Tarsus Regulatory News (TRS)

7 Jan 2008 07:00

Tarsus Group PLC07 January 2008 7 January 2008 TARSUS GROUP PLC TRADING UPDATE Tarsus Group plc ('Tarsus' or 'the Group'), the international media group withinterests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media hascontinued to trade well in the second half of 2007 with strong performances fromall of its key products. Group like-for-like organic revenue growth for theyear to 31 December 2007 has been 15% and, as a result, the Board expects fullyear 2007 results to be towards the top end of market expectations. Labelexpo Europe, the Group's second largest exhibition, produced revenue growth10% above that of the 2005 event and rebookings for 2009 are already at 90% ofthe total 2007 event. The three important French exhibitions Heavent (event marketing), IP Convergence (IT) and Educatec (education) were all well ahead of2006 and contributed to strong like-for-like organic revenue growth from theFrench division of 14% for the year as a whole. The final medical event of theyear, Anti-Ageing Las Vegas, was a great success with revenues and attendees up35% and 30% respectively over 2006. The development of our emerging markets portfolio was significantly acceleratedwith the November 2007 acquisition of Fairs & Exhibitions Limited, whose keyevent is the Dubai Air Show. This biennial show, which is now the Group's largest, was extremely well received with visitor numbers up nearly 30% from the2005 event to 45,000 and record customer orders in excess of US$100 billion.The event will move to a new purpose-built venue in 2009 which has resulted inrequests for large upgrades in space from major exhibitors. Other emerging market events were China-focused in the second half and our keyevent, the third edition of Labelexpo Asia in Shanghai, saw revenues rise by12% above the 2005 event and visitor numbers by 54%. Rebookings are strong and well ahead of the previous cycle. Caroo, our online business, has continued its strong momentum with like-for-likeorganic revenues up by 21% for the full year. We have appointed a newdivisional CEO in the US to drive growth in that market following theacquisition of the DMS Group in July. Outlook for 2008 The broadening of the Group's base is an important step in underpinning ourability to grow consistently in the years ahead. During 2007 we have continuedto expand the number of sectors served by the Group and made good progress in diversifying our revenues geographically. Average emerging market revenues forthe 2007/2008 cycle are expected to be approximately 16% of the total up from5% for the 2005/2006 cycle. The Group is strongly second half weighted and, with the major Labelexpo showreturning to the US from Europe in 2008, dollar exposure will be higher than in2007. Our significant events in the first quarter of 2008 - the US Off-Price show, the Mod'Amont clothing accessories event in Paris and GESS (a neweducational show in Dubai) - are developing extremely well. Overall, forwardbookings are strong and the Board remains confident that 2008 will be anotheryear of strong like-for-like growth for the Group. The Group expects to announce its preliminary results for the year to 31December 2007 on 3 March 2008. Ends For further information please contact: Tarsus Group plc: Douglas Emslie: Group Managing Director: Tel 020 8846 2700 Media: Matthew Moth :Madano Partnership: Tel: 020 7593 4000 Investors: Neville Harris : IRFocus: Tel: 020 7593 4215 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange