GES Expands Capabilities with Acquisition of CSG Creative to Enhance Marketing Services
GES Expands Capabilities with CSG Creative Acquisition
In a strategic move to bolster its marketing services portfolio, Global Experience Specialists (GES) has officially announced the acquisition of CSG Creative, a prominent agency known for its creative and marketing services tailored for associations and the exhibition sector. This acquisition, made public on November 5, 2026, represents a significant milestone for GES as it seeks to deepen its expertise in event marketing and leverage the extensive history of CSG Creative.
Expanding Expertise
With this acquisition, GES aims to enhance its marketing prowess by merging its global exhibition services with CSG's established success in driving participation levels and revenue growth at events. Derek Linde, the CEO of GES, emphasized the opportunity to complement existing services with CSG’s impressive portfolio, which includes more than 25 years of proven strategies in the industry.
"CSG has carved out a reputation for excellence through strategic marketing and measurable outcomes that elevate event growth. This acquisition stands as a testament to our commitment to offering specialized expertise that adds value to our clients, helping them craft stronger brands and engage their audiences effectively," said Linde.
The combined capabilities of GES and CSG Creative are expected to create new pathways for both organizations, enabling more effective responses to the complexities of audience engagement and market dynamics in the evolving event landscape.
A Legacy of Success
CSG Creative has built a strong presence in the association and event marketing sectors, executing notable campaigns that have continuously elevated client brands. The agency's President and Founder, Paige Cardwell, stated, "Joining forces with GES empowers us with a global platform to share our expertise with a wider array of event organizers, while also offering our talented team new opportunities for growth. We look forward to continuing our legacy of service excellence and innovation."
CSG will retain its name and serve its existing clients with the same experienced team that has been dedicated to its mission since inception. This continuity aims to ensure that CSG's clients feel reassured as they benefit from an expanded list of services under the GES umbrella, while also affording CSG the chance to contribute its marketing insight across all GES business lines.
Looking Forward
The announcement has been echoed positively by Robert Harar, Chairman of National Trade Productions, Inc., the former parent company of CSG Creative. Harar acknowledged the accomplishments of the CSG team under NTP and expressed optimism about the future growth trajectory now that CSG will operate under GES’ extensive resources. This bodes well for all organizations involved and symbolizes a promising chapter for CSG, GES, and NTP moving forward.
GES, with a robust nearly 90-year history, is a leader in live event solutions, offering an array of services that bring client visions to life through immersive brand experiences. This strategy not only connects audiences but also drives significant business success for clients. Meanwhile, CSG Creative is recognized for its strategic marketing acumen, helping associations build their brands and grow audience engagement through multi-channel marketing strategies.
As the event landscape continues to evolve, this acquisition positions both GES and CSG Creative to remain at the forefront of industry innovation and client service excellence, equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow's event environments.