Tarsus Regulatory News (TRS)

11 November 2014

Tarsus Group plc

Interim Management Statement

Tarsus Group plc (LSE: TRS 'Tarsus', the 'Group' or 'Company'), the international business-to-business media group, is today publishing its Interim Management Statement for the period 1 July 2014 to 10 November 2014.

Overview

The Group's trading in the third quarter was in line with our expectations with key events performing well as we continue to focus upon the implementation of our "Quickening the Pace" strategy. The outlook for the 2014 full year remains in line with management expectations with current like-for-like bookings 8% ahead of 2013 (adjusted for biennial events). Given the current geopolitical situation we retain a cautious view in the near term although forward bookings for the Group's major events in 2015 remain strong.

Trading

Labelexpo Americas, the Group's largest event this year, took place in September 2014 in Chicago. It produced a very good performance with strong visitor attendance and record re-bookings for the 2016 event.

Zuchex, the annual international housewares and gift exhibition and Sign, the annual advertising and digital printing fair, were both held in Istanbul in September 2014 and performed well. The Group is in the process of replicating Zuchex into new high growth markets and the first edition of the brand in Jakarta will take place on 13-15 November 2014.

The August 2014 edition of Off-Price, the biannual discount clothing and accessories event held in Las Vegas, again delivered a solid result.

The first edition of the Cardiometabolic Health Congress ('CMHC') under the Group's ownership since its acquisition in February 2014, took place in Boston in October 2014. The event was very well attended and produced a performance in line with the Group's acquisition case.

Developments

During the year the Group embarked on its stated strategy of broadening its preventative medical education offering with the launch of the Metabolic Medical Institute ('MMI'). The Group's Medical Division separately announced today the acquisition of 100% of the South Beach Symposium, a market leading event held annually in Miami focusing on all aspects of dermatology along with a shortly to be launched online education business. Both the event and the planned new online education platform are complementary to Tarsus' existing medical business and will accelerate MMI's move into the mainstream medical market.

In July 2014 the Group acquired 60% of the 3D Printshow which has growth opportunities in many territories and strong synergies with the existing Tarsus portfolio. The first exhibitions under Tarsus' ownership took place in London in September 2014 and Paris in October 2014 and both were in line with management's expectations.

Outlook

The key remaining events in 2014 are tracking in line with our expectations. As previously announced, medical educational revenues are tracking behind 2013 owing principally to the uncertainty caused by Obamacare which has delayed investments by doctors in the US. In the medium term, with the launch of MMI, this is expected to be a positive driver for the preventative medicine market as doctors seek to diversify their practices.

Our Chinese auto-aftermarket exhibition, AAITF, will move to Shenzhen from Guangzhou in 2015 and the Group continues to invest in its future growth. The major 2015 biennial events, in particular Labelexpo Europe and the Dubai Airshow, are tracking well ahead of their previous editions. However, given the current geopolitical environment we are planning cautiously for 2015.

Financial position

There have been no significant changes to the financial position of the Group since the publication of the interim results on 30 July 2014.

Douglas Emslie, Tarsus Group Managing Director, said:

"We have had a very good third quarter with strong performances across the major brands: Zuchex, Sign, Labelexpo and Offprice. We expect solid performances from our remaining shows in 2014 and the Group remains confident of delivering a good performance for the full year.

"We continue to drive our "Quickening the Pace" strategy through organic growth, brand replications and small acquisitions that accelerate our strategic goals. We are increasingly differentiating ourselves from our peers by focusing on markets in transition and on six key geographical areas: US, China, South East Asia, Dubai, Turkey and Mexico."

The Group expects to publish a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2014 on 9 January 2015.

Tarsus is hosting a Capital Markets Seminar for analysts and investors later today to be held at Skinners Hall, 8 1/2 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2SP at 4pm. The event will provide information on the Group's Medical division with an overview of the market and the Group's divisional strategy. No new material information will be made available.

For further information:

Notes to editors

Tarsus Group plc (LSE:TRS) is an international business-to-business media group with interests in exhibitions, publishing and online media. The Group operates globally in key verticals including aviation, medical, labels and packaging, discount clothing (Off-Price), housewares and automotive. Tarsus runs more than 80 events and websites and its flagship brands include the Labelexpo exhibitions in Europe, the Americas and Asia and the Dubai Airshow.

The Group operates across a worldwide network of offices in Dublin, London, Paris, Milwaukee, Boca Raton (Florida), Dubai, Shanghai, Jakarta, New Delhi and Istanbul. Tarsus is building on its strong presence in the emerging markets of the Middle East, China, Turkey, Indonesia and Mexico.