Apollo Global Management has combined Questex and Emerald into a single new company called Forge, a new venture that will focused largely on the live events businesses of both brands, the company announced last week.
The move comes after Apollo Funds closed on its acquisition of Questex and Emerald last month. Both companies operate business-to-business publications — Questex produces news coverage and analysis under the Fierce Networks and StreamTV Insider brands — that serve as a marketing vehicle for their live events, including the annual StreamTV Show.
Forge brings together Emerald’s trade shows, conferences and commerce-driven products with Questex’s events, media brands and digital engagement model, executives said in a statement. The combined company is being positioned as a year-round partner to customers, with engagement extending before, during and after live events.
Forge said the brand is built around the promise “Moving Markets,” reflecting its goal of connecting customers with industry audiences, data and communities.
“Today marks the beginning of Forge, a company built on the strengths of Emerald and Questex,” Forge CEO Paul Miller said. “Together we are now the largest B2B events and media company in North America, and one of the largest in the world.”
Miller said the combined company will use data, talent and scale to deliver value to customers throughout the year, not only around live events.
“Under Apollo Funds’ ownership, we will keep investing in our products, our people and the markets we serve,” Miller promised. “That’s what it means to move markets.”
Miller was previously named Chief Executive Officer of the combined company and will lead Forge alongside an executive team announced in July. Forge also announced its newly appointed Board of Directors, which includes Miller, representatives of Apollo Funds and three independent directors with experience across media, events and information services.
The independent directors are Andy Bird, former President of Walt Disney International and former Chief Executive Officer of Pearson; Lara Boro, former Chief Executive Officer of The Economist Group and former Chief Executive Officer of Informa Intelligence; and Simon Kimble, former Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Clarion Events.
Forge said the board will help guide the company’s long-term strategy as it invests in its portfolio and expands the markets it serves. Apollo Funds’ ownership will support continued investment in people, products and technology as Forge works to extend customer engagement beyond individual events.
The Forge brand will begin appearing across events, websites and customer-facing platforms over the coming weeks and months.
The StreamTV Show returns to Denver in August 2027, with regional shows scheduled for Europe and Asia throughout next year.
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Disclosure: The Desk was an editorial partner of the StreamTV Show in 2026, and the author of this story contributed to StreamTV Insider for several years.
