Freeman, a provider of live events and brand experiences, has acquired Convention Data Services (CDS), an event registration, business intelligence and lead management company. 

Freeman has significantly added to its global event registration and digital services offerings, having also acquired Info Salons in 2018. 

“Show organizers are asking for simple, unified and effective ways to create a better experience for their teams and attendees around the world,” said Bob Priest-Heck, CEO of Freeman.

He added, “The addition of CDS to Freeman’s suite of digital tools and services creates a global platform focused on increasing attendee engagement and driving business results.”                                    

This acquisition further enables Freeman to deliver on its intention to lead and grow the category of live experiences and innovate the medium of live by extending its reach across the event life cycle.

According to Priest-Heck, this starts with the registration process and leverages data for insights to create a better, more personalized experience. 

“The registration process is highly connected to an event’s customer experience,” Priest-Heck said. “We view the combination of CDS with Info Salons as essential to delivering on our joint intention to offer a valued suite of digital products across the event life cycle.”

CDS has been serving the needs of leading show organizers for over 30 years, providing world-class event registration and digital services. 

“As the industry evolves, we must continue to grow and offer solutions for the ever-changing needs of our clients,” said John Kimball, president and CEO of CDS. “We are now positioned to do that and be part of a broader, global, world-class company.” 

He added, “Together we will design the future of live events – creating scale, delivering exceptional customer service, and bringing even greater value to the market.” 

Kimball will lead the combined unit of CDS and Info Salons, reporting to Richard Maranville, Freeman’s chief product and platforms officer. CDS will continue to operate under its existing organizational structure to serve their customers.

CDS has secured several new or renewed contracts lately, including American Institute of Chemical Engineers, International Carwash Association and SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, to name a few.