CloserStill Media is to partner with Influence Group, the US events business which brings together the major players in retail, senior living, food service, hospitality, workplace, healthcare and education.
The Influence Group team has a content-led portfolio of buyer and community-led events which feature invite-only forums, one to one meetings and networking formats, supported by virtual roundtables and custom content.
Influence Group was founded in 2013 by managing partners Michael Owens and Michael McCarthy who between them have more than 30 years of experience producing business-to-business events and custom content.
“Partnering with the Influence Group team brings a unique set of skills and event formats to CloserStill Media, while allowing us access to new market sectors in North America, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Michael and Michael, as well as their team, to the business” said Gareth Bowhill, CEO of CloserStill Media.
CloserStill Media is one of the fastest growing global events businesses, operating best-in-class B2B events throughout the US, Europe and Asia. The company delivers events across a range of industry verticals including learning and HR, enterprise technologies, eCommerce, healthcare and veterinary. CloserStill Media has experienced substantial growth in the US since entering the market in 2017 through the launch of New York Vet and multiple other regional veterinary shows, as well as the acquisition of FocusZone in 2018 which established the group as the biggest provider of corporate learning and learning technology events in the US.
“Since our first time speaking with the Influence Group team we were excited about the differentiated way in which they serve their communities,” said Dan Read, senior vice-president of CloserStill Media US. “The Influence Group team shares our passion and values in delivering best-in-class events, and we look forward to working together with them.”
Michael Owens and Michael McCarthy, co-founders of Influence Group said in a statement:
“We couldn’t have imagined joining forces with a better company and are proud to partner with CloserStill Media.
“We look forward to bringing our knowledge and passion for bringing people together to our new partner to help reach even more business leaders with quality content and meaningful networking.”
Influence Group will retain its existing operating structure with Michael Owens and Michael McCarthy leading the business as managing partners working alongside CloserStill Media’s US leadership.
