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Diversified’s UK & Europe division has acquired Smart Buildings Media Limited (SBM), gaining the Smart Buildings Show event and two digital publications, Smart Buildings Magazine and Smart Infrastructure Magazine, the company announced Oct. 14.
Smart Buildings Show is held annually at ExCeL London and features more than 100 exhibitors and 3,500 visitors, according to the announcement, drawing professionals in energy management, IT and digital infrastructure, proptech, and building controls. The most recent edition ran Oct. 14-15, 2026.
Co-Location Planned for 2027
Starting in 2027, Smart Buildings Show will be co-located with Digital Construction Week and GEO Business at ExCeL London, running June 23-24. The show will retain its own entrance and identity while operating alongside the two other events, according to Diversified. Combined, organizers project the three shows will bring together more than 350 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from the built environment sector.
Diversified UK & Europe acquired Digital Construction Week in 2018 and launched Digital Construction North in 2024, according to the company.
Leadership Transition
John Hatcher, SBM co-owner, editor and conference director, and Sales Manager Claire Hatchett will join Diversified UK & Europe as part of the deal.
John Hatcher, SBM co-owner, editor and conference director, will join Diversified UK & Europe as part of the deal. Photo via LinkedIn
“These are exciting times in the smart buildings industry, and Diversified’s acquisition of Smart Buildings Show is a reflection of how the sector has grown,” Hatcher said. “Diversified will be able to take the event to the next level.”
Carsten Holm, managing director of Diversified UK & Europe, said the acquisition “is a strong fit with what we already do as a successful, growing organizer,” adding that the company plans to work with Hatcher, Hatchett and the exhibitor community going forward.
Oakley Dyer, Diversified’s chief corporate development officer, said the company “continues to look for strategic acquisition opportunities, both in the UK and Europe and across the other regions where Diversified operates.”
Carsten Holm, managing director of Diversified UK & Europe, said the acquisition “is a strong fit with what we already do as a successful, growing organizer.” Photo via LinkedIn
Context: Diversified’s Recent Acquisition Activity
Diversified is a global B2B events and digital media company headquartered in Portland, Maine, with divisions spanning Diversified USA, Diversified UK & Europe, Diversified Australia, Diversified Canada, and Pri-Med.
Smart Buildings Media is the third Diversified acquisition this year. In January, Diversified acquired Marine Money, a ship finance events and publications brand, from International Marketing Strategies, Inc., expanding the company’s Commercial Marine portfolio.
According to that announcement, Marine Money — founded in 1987 — organizes events worldwide and produces newsletters, research and industry reports for maritime finance executives. The deal added Marine Money to a Commercial Marine lineup that already includes the International Workboat Show, Pacific Marine Expo, National Fisherman and Workboat Magazine, led by Group Vice-President Wes Doane.
Oakley Dyer, Diversified’s chief corporate development officer, said the company “continues to look for strategic acquisition opportunities, both in the UK and Europe and across the other regions where Diversified operates.” Photo via LinkedIn
Diversified retained Marine Money’s team, including owners Matt McCleery and Mike McCleery. Oakley Dyer, Diversified’s chief corporate development officer, was quoted in that release as well, saying the company had “been actively seeking to expand our existing portfolio, including our Commercial Marine offerings.”
In March, Diversified UK & Europe acquired Workspace Design Show, an event held at the Business Design Centre in London and at RAI Amsterdam, along with its co-founders Esha and Charlie Bark-Jones and Sales Manager Roshan Rebello. The event’s most recent London edition — held Feb. 25-26 — drew more than 5,000 visitors and 140 speakers, its strongest showing to date, according to Diversified.
Before that, the most recent acquisition reported by TSNN was Diversified’s purchase of Midwest Solar Expo, announced Nov. 15, 2024, which expanded the company’s Clean Energy portfolio alongside events including Intersolar & Energy Storage North America and Energy Storage North America. See the original TSNN coverage: Diversified Communications Acquires Midwest Solar Expo.
