GES Acquires CSG Creative to Expand Marketing Services

The deal adds a marketing and creative agency focused on association and exhibition clients to GES's global experiential marketing operations.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Advertising

GES Acquires CSG Creative to Expand Marketing Services

GES, a global exhibition and experiential marketing services company, has acquired CSG Creative from National Trade Productions, Inc., according to an announcement dated November 5, 2026. CSG Creative will operate within GES as an operating company and retain its established brand.

Why it matters

The acquisition combines GES's global exhibition services with CSG's expertise in growing event attendance and revenue, expanding the marketing capabilities GES can offer its clients. It also creates new opportunities for CSG Creative to serve GES clients across the enterprise.

GES brings a legacy of almost 90 years to the deal, while CSG Creative, which has operated for nearly 25 years, joins as an operating company that keeps its own brand. The purchase price and revenue impact of the transaction were not disclosed.

The players

GES

GES is a global exhibition and experiential marketing services company with a legacy of almost 90 years.

CSG Creative

CSG Creative is a marketing and creative services agency specializing in the association and exhibitions industries that has operated for nearly 25 years.

National Trade Productions, Inc.

National Trade Productions, Inc. is the company that sold CSG Creative to GES and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Derek Linde

Derek Linde is the CEO of GES, the global exhibition and experiential marketing company that acquired CSG Creative.

Paige Cardwell

Paige Cardwell is the President and Founder of CSG Creative, a firm she helped build over nearly 25 years.

The details

CSG Creative, led by President and Founder Paige Cardwell, is a marketing and creative services agency serving the association and exhibitions industries. Cardwell and the CSG Creative team will remain in place to continue serving existing clients, while GES CEO Derek Linde leads the combined company.

November 5, 2026: GES announces acquisition of CSG Creative from National Trade Productions, Inc.

Market Landscape

The deal reflects a pattern of large exhibition and experiential marketing companies buying specialized agencies to widen their offerings to event organizers. GES's move positions it to compete more broadly for association and trade-show clients as audience and market dynamics grow more complex.

Existing CSG Creative clients will continue working with the same team led by Paige Cardwell, under the CSG Creative brand. Event organizers working with GES may see expanded marketing services as the two companies combine their capabilities.

The takeaway

Event organizers and marketers should watch how the combined GES and CSG Creative offerings develop, since the deal links exhibition services with audience-growth expertise. Existing relationships with CSG Creative are set to continue without a change in leadership.