Easyfairs has acquired The AI Conference, a three-year-old applied artificial intelligence event held in San Francisco. The deal is Easyfairs’ second U.S. acquisition and its fourth U.S. event, capping a rapid North American expansion that the company began in 2025.
Easyfairs’ US expansion and recent deals
Easyfairs accelerated its U.S. presence beginning in 2025. In June 2025 it launched Coiltech North America, described by the company as its largest launch ever; in December 2025 it acquired the Energy Projects Conference & Expo in Houston. In July 2026 Easyfairs announced the Digital Accountancy Show USA, a launch planned for Austin in May 2027, and in August 2026 it completed the acquisition of European organiser Xpo Group, which runs 61 events across 17 countries. Easyfairs said additional U.S. launches and acquisitions are in the pipeline.
Event details and strategic rationale
The AI Conference, launched in 2023, expects 5,500 attendees at its 2026 edition, scheduled for Sept. 29–Oct. 1 at Pier 48 in San Francisco, with 120 speakers already announced. The acquisition positions Easyfairs in the applied AI sector while deepening its U.S. foothold in a market where the Brussels-based organiser has been expanding through both launches and acquisitions.
Matt Benyon, Easyfairs CEO, said: “Artificial intelligence speaks directly to our company slogan and mission statement, ‘Visit the Future’. There is no better place to showcase that vision than San Francisco, where many of tomorrow’s AI technologies are being developed today.”
Shon Burton, founder and CEO of The AI Conference, said: “The true impact of any new technology is determined by how it is applied to industry, commerce and everyday life. Easyfairsgives us the reach and resources to meet” growing demand for collaboration between technologists and business leaders.
What to expect from the 2026 programme
The AI Conference will retain its existing team and operational approach while gaining access to Easyfairs’ international events expertise, operational resources and global network. The 2026 event will open with Day ZERØ, an exclusive pre-conference day for senior AI leaders, followed by two days of five-track programming, keynote presentations, a Startup Showdown and an Innovation Hub.
The conference focuses on how AI systems are built, deployed, governed and scaled in real-world environments, covering topics from fundamental research and large language models to AI frameworks, platforms and solution development. CapM advised The AI Conference on the transaction.
