Live Design Sold to Questex

Questex, a global organization billing itself as a marketplace platform that "enables rich engagement connecting marketers and markets with continuous business opportunities," has purchased Live Design, the online publication and well-known trade show, from Informa, its most recent owner.

The deal is part of a larger purchase of Informa's "live experience" assets, which include such shows as Club Industry and World Tea Expo. Says the company in a statement, "The acquired portfolio aligns perfectly with Questex's focus on the Experience Economy and will join the company's other assets focused on the hospitality industry." Interestingly enough, one of the company's existing assets is the nightclub and bar show; LDI was conceived in 1988 as an alternative to it.

In a statement, the company notes, "Questex's mission is to create a world-class information services business by advancing companies who help people live longer, healthier, and better lives through the Experience Economy."

"The Experience Economy is here. Companies driven by 'experiences' have a competitive advantage with business growth. In fact, they grow four times faster than companies that don't embrace the Experience Economy," says Paul Miller, CEO, Questex. "Research shows that 74 percent of consumers prioritize experiences over products or things. The customer experience has taken over from price and product features as the key brand differentiator because individuals want to participate in meaningful work completed on their own timetables. As businesses compete for the attention of customers, experiences become a unique selling point."

The live experience assets also include the rights to the XLive brands, including the XLive Esports Summit and WFX Network.

Questex has offices in New York; Boston; Washington, DC; London; Hong Kong; and Singapore.