By Max Fellows, Founder of allpoints
January set a strong pace for M&A activity across the industry. While February may appear quieter on the surface, there is still clear momentum as agencies continue to scale, integrate and invest in future capability. Take a look at four notable moves from the past month that show us where the market is heading:
Davis Experience and Events Makes First Strategic Acquisition with Whitelight Events – Ireland / UK
Deal: Davis Experience & Events has acquired Dublin-based Whitelight Events, marking its first acquisition as a group. The transaction brings Whitelight into the Davis fold while preserving both brands and relocating Whitelight’s operations to Davis’s Dublin headquarters.
Why does it matter? – For Davis, the acquisition expands delivery capacity across corporate and public-sector programming while adding Whitelight’s production expertise and client base. It underscores a broader trend where regional agencies are leveraging acquisition as a lever for scale and talent investment without diluting existing business. With up to 10 new roles expected over the next two years, it also shows how growth-oriented transactions can reinforce employment and service depth.
High Output, L!VE and Sardis Merge to Form Ansera – USA
Deal: Three specialist agencies, High Output, LLC, L!VE, and Sardis Media have combined under a single integrated brand called Ansera, which is backed by Willstown Capital.
Why does it matter? – This is a purposeful platform merger built around research and human experience design. Ansera’s positioning around the “study of awe” and research-driven engagement reflects a shift in buyer expectations. Clients want measurable impact, not just execution. It also reflects a maturing sector where integrating creative strategy, technical production, and insight elevates the proposition above a commodity model.
DRPG Expands Film and Content Offering with Acquisition of Liquona – UK
Deal: DRPG has acquired Liquona, a film and content production specialist, expanding its creative and brand storytelling capabilities.
Why does it matter? – This M&A reflects how event and experiential agencies are deepening content services to meet client demand for compelling narrative and broadcast-quality production. Content is increasingly inseparable from experience, and this acquisition strengthens DRPG’s ability to deliver integrated creative outputs across LIVE, hybrid and digital environments.
Levy Acquires The iLUKA Collective to Expand Global Experience Capability – Global / USA
Deal: Levy has acquired sports marketing agency The iLUKA Collective, broadening its premium brand activation and hospitality expertise.
Why does it matter? – Experience is becoming more immersive and strategically layered. By adding specialist capability in global sports and brand engagement, Levy is reinforcing its end-to-end proposition in the premium experience economy.
IAEE Acquires Exhibitor Group – USA
Deal: The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has acquired Exhibitor Group, including its flagship event, Exhibitor Live and the CTSM certification programme.
Why does it matter? – This is one of the most significant association-level acquisitions in recent years. By bringing together organisers and exhibitors within one structure, IAEE is expanding its influence across the full trade show value chain. It also strengthens its education and accreditation portfolio, positioning the organisation at the centre of industry standards and professional development.
Platinum Equity Acquires Czarnowski – USA / Global
Deal: Private equity firm Platinum Equity has acquired global exhibit and experience builder Czarnowski, with leadership transitioning as part of the deal.
Why does it matter? – Institutional capital continues to show confidence in experiential infrastructure businesses. Exhibit houses with scale, long-standing client relationships and global delivery capability remain attractive assets. This transaction reinforces the trend of private equity backing operationally mature players in the live events supply chain.
Wizard Studios and Vox Productions Merge – USA
Deal: Wizard Studios Events and VOX Productions have merged, forming a bi-coastal production company with integrated national capability.
Why does it matter? – Geographic expansion paired with cultural alignment is often the foundation of successful mergers. This combination strengthens coast-to-coast delivery while building on an existing collaborative relationship, reducing integration risk and accelerating growth potential.
Final Thoughts
February’s activity reveals three defining themes shaping the market.
First, capability expansion remains the dominant driver. Whether through content production, research-led strategy or specialist sector expertise, agencies are seeking to deepen what they can deliver, not simply to grow headcount. Second, platform building is increasing. From association consolidation to multi-agency mergers, organisations are creating broader systems that serve multiple stakeholders across the events value chain. Third, private equity confidence remains strong. Institutional investors continue to back scalable experiential infrastructure businesses, signalling a long-term belief in the sector’s resilience and profitability.
While the volume of deals may fluctuate month to month, the direction is clear, the industry is consolidating, investing in specialisation, and strengthening its foundations for sustained growth through 2026.