Onex' Emerald Expositions to Acquire GLM

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 20, 2013) -

All amounts in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated

Onex Corporation ("Onex") (TSX:OCX) announced today that Emerald Expositions ("Emerald") has agreed to acquire George Little Management, LLC ("GLM") for $335 million, subject to certain adjustments at closing. GLM operates several business-to-business tradeshows in the United States.

In June 2013, Onex Partners III acquired Emerald, a leading operator of large, business-to-business tradeshows. As part of its investment thesis for the business, Onex believed it could grow Emerald through accretive add-on acquisitions of smaller exhibition businesses in existing and adjacent end-markets.

Commenting on the acquisition of GLM, Onex' Amir Motamedi said, "We are pleased with this significant step in the expansion of Emerald's business. With its leading shows in complementary end-markets, GLM will be a great addition to Emerald's platform."

In conjunction with this transaction, Onex Partners III, Onex' $4.7 billion private equity fund, will make an equity investment of approximately $140 million to acquire GLM, of which Onex' share is approximately $34 million as a Limited Partner in the Fund. The balance of the acquisition price will be funded with debt financing. The transaction is anticipated to close in January 2014, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

About Onex

With offices in Toronto, New York and London, Onex is one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms. Onex acquires and builds high-quality businesses in partnership with talented management teams. The Company has approximately $16 billion of assets under management, including $5 billion of Onex capital, in private equity, credit securities and real estate. Onex invests its capital directly and as the largest limited partner in each of its Funds.

Onex' businesses have assets of $44 billion, generate annual revenues of $34 billion and employ approximately 229,000 people worldwide. Onex shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock symbol OCX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.onex.com. The Company's security filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.

About Emerald Expositions

Emerald is a leading operator of large business-to-business tradeshows in the United States, producing more than 65 tradeshows and conference events per year connecting over 335,000 buyers and sellers across nine diversified end-markets, including general merchandise, sports, hospitality and retail design, jewelry, photography, decorated apparel, building, healthcare and military. Emerald is headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, California. The company's shows are typically the most prominent and important for exhibitors and attendees within their various industries. For more information on Emerald, please visit www.emeraldexpositions.com.

About GLM

GLM brings efficiencies and opportunities to the flow of merchandise - from product development/manufacturer to vendor/brand manager to retailer to consumer - through tradeshows, consumer events and digital platforms. GLM events include NY NOW™, International Contemporary Furniture Fair®, Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, National Stationery Show®, Surf Expo®, SURTEX® and The Original Miami Beach Antique Show®, among others. For more information on GLM, please visit www.glmmarkets.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and are subject to known and unknown uncertainties and risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events or otherwise.