RELX Reports Strong 2024 Results, Highlights Growth in AI-Driven Analytics for Events Industry
February 13, 2025
RELX, which owns independent event organizer RX, reported strong revenue and profit growth for 2024—with underlying revenue increasing 7% while adjusted operating profit rose 10% year over year, according to its 2024 results published on February 13. RX, the exhibitions division, reported 11% underlying revenue growth and adjusted operating profit of 31% for 2024, compared with 2023.
By the numbers: The Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 Index company reported revenues of £9.43 billion (approximately $11.73 billion USD) and adjusted operating profit of £3.2 billion (around $3.98 billion USD). In 2024, exhibitions made up 11% of RELX total revenue.
Exhibition trends: In 2024, RX underlying revenue grew at a slower pace than 2021-2023 after exhibitions revenue declined 69% in 2020 due to COVID. RX reported 2024 revenues of £1,239 million ($1,579 million USD), with exhibitors representing 74% of the total and visitors and other making up 26%. In terms of geography, 42% of RX revenues come from Europe, 19% from North America, and 39% from the rest of the world.
Context: RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers in the Risk, Scientific, Technical & Medical, Legal, and Exhibitions sectors. With more than 36,000 employees, RELX has a market capitalization of $96.2 billion (up from $86.3 billion in August 2024), according to its website.
Deeper dive: In addition to its headquarters in London, RX has offices in Paris; Düsseldorf, Germany; Norwalk, Conn.; Mexico City; São Paulo; Beijing; Shanghai; Tokyo; Singapore; and Sydney. With 3,300 employees worldwide (compared with 3,500 in 2023), RX has a portfolio of events serving 41 industry sectors. In 2024, RX produced 282 face-to-face events in 25 countries, down slightly from 286 events in 2023. Those events attracted more than 6 million participants, according to RX corporate communications.
What they’re saying: RELX CEO Erik Engstrom attributed the company’s success to its ongoing shift toward high-growth analytics and decision tools, which provide enhanced value to customers across industries, including the trade show and events sector. “Our improving long-term growth trajectory continues to be driven by the ongoing shift in business mix towards higher growth analytics and decision tools that deliver enhanced value to our customers across market segments,” Engstrom said.
Related: RELX Delivers Revenue, Profit Growth in First Half of 2024
Need to know: RELX remained active in acquisitions and portfolio optimization, completing five acquisitions for £195 million (approximately $242 million USD) while disposing of seven assets for £95 million (around $118 million USD).
Update on Corporate Social Responsibility: RELX reported 51% of its employees are female, while 46% of managers are female (up from 42% in 2020) and 32% of senior leaders are female (up from 28% in 2020). In terms of environmental sustainability, all key metrics improved in 2024, with reductions in total energy, waste sent to landfill, and water usage year over year. Detailed results can be found in the full investor presentation here.
Outlook for 2025: Looking ahead, RELX anticipates another year of strong underlying revenue and profit growth. The company’s AI-powered analytics tools are expected to play an increasingly significant role in sectors, such as trade shows and business events, helping organizers optimize operations, improve audience targeting, and enhance exhibitor engagement.
Related: Three Global Trade Show Producers Post Double-Digit Revenue Growth
Note: USD conversions are approximate and based on an exchange rate of 1 GBP = 1.2435 USD as of February 6, 2025.
Main image: RELX headquarters in London, Photos: RELX
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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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