Emerald Holding, Inc., a major producer of trade shows and conferences in the United States, has acquired the Plant Based World Expo (PBW) and its associated media platform, Plant Based World Pulse, from JD Events (JDE). The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition includes both the North American and European editions of the Plant Based World Expo, as well as the digital content platform PBW Pulse. These assets will now be integrated into Emerald’s portfolio of food-related events, which includes established industry trade shows such as the International Pizza Expo.
JDE passes the torch amid rapid growth
Plant Based World Expo was launched by JDE in 2019 to provide a business-focused platform for stakeholders in the plant-based sector. JDE Founder and CEO Joel Davis described the decision to sell as a result of the show’s rapid growth outpacing the firm’s operational scope.
“We have been launching, building, and divesting events for over 23 years now. It is our unique business model to prove a show concept, establish market leadership, and then find a new owner to take the business to the next level. This was the right time to sell PBW,” Davis said.
The Plant Based World Expo team will remain in place following the acquisition. Benjamin Davis, content chair at PBW, stated that the original mission of the event—to serve as a centralized hub for plant-based business innovation—will continue under Emerald’s ownership. “When we first wrote the business plan for Plant Based World Expo, we set out to create a platform that could serve as a hub for the entire plant-based food industry,” Davis said.
Emerald to scale PBW’s growth potential
Jonathan Morley, general manager of Plant Based World, added, “Our ability to support the growth of the industry is now elevated through Emerald’s acquisition. It validates the industry and ensures PBW will have the resources it needs to continue leading the charge for years to come.”
The upcoming editions of the Plgant Based World Expo are scheduled for late 2025, with the European event to be held in London on November 26-27, and the North American edition in New York City on December 2-3. The 2024 events will proceed as previously planned, while future iterations may include expanded programming and partnerships with other food industry shows to increase reach and cross-sector engagement.
Emerald executives view the acquisition as a strategic move into what they describe as a high-growth market. Gannon Brousseau, executive vice president of Emerald’s Food Group, said, “Plant Based World represents a high-growth, high-potential area that is more than just a trend—it’s an exciting new frontier.”
