partnership brings to us. Despite its size and global footprint, CloserStill is an entrepreneurial company which understands our own firm and shares our ambition to be one of Germany’s largest event businesses. Many thanks to Mark Miller and the Carlsquare team; they are true professionals, and we were delighted to have them at our side throughout the transaction process.” – Thomas Promny, founder and CEO, Trailblazer Summits
Carlsquare served as the exclusive financial advisor to Trailblazer Summits GmbH.
