Waterland Private Equity has sold its stake in PREMIUM Group to Clarion Events. PREMIUM Group is Germany’s leading organiser of trade fairs, conferences and events in and around the fashion sector. The group’s formats include a number of fashion trade fairs, such as PREMIUM, SEEK, BRIGHT and Show & Order. Anita Tillmann will remain in her position as CEO and Managing Partner of the PREMIUM Group.

“We are delighted that, with Clarion Events, we have found a new strategic owner from the trade fair world that will continue to drive the growth of PREMIUM Group. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Anita Tillmann and her team for their outstanding cooperation and wish them every success in the future,” says Jörg Dreisow, Managing Partner of Waterland. The independent private equity investment company purchased its stake in the event and trade fair organisation company in 2014 and has since made a significant contribution to its growth toward becoming the sectors market leader, in particular by implementing a targeted consolidation strategy.

Expansion of leading market position

In 2015, Waterland oversaw the purchase of the BRIGHT Tradeshow, a renowned trade fair for skate and streetwear held during Berlin Fashion Week, as an add-on acquisition to the PREMIUM Group. Another milestone in the expansion of the leading market position in the fashion trade fair segment was the acquisition of the “Show & Order” trade show concept, which has since developed into an integral part of Berlin’s trade fair offering.

The launch of #FASHIONTECH 2015 also cemented the PREMIUM Group’s trend-setting position in the industry. Held in Berlin, #FASHIONTECH is a conference that focuses on the future of fashion and addresses topics that deal with the technological development and digitalisation of the fashion industry.

A passion for innovation and dynamism

“I would like to offer Waterland my heartfelt thanks for the decisive supporting role it played in the growth of the PREMIUM Group and our excellent cooperative partnership in recent years. We would now like to continue with our qualitative and quantitative growth and investment in the PREMIUM Group Portfolio. Clarion Events shares our passion for innovation and dynamism, making it an ideal partner for the further development of our existing business,” says Anita Tillmann, CEO of the PREMIUM Group. Jörg Arntz, who has supported her for four years as Co-CEO, will continue to strategically develop and manage the company’s events from its Berlin location.

The transaction was agreed upon in October 2017 and the first events under new ownership were held in January 2018.