As readers in America prepare to celebrate the country’s independence this weekend, Easyfairs’ acquisition is a signal of how challenging it is to remain independent in the meetings industry. Our team has been keeping close tabs on the uptick of M&A activity since a flurry of deals at the close of 2025. After so many major moves, it’s easy to wonder how many more companies can be bought and sold.
Read on to learn more about the move, along with key insights from the founder of MCI’s Data + AI Lab and a full rundown of the top vendors in virtual event management platforms.
If you’re in the U.S., enjoy the holiday weekend.
AWARDS DEADLINE EXTENDED
Due to the overwhelming amount of interest, we want to make sure everyone has the chance to showcase their most creative and impactful work in travel. That’s why we’re extending the final deadline for the 2026 Skift IDEA Awards until July 6th at 11:59 p.m. ET.
This is your opportunity to gain global recognition for your bold ideas, standout campaigns, and inspiring experiences that are pushing travel forward.
FEATURED STORIES
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by Miguel Neves
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Easyfairs Buys Out Nordic Live Expo, Latest Move in Events Consolidation Wave
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Wordly + Skift Meetings
Get a closer look at Wordly, the AI-powered translation and captioning service that ensures all attendees can interact with educational materials.
FREE REPORT
Our latest report uncovers how AI is transforming the event experience and provides crucial insights for anyone looking to invest in event tech today.
What’s inside:
A vision of a reimagined the ideal AI-powered event experience.
A plain-language explainer on LLMs, agentic AI, and MCP.
130+ AI-native event tech tools mapped across event phases.
Questions to ask and red flags to look out for buying event tech.
EVENTS
On September 22, Skift Meetings' flagship event will bring together event leaders for a deep-dive on how the business of events is reinventing itself. This game-changing gathering gives event professionals the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly shifting business and geopolitical landscape.
DON’T MISS THESE STORIES
Great events are built on strategy, innovation, and the right resources. The Skift Meetings Toolkit is your go-to hub for best practices in managing meetings and events.
